Mosin-Nagant Designations

AlwaysAardvarks

May 23, 2011 10:19

I've seen several M-N 91/30's listed as "5-line" or "3-line". I have no idea what this means. Can anyone explain this to me? (No, no. Not the part about me having no idea; the part about the guns.)

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  1KYDSTR

  May 23, 2011 10:42

  Well, the Russian Moisin was originally refferred to as the "3 line" (pronounced lean-yah) rifle in Russian nomenclature which is an archaic form of measurement unique to the Ruissians. The term refers to a sub unit of Arshins, and is roughly equivalent to 30 caliber. As far as the 5 line thing goes, unless I am massively mistaken, that would be something in the area of about 50 caliber and would have never been chambered in a Moisin Nagant. The rifle was designed by a Col Moisin from Tula arsenal (I think) and the magazine system was designed by either Emil or Leon Nagant of Belgium.
  
  I perhaps am misunderstanding the 5-line thing...perhaps it refers to something with which I am unfamiliar or is an object phrase I refer to by another name? The only real difference between 91/30 variants is the use of an older hexagonal reciever versus round. I believe they started the round transition about 1925 and used up extant supplies of new and rearsenaled hex recievers until they produced round only.

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  rufe-snow

  May 23, 2011 10:48

  I have never run across the "5 line" designation. "3 line" refers to the original Czarist Russian caliber designation.
  
  As far as the 91-30's are concerned it might refer to the amount of markings on the chamber area of the receiver?
  
  The site at this link has a number of photographs of these markings. Check it out, hopefully it will clear up your questions.
  
  http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinID.htm

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  AlwaysAardvarks

  May 23, 2011 17:27

  Thanks for the replies. I'm still unsure we've got it covered
  
  http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=229442397
  
  http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=229261874
  
  http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=229760861
  
  etc., etc. Not wanting to be a contradictory pain in the tail surfaces, just wonderin' what those wacky Rooskis were up to.

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  Henry0Reilly

  May 23, 2011 17:55

  I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess that in this case "5 line markings" refers to the number of lines of markings on the top of the barrel shank.
  
  

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  AlwaysAardvarks

  May 23, 2011 19:08

  They certainly do have that in common, don't they? I believe you have solved my mystery, and I am grateful. Many thanks to you all.

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