The Russian Govt. purchased app. 293,000 1895 Winchester muskets in Russian 7.62x54r beginning in 1914, these rifles had charger guide ribs attached to the receiver to enable use of the standard Russian charger clips. The rifles were adopted by the Russians as the M1915, 2 styles of bayonets were reportedly delivered w/them, one had a 8" blade (very rare) & the more common, the 16" blade. Some of these rifles were eventually sent to Spain to assist the republicans in their (losing) war aganst the Nationalists.
Album by willyp. Photos by willyp. 1 - 37 of 37 Total. 46753 Visits.
1915 (1895) Musket w/bayonet This m1915 is shown w/the 16" blade bayonet, this particular rifle is one of the rifles that ended up in Spain as evidenced by the flaming bomb w/MP8 cartouche on the right butt. it is complete, fully functional but has vry little finish & is well worn & used.
Same view w/bayonet attached The Winchester rifles for the Russian contract were reportedly supplied w/2 versions of the bayonet, the more common, shown here has a 16" blade length, the eaelier, more rare, although both are rare was the same bayonet design but had a shorter 10" blade.
Butt plate trapdoor These rifles were fitted w/the standard (American type) butt plate trapdoor that slid upward to open, US muskets were supplied w/a cleaning jag on a pull thru that was stored in the trap, it's unk if the Russians utilized the door for the same purpose.
1895 Butt trap door open here the door is partially open, slid toward the top of the butt plate.
Butt stock, right side Note the flaming bomb cartouche containing an MP8, this is a Spanish arsenal marking indicating use in the Spanish Civil War.
Close up of the Spanish Arsenal mark
Right side view of the action Note the charger guide ribs added to the upper receiver.
Right side of action open
View of action w/stripper clip in guides
Top view of stripper clip in guides
Russian markings on right receiver These markings, which are believed to be a proof & ownership markings are on the front right side of the receiver just behind the forend.
Right side view, lower band
Front band & front sight
Bayonet hilt & scabbard detail The 2 bayonets were identical in construction & appearance except for the length of the blade. The scabbard/frog combination is the same one utilized w/the Remington 1902 Rolling Block 16" bayonets which may indicate they were procured from an independent supplier by both Remington & Winchester although it is said that the Winchester scabbards had the frogs affixed by a rivet, the Remingtons by a screw, this particular scabbard has the frog affixed by a screw.
Marking on Winchester bayonet
US manufactured 7.62x54 WW1 Here are USC Co cartridges mfg in 1917 for the Russian 7.62x54r.
Winchester mfg 7.62x54r here are cartridges mfg by Winchester in 7.62x54r Russian although I don't believe these were mfg in WW1 for the Russians as were the USC cartridges.
Boxes from the USc Co & Winchester ammo Here are pics of the boxes the above cartridges came in, the Winchester appears to be a later box although the cartridges have no headstamp date (not does the box) but the box id's soft point ammo & the rounds are FMJ. The USC Co box is from a military contract & the box & rounds are all dated 1917.
Left side view of front band/sight
Left side view of forend
Lower band left side
Left forend view. Note the detachable sling swivel which in this view is mounted in the forward position on the mag body. This detachable swivel is similiar to the Gew88/98 style but is not the same swivel, it is smaller & slightly different, it appears the 1895 Winchester lee Navy rifles issued to the Marines also used this type of detachable swivel & the swivels are for a narrow sling. Note that the sling on this rifle is of the right width but I don't believe it's the correct sling for the Russian rifles, nor for any military rifle for that matter.
Left side view of rear sight
Top view of rear sight
Marking on receiver ring over chamber The marking, w over P in the oval is a Winchester proof mark, 7.62 mm is the caliber.
View of open action action open showing inside mag & feed ramp
Markings on left receiver wall
Left side action open
Left view of action
View of rear of lever the operating lever is in 2 pieces, this is a pic of the rear "curve" where the upper & lower parts of the lever are held together
Lower tang markings
Butt left side view note the detachable swivel arrangement & also note the small 5 stamped near the buttplate, meaning unk.
Small stylized 5 on butt
View of detachable swivel
Detachable swivel Here it's open & dismounted from the rear swivel location.
Left side view Sling is mounted on front of mag in this view. When mounted this way I believe there is a wire type "hook" again similiar to the GEW88/98 style that was used to attach to the front band swivel, this is the type of arrangement that was also used on the 1895 Winchester-lee Navy.
