"Balkan" 1919 Izhevsk Dragoon showcase submission
-
- Posts: 3126
- Joined: Mon Jul 02, 2012 7:53 pm
- Location: Western PA
"Balkan" 1919 Izhevsk Dragoon showcase submission
I was able to pick up this uncommon M91 dragoon with the help of forum member Zeebill, thanks Bill! 1919 Izhevsk mosins are a lot less common than those from Tula, and even the Tula ones are scarce.
1919 was during the thick of the Russian Civil War, and the entire country was in turmoil. Izhevsk was suffering from a manpower shortage, and many if not most Izhevsks from that period often used recycled older receivers as that was the most difficult part to manufacture. Not many rifles from that period survive, and many that do show markings indicating a hardness check of the barrel and receiver. It has been speculated that due to poor quality control many were later withdrawn from service as well as lost through combat attrition etc.
This particular example appears to be what's commonly called a "balkan" import even though it is very likely it was imported through Romania. It features a beech type 2 dragoon handguard that appears to be a newly made arsenal replacement. It retains the solid dragoon barrel bands but sits in a late/post war style stock with force matched buttplate. A 1913 Izhevsk receiver was used to build it, and the bore is decent with no counter bore. There is a peened wedge behind the rear sight spring. There is also a "gearwheel" or sunburst stamp on the stock that is usually attributed to Romania.
When 1919 Izhevsks do turn up, they tend to be refurbed and converted to 91/30 specs by updating the sights. Finding one still in dragoon configuration is a big bonus.
1919 was during the thick of the Russian Civil War, and the entire country was in turmoil. Izhevsk was suffering from a manpower shortage, and many if not most Izhevsks from that period often used recycled older receivers as that was the most difficult part to manufacture. Not many rifles from that period survive, and many that do show markings indicating a hardness check of the barrel and receiver. It has been speculated that due to poor quality control many were later withdrawn from service as well as lost through combat attrition etc.
This particular example appears to be what's commonly called a "balkan" import even though it is very likely it was imported through Romania. It features a beech type 2 dragoon handguard that appears to be a newly made arsenal replacement. It retains the solid dragoon barrel bands but sits in a late/post war style stock with force matched buttplate. A 1913 Izhevsk receiver was used to build it, and the bore is decent with no counter bore. There is a peened wedge behind the rear sight spring. There is also a "gearwheel" or sunburst stamp on the stock that is usually attributed to Romania.
When 1919 Izhevsks do turn up, they tend to be refurbed and converted to 91/30 specs by updating the sights. Finding one still in dragoon configuration is a big bonus.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
On Facebook? Check out the non-sporter preservationist group at: OOOPS. Deleted by Facebook because it's evil to even discuss collectible firearms on social media these days.
- Almost_Samurai
- Posts: 115
- Joined: Mon Oct 29, 2018 6:17 am
Re: "Balkan" 1919 Izhevsk Dragoon showcase submission
Very cool!
"I come in peace. I didn’t bring artillery. But I’m pleading with you, with tears in my eyes: If you **** with me, I’ll kill you all." -Message to Iraqi leaders following the invasion. (General "MAD DOG" Mattis)
Re: "Balkan" 1919 Izhevsk Dragoon showcase submission
Looks like a great example for the showcase to me.
- Judi and her Mosins
- Posts: 965
- Joined: Mon Aug 05, 2013 2:52 pm
Re: "Balkan" 1919 Izhevsk Dragoon showcase submission
Has my vote.... To the showcase !
And will you succeed? Yes indeed, yes indeed! Ninety-eight and three-quarters percent guaranteed!”
Dr. Seuss quote
Dr. Seuss quote
-
- Posts: 74
- Joined: Wed Jan 24, 2018 8:22 pm
- Location: Michigan
- Rongo
- Administrator
- Posts: 6555
- Joined: Thu Aug 25, 2011 6:39 pm
- Location: Variable in my specific position of physical space
Re: "Balkan" 1919 Izhevsk Dragoon showcase submission
"Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it". Mark Twain
"Dang that entropy"
"Dang that entropy"
Re: "Balkan" 1919 Izhevsk Dragoon showcase submission
Interesting. I usually steer clear of Dragoons in post-war stocks, but as with some Romanian re-stocking, I can see how this happened. A very nice find.
