1918 Izhevsk Dragoon

[djbuck1]

First, thanks to my sharp eyed girlfriend, martin08, and JYD, each of whom corroborated what my (older) eyes were seeing.

This rather rare Dragoon was recently listed on GB, but I suspect that it commanded little interest because of mediocre pictures and its overall condition. Obviously, the rifle was badly corroded at some point, but has been cleaned up (though some rust remains). Also, while the seller stated that it was 1918 dated, he could not provide (viewable) pictures.

Nevertheless, this struck me as an "any condition buy," as it may be only the third known example of a 1918 Izhevsk. As is known,1918 Izhevsks are rare because of the deterioration of the Russian economy after the "November Revolution," and the stop of production at Izhevsk in August, 1918, when the workers went on strike. This was all tied up with the rapidly expanding Civil War. Izhevsk and its plant workers seem to have been Socialists not enamored of the Bolshevik takeover and so took up arms.

The rifle has no import marks, nor any indicia of Finn or SCW use. It appears to be relatively intact and complete, save the bolt. All marked parts are Izhevsk marked. It has the second pattern handguard which I believe would be correct.

The date on the shank was not visible in the GB pics. It seems to have been lightly struck, and the subsequent corrosion did not help legibility. However, it is possible to make out the 1918 date, with the "8" overstamping a "7." The tang date stamp is legible. 1918.

The wood has uniform horizontal lines, almost as if the stock had been run through some sort of planing machine. The stamp on the right side of the stock is Czarist, and it looks like someone tried to apply another roundel on the left side.

[racerguy00]

Now that's a great score.

[djbuck1]

Some additional pictures.

[djbuck1]

And a few more.

[ParrotHead]

That thing is wild!

[Fledge]

Pretty slick

[NLMosin]

First, thanks to my sharp eyed girlfriend,

Well this find forced me to make a firm stand. I sat my wife down and told her is was time to get her eyes checked. It had to be done!

Amazing find. Glad one of the group got it.

[Steve The Pirate]

Good lord that there is a hell of a rifle. Great find. . Put that in the showcase.

[Junk Yard Dog]

[Longcolt44]

This poor thing may just be going through puberty. Maybe it will clear up with a little age

[martin08]

There is such a scarcity of any Mosin Nagant rifles from 1918 that any condition will do, even in battlefield relic state!

It seems strange that the stock and metal condition would not be consistent, if they were an original pairing. It could just be poor storage? But it honestly looks like it could have been afield, somewhat protected, since the Revolution-era...

...absolutely cool gun. Wow.

[djbuck1]

First, thanks to my sharp eyed girlfriend,

Well this find forced me to make a firm stand. I sat my wife down and told her is was time to get her eyes checked. It had to be done!

Amazing find. Glad one of the group got it.

I think that Homer has a 1918 Izhevsk ex-Dragoon with a 1917 barrel and a 1918 receiver.

[djbuck1]

There is such a scarcity of any Mosin Nagant rifles from 1918 that any condition will do, even in battlefield relic state!

It seems strange that the stock and metal condition would not be consistent, if they were an original pairing. It could just be poor storage? But it honestly looks like it could have been afield, somewhat protected, since the Revolution-era...

...absolutely cool gun. Wow.

I wonder about that, too. This is a "before" pic of a 1916 M91 I have. I was able to remove 99% of the rust with diluted white vinegar, resulting in a look very similar to the metal on this 1918. But on that 1916, the wood was also affected as you see.

What is also strange is that the rear sling slots are badly corroded on the 1918 while the front are not, and the damage to the metal covers the butt plate, receiver, trigger and guard, magazine and barrel shank but not the barrel, except for the exposed front portion from the end cap to the crown.

Having several Nepal Horde guns, a storage issue did come to mind. I also wonder, given the condition of the wood around the sling slots, whether the wood was cleaned up.

[Junk Yard Dog]

Storage in a damp location for a long time, cellar probably, I have seen rust like this before on relics stored in such places. It was set standing upright on it's buttplate, damp traveled upward, bore somewhat protected. The wood on these things tend to be oil soaked, it's why they make a mess when you shoot them hot, the oil protects the wood while the metal above the woodline rusts.

[djbuck1]

A few I missed yesterday. By the way, the bolt cycles fine if a bit stiff on cocking, headspace is a go, the rifling is strong, and there doesn't look like there is any reason why this rifle can't be fired.

[neal45]

That is a really unique, interesting Mosin. You made your own luck on this one for a great find.

Thanks for taking the time to shoot all the fantastic photos.

[Rongo]

An interesting piece. Someone took some time cleaning that up.

[locomotiveguy]

Being a shooter then collector I wonder... but why put the old girl through it.

[zeebill]

Being a shooter then collector I wonder... but why put the old girl through it.

I have been going through a bunch of older Balkan M91's most with no hand guards or cleaning rods and well used counter bored bores. Many are mixed put togethers with tang dates not matching the receiver dates and bolts also different too. Many show signs of never having had hand guards and are well used with import dates around 2005 or so. A couple even still have Centuries plastic tags on the trigger guard. By now many of you are saying why bother, right. Some of them really shoot great and are a joy to see the way they look like heck and shoot and behave so well. If it goes back together and has no danger to shoot they get put through the wringer here and leave with their self respect still intact.

They were made to shoot and when you don't allow them to do that you are depriving them of their better nature and what they were created for. They may not look pristine anymore but they still do the job. I have a Dragoon that looks very similar but it has a stock with no finish and looks like it may have been underwater for awhile. Paid $125 for it and it shoots ok too. Guy had no idea it was a Dragoon and I of course never told him. I did say I like these old Russian guns if you find any more give me a call. One of my Chatelleraults came from him as a result of a call he made to me and I drove over 100 miles to get it too. Heck for $175 it was worth it. It shoots pretty good too and you should see how nice the bore looks now after shooting and proper cleaning and care.

Congrats on taking the right path forward and getting a nice rifle for what I hope was a decent price! Bill

[steelbuttplate]

He laid in a barn with Cow shit on him many moons, but somebody cleaned the barrel first. Yea I'd shoot it,the first time standing behind a big locust tree with a welding glove on. Like ZB, built to last