Polish Construction of Small Arms. wz.91/98/25

[martin08]

I have read snippets of the following information on a few European web pages, but this is the first time I have ever had access to the entire subsection of the of the book which covers subject of the Polish wz. 91/98/25, or Mosin Nagant which was converted to accept the 8mm Mauser cartidge.

The direct translation is a little sketchy in places, but the general information can easily be followed. My own interpretations (in parenthesis) could be subject to error, but are made as educated guesses.

A very interesting note. This is the first time I have accessed any information on this particular conversion that mentions the use of Russian Mosin Nagant 1907 Carbine as one of the models used as a base for the build.

Polish Construction of Small Arms

by Zbigniew Gwozdz an Poitr Zarzaycki

Chapter 11 - p.144 Modified Mosin wz. 1891

Pattern Rifles. 91/98/23 and 91/98/25


To consolidate the weapons and ammunition in the 1923-1927 portion of the resource owned by the Russian army, Karabina Mosina was adapted in Central Depot Weapons # 1 Warsaw, and Factory Equipment and Weapons Arma "Lwow to 7.92 mm Mauser ammunition.

Karbin Russian construction S.I. Mosina was introduced in 1891 to arm the Russian army. It had the barrel of caliber 7.62 mm and was constructed to the ammunition of the protruding rimmed flange. Additional bolt handle stem constituted a castle (lug?). Power charger to the weapons followed with a single-row boxed magazine. The magazine was located a special funnel-ejector that lasted loosely top cartridges and cartridge was holding tight recumbent, as a result of the reported device worked very well. The whole Karabina consisted of 42 parts, made Karabina in the normal production of a small amount of defects.

Weapon produced from several varieties, mainly as kb mod. 1891, and KBK mod. 1907, from factories in Tula, Sestorecku, Izhevsk and during World War I in the United States, in the sophisticated Remington, and factories in the New England.

Adaptation of weapons made Karabiner in Poland, depended, among other, the alteration of Karabina for KBK, i.e. shortened barrel by about 20 cm. The armories also made to the Karabiner the following changes:

1. Re-drilled barrel threaded for (8mm) rifling, while the front part of the barrel to the ring base was stepped down on the outside, while the shape of the barrel chambered for KBK mod. In 1898 ammunition. In case of the significant barrel wear, mentioned the new production replacement, which was provided by Armoury no. 2.

2. The receiver was converted forehead lock (lug?), stripper clips, guides the back end

3. The rear sight leaf frame straightened, headband slider the bent, steps down base for about five. After this operation, the number of targeted was not taken into account s, while range functions of the numbers were then placed on the stairs (the lowest setting 300m, 1200m highest).

4. Changed distributor ( interruptor? ) ejector cartridges (bolt head was also altered to accommodate rimless cartridge)

5. Magazine box reshaped dimensionally to filter to 7.92mm rounds

6. But also reduced stock inletting to accomodate, a (separate) part from the trough was adapted to the (shorter) external shape of the barrel (and inserted) here, in connection with the assembly screw front and back, then shortened by about 4mm. Front ferrule part from the front nosecap were replaced with bayonet base, and the base kozlikiem Koźlik. This allows for the use of the bayonet-type knife Polish production or German.

7. In addition, the esker and the flask was added an additional guarding stirrup attachment sling (new sling swivel attachments?)

Part of these changes to the cause and the need to adapt to the different elements of weapons in shape scales of the Mauser cartridge, which does not have a protruding flange of Russian cartridge: Original viewfinder also adapted to the Polish ballistics.

Weapon in this release and sign were renumbered to mod. 91/98/23. (In the literature can often encounter sources named as Polish Mauser mod. 91/98/23).

In later alterations KBK made Karabina slight changes of eliminating Koźlik and change the front bayonet lug to Mauser mod 1898. And to cut off the hook for the introduction of rod cleaning rod. Weapon studied in affiliated, from which also drive troop remarks on KBK jams, especially with in feeding the rimless cartridge and removing the spent shell. As a result of these observations was rebuilt and lowered ejection cartridge tackle.

Rifles with the introduced with the new modifications were 91/98/25 (some source and reported as 91/98/26). Rifles mod. 91/98/23 and 91/98/25 have issued to troops in armed cavalry, artillery, military police, and from 1929 to troops arming of border guards. In addition, this finding were weapons in the delivery of the State Police.

After the withdrawal of weapons from above. Troops of military handed over some to the Battalions of National Defence.

- - - Updated - - -

Now, my recent acquisition. My first complete Polish Mosin Nagant wz.91/98/25

Not quite perfect, as sometimes one needs to accept some compromise on old, rebuilt, and scarce specimens. The bolt has been blued, and is not matching (but matches itself). And the magazine and rear sight leaf are from other carbines, but correct in design application.

My other two specimens have cut down or new construction sporter stocks. So, it's nice to have one with a complete and matching furniture set.

LOTS of pics. And thanks for looking.

 

[JuergenG]

Very nice! I've never seen one in real life and was thinking the 98's upper band looking funny on a Nagant.

 

[majspud]

I wouldn't mind another variant of 8mm to go with my M95M.

MS

 

[SKS Ray]

Great find!