Re: "Balkan" 1919 Izhevsk Dragoon showcase submission
Very nice!! That thing is in great shape!
1935r Izhevsk hex receiver 91/30, serial number 407, laminated stock
1942r Izhevsk round receiver 91/30 re-arsenal "parts built" gun
1944r Izhevsk round receiver M44 very smooth action
1942r Izhevsk round receiver 91/30 re-arsenal "parts built" gun
1944r Izhevsk round receiver M44 very smooth action
-
- Posts: 74
- Joined: Wed Jan 24, 2018 8:22 pm
- Location: Michigan
Re: "Balkan" 1919 Izhevsk Dragoon showcase submission
Any ideas on the gearwheel circular stamp on the stock? I have a 1916 Remington Instructie with the same mark. Any other reference to it being Romanian? I have a couple of other m91 Balkan types that have the so called pinecone stock markings but not this round stamp. It seems to be one or the other but not both. All mine have the peened sight wedge also as well as Aluminum handguard rivets.
-
- Posts: 3126
- Joined: Mon Jul 02, 2012 7:53 pm
- Location: Western PA
Re: "Balkan" 1919 Izhevsk Dragoon showcase submission
I'm hoping to complete a survey of about 100 "Balkan" m91s that I have access to. A small sample but I want to compare and document the different stamps etc to try to nail down a pattern or best case a confirmed source of them. This is the first post-war pattern 91/30 type stock I've.seen with the gearwheel stamp. All others I've seen have been m91s.Thagomizer wrote:Any ideas on the gearwheel circular stamp on the stock? I have a 1916 Remington Instructie with the same mark. Any other reference to it being Romanian? I have a couple of other m91 Balkan types that have the so called pinecone stock markings but not this round stamp. It seems to be one or the other but not both. All mine have the peened sight wedge also as well as Aluminum handguard rivets.
On Facebook? Check out the non-sporter preservationist group at: OOOPS. Deleted by Facebook because it's evil to even discuss collectible firearms on social media these days.
-
- Posts: 74
- Joined: Wed Jan 24, 2018 8:22 pm
- Location: Michigan
Re: "Balkan" 1919 Izhevsk Dragoon showcase submission
Interesting. I'm glad that someone is taking the time to sort all this out. There seems to be just enough info out there to be tantalizing but not conclusive. And perhaps we will never know. I find these Romanian rifles fascinating.
Re: "Balkan" 1919 Izhevsk Dragoon showcase submission
Beautiful rifle. Just something about the rifles coming out of Romania (Balkans) that is so appealing.
- steelbuttplate
- Posts: 3938
- Joined: Sat Nov 02, 2013 2:24 pm
- Location: Foxhole in the Smoky Mtns. N.C.
Re: "Balkan" 1919 Izhevsk Dragoon showcase submission
Shoot fire Yeah get 'er done.Judi and her Mosins wrote:
Has my vote.... To the showcase !
" There are two kinds of people, the good people and the ones that aggravate the hell out of the good people"
Re: "Balkan" 1919 Izhevsk Dragoon showcase submission
On another forum I've asked about what makes a M91 a Romanian M91. Did you complete your survey? I have a M91 with the round gear stamp, the wedge, no cleaning rod as it appears Romanians didn't carry one on their rifles, and a few other things that may be Romanian.racerguy00 wrote: ↑Sat Jan 12, 2019 4:57 amI'm hoping to complete a survey of about 100 "Balkan" m91s that I have access to. A small sample but I want to compare and document the different stamps etc to try to nail down a pattern or best case a confirmed source of them. This is the first post-war pattern 91/30 type stock I've.seen with the gearwheel stamp. All others I've seen have been m91s.Thagomizer wrote:Any ideas on the gearwheel circular stamp on the stock? I have a 1916 Remington Instructie with the same mark. Any other reference to it being Romanian? I have a couple of other m91 Balkan types that have the so called pinecone stock markings but not this round stamp. It seems to be one or the other but not both. All mine have the peened sight wedge also as well as Aluminum handguard rivets.
Thanks
-
- Posts: 3126
- Joined: Mon Jul 02, 2012 7:53 pm
- Location: Western PA
Re: "Balkan" 1919 Izhevsk Dragoon showcase submission
On Facebook? Check out the non-sporter preservationist group at: OOOPS. Deleted by Facebook because it's evil to even discuss collectible firearms on social media these days.