Way to Russia Talk Lounge

cook · Last edited by cook on Tue Apr 05, 2005 5:25 am; edited 3 times in total

Sorry to spring this question at you guys, but I have to know. How easy it is to get ahold of antique rifles in Russia? What I am looking for is an antique military rifle- the Russian Winchester 1895.

The Russian Winchester 1895 was the only lever-action rifle to see (official) use during WW1, where it was used by Russian artillerymen. Based on the American 1895 Winchester lever-action rifle, it was chambered for the powerful Russian 7.62x54r cartridge (which is probably a better cartridge than the Norwegian .30-40krag which was originally used, but I digress), and the only other significant departure from the original design that the Russian gov't wanted were clip guides installed on the top of the receiver. For more practical information about the gun- it is a lever-action rifle (automatic or semi-automatic fire is, then, mechanically impossible); it has a 5-round integral, clip-fed magazine (which means that without altering it, no more than 6 rounds can be stored in it); it has a bayonet lug; it is about 4 feet long, and weighs around 9-10lbs (basically, it cannot be concealed); and, as a lever-action rifle, it is really inherently too inaccurate for, say, a scope to be practical (although you would have to be a complete idiot to drill and tap an antique like this gun).

Does anyone here think that it would be possible to purchase one of these guns in Russia? They are practically impossible to find stateside, the only example that I have found was just shy of $2000 and since I am only a college student, paying that much is not an option. Well, that's about it. ttyl

UsualSuspect · Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 2:27 am Post subject: Taxes 'n' duties

Hi,
Since you are talking about a pre-1965 Russian made rifle, you will have to get permission to take it out of Russia. Expect to be slugged an enormous duty/tax...up to 600% IIRC. Now, to find such a rifle in Russia you are going to have to dig deep, maybe even literally (remember that the Tsar lost 1.5 million men when he decided to take command in a very short time)! I expect (and I'll check my photos) that the Artillery Museum in St Petersburg has an example, I am not certain whether they are on-line or not yet (The Hermitage and a few others have a web-site). Apart from that as a starting point I can't offer much more.

Regards
Usualsuspect

cook · Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 4:52 am Post subject:

Thanks Usualsuspect, that's good to know. Though its a bit discouraging, I can't hardly blame the Russian gov't for taxing firearms exports so heavily, especially when it comes to rare pieces of history like these rifles. Oh well, seeing as how the existing rifles have been around for more than a century now, and will no doubt continue to circulate for another 100 years, I'll continue my search. I've got to tell you, if the existing rifles have been refurbished to the same standard that many of the Mosins were after WW2, I just might have to pay that 600% duty. Cool

By the way, what does IIRC mean?

UsualSuspect · Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 4:41 pm Post subject: A little more...

Cook,
IIRC = If I Remember Correctly

I had another thought..you could probably start (?) at some of the major gun shops. One I know in Vladivostok is SNIPER (СНИПЗР). Tripped over it when I was there...How's your Russian???

The Duty/Tax applies to ANY pre-1965 soviet/russian merchandise.

Regards
Usualsuspect.

cook · Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 12:26 am Post subject:

Sounds like a good place to start looking to me, and yes, I'm sure that you remember correctly, because WW1 rifles generally aren't tremendously expensive. A 600% tariff would do a lot to explain why that one was $2000. As far as my Russian goes, class is going alright, but I've really never had a chance to talk to anyone. I guess I could survive if I had to though, but I don't know any technical firearms terms except for "barrel." Oh, that and "magazine" and "rifling." Later man.

J David

[quote="cook"]Sorry to spring this question at you guys, but I have to know. How easy it is to get ahold of antique rifles in Russia? What I am looking for is an antique military rifle- the Russian Winchester 1895.

You're breaking my heart Smile

I 'had' one in US .30 as well as one in 40-72 Sad

Neat pieces, but was always looking for one in 7.62 Russian. Oh well, maybe someday.

J David