Collecting Military weapons is an interesting and fun way to study History. Starting with our own first US smokless powder rifle the 30-40 Kraig before the turn of the century. From a general historical perspective the year 1903 is known best for the Wright Brothers' flight at Kitty Hawk, N.C. In the history of U.S. military arms, the year 1903 will always be remembered as the year that one of the most venerable service rifles was adopted, the 03 Springfield rifle. The .30-03 had a round-nose bullet which had proved to be balistically inferior to the pointed "spitzer" bullet developed in Germany. In October 1906, an improved cartridge with a "spitzer" bullet and reformulated powder to reduce the .30-03's bore erosion was adopted as the ".30-'06".
Rays Gun Shop has some of these beauties and can obtain others for your collection. The Moisan Nagant is a great and inexpensive rifle to own and shoot. With rising ammo costs obtaining surplus ammo for less than it costs for bullets alone is a terrific savings.
Although John Moses Browning was probably one of the World's most famous firearm designer. The Soviet's had their own (perhaps not so beautiful) but functional, inexpensive to manufacture, and accurate rifle, the Moisan Nagant. These have become quite popular in the US as Soviet States sell them to the US to finance their economic transition to capitalism. The Moisan Nagant 91/30 was popularized by the film "Enemy at the Gates".
A story about the battle of Stalingrad which was a turning point in 1941. The three lower rifles shown in the picture to the right are typical of the Moisan Nagant.
The average life expectancy of a Soviet infantryman about 5 rounds. See this exciting clip from the movie...
