Improving Mosins: The Estonian M1935

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  • čas přidán 20. 06. 2023
  • utreon.com/c/forgottenweapons/
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    When Estonia declared independence from Russia in 1918, it had no formal military. After winning a 2-year War of Independence, the nation needed to set up its own armed forces. The rifles available in Estonia were a mix of Mosin Nagants, Arisakas, Pattern 1914 Enfields, and German Mausers. The most common were the Mosins, and Mosins would form the bulk of Estonian arms until World War Two.
    The initial Estonian military work was to refurbish, repair, and clean the Mosins it had, which resulted in about 40,000 good-quality rifles, plus another 64,000 purchased from the UK in 1922. Extensive military training took its toll though, and by the late 1920s many rifles were once again in poor shape. At the point, a project was established to make some improvements while still retaining the basic M91 Mosin form. This escalated to a major modification and rebuild program in the early 1930s.
    The first model to be made was a marksman's rifle, which a shorter and heavier barrel, better sights and a better trigger. Lessons from this work led to the development of the Model 1935 military short rifle, which is what we have today. Between 1935 and 1940 a total of 6,790 of these rifles were produced. Like the Finns, the Estonians only manufactured a few parts for the guns, taking receivers, bolts, magazines, and other small parts from their inventory of spares leftover from scrapped rifles in the early 1920s.
    Unfortunately, the M1935 rifles never had a chance to see significant use, as Estonia had no real choice but to submit to Russian occupation in 1940.
    Thanks to Texas Guns and Ammo for the loan of this rifle to film, and to my Estonian friend Aku for research assistance!
    Contact:
    Forgotten Weapons
    6281 N. Oracle 36270
    Tucson, AZ 85740

Komentáře • 506

  • @johnhunt2390
    @johnhunt2390 Před rokem +523

    I love when Ian pulls multiple rifles out of his lap like a magician pulling rabbits out of a hat.

    • @wesleygay8918
      @wesleygay8918 Před rokem +7

      He learned it from Othais

    • @jeromethiel4323
      @jeromethiel4323 Před rokem

      "Hey Rocky, watch me pull a rifle out of my hat.
      That trick never works.
      Presto!

    • @mky45lg
      @mky45lg Před rokem +9

      Like 40 clowns getting out of a mini-cooper😂

    • @zacharyrollick6169
      @zacharyrollick6169 Před 11 měsíci

      @@mky45lg Those were college students setting that record.

    • @stephenandersen4625
      @stephenandersen4625 Před 11 měsíci +3

      I have a 1893, a 1896, a 1904, and a 2403…. Don’t ask

  • @RJ-vb7gh
    @RJ-vb7gh Před 11 měsíci +190

    To add another data point to the history as we know it, my father was in the Estonian Army between the wars. And he actually saw those rifles. They were commonly referred to as 'Arsenal Rifles". They were reputed to be very accurate and of very high quality. But from his recollection they were never issued to anyone. They were kept in reserve for a war that pretty much never happened as envisioned. As a marksman, my father and pretty much every other Estonian soldier trained with the "English" rifles, which we would recognize today as the Pattern 14.
    I got the feeling that the arsenal rifles were a matter of national pride, He never made any mention that they were upgraded Russian rifles. They were most certainly too good to be issued to the troops and gotten wet or dirty by common Estonian soldiers during peacetime or in training. So to set the record straight, these rifles were safe queens, while the actual Estonian military rifles were P-14s.
    My father was studying in Germany when the war broke out. So it is possible that these rifles were issued during or immediately prior to the war by or to someone, but I haven't come across any significant contribution they made in the conflict.
    I further inquired about the quality and condition of the p-14s in Estonian service at the time. My father seemed originally confused by the question and then he replied "Every Friday my company had a shoot for weekend passes and every Saturday I got a hair cut and watched a movie. If you could shoot, they hit what you shot at."
    I suppose I've always wondered how the arsenal rifle actually shoots, If you get to actually shoot it, let me know.

    • @drdelewded
      @drdelewded Před 11 měsíci +22

      Very cool. My grandfather fought in the War of Independence 1918-1920 (he was born in 1900) and again in the home guard during WW2. Captured by the Soviets, His POW ship ran aground in the Baltic Sea. He escaped and met up with my father and grandmother in Sweden.. I think my father was 3 or 4?.. He was born in 42 and left Eesti for Rootsi when he was a year and a half.

    • @RJ-vb7gh
      @RJ-vb7gh Před 11 měsíci +6

      @@drdelewded There was a lot going on in the Baltic region during and between the world wars. Some heroic and some tragic. Strangely most are relegated to family lore now. I suspect that part of the collective amnesia our world shares is intentional.
      Somehow the antique and relic firearms that have survived still carry with them the memories that the world seems to forget. And when we learn about them we become reintroduced to those amazing people who interacted with them when they were new and the civilizations they destroyed or defended.

    • @Scroolewse
      @Scroolewse Před 11 měsíci +10

      People like you sharing first or second hand bits of knowledge about the weapon talked about in the video that Ian couldn't possibly find out make this channel even better.

    • @aj200415
      @aj200415 Před 11 měsíci +3

      Amazing reply and breakdown. Thank you for your contribution and your fathers contribution to the history here!

  • @Snarkbar
    @Snarkbar Před rokem +326

    The part where Finland just happily shared everything with Estonia is really heartwarming.

    • @SynapseDriven
      @SynapseDriven Před rokem +1

      no one brings people together like the russians

    • @3of11
      @3of11 Před 11 měsíci +95

      Nothing Unites people quite like fear of Russians

    • @a_loyal_kiwi88
      @a_loyal_kiwi88 Před 11 měsíci +2

      @@3of11
      Communist Russians, at that.

    • @larrythorn4715
      @larrythorn4715 Před 11 měsíci +52

      We decided that we liked Esti better than Russia.

    • @Tunkkis
      @Tunkkis Před 11 měsíci +20

      ​@@larrythorn4715What with being related peoples and everything.

  • @stevenparsons4464
    @stevenparsons4464 Před rokem +499

    One must consider the history and features of an Elbonian Mosin

    • @Rensune
      @Rensune Před rokem +3

      😂

    • @_ArsNova
      @_ArsNova Před rokem +33

      What do you mean? In the Elbonian War of Independence they just used unmodified M1891s.

    • @Pattern51lover
      @Pattern51lover Před rokem +23

      “One does not simply consider the history and features of an Elbonian Mosin”
      -LOTR I guess

    • @dwightdhansen
      @dwightdhansen Před rokem +34

      Not gonna lie, I thought that is what the video title said when I first looked at it.

    • @Devin_Stromgren
      @Devin_Stromgren Před rokem +13

      Did you also misread the thumbnail?

  • @TheComradeBritish
    @TheComradeBritish Před rokem +120

    "What will you be using the rifles for?"
    "Shooting Russians."
    "Cool, here's all the information you'll need to make that happen."

  • @bigz4339
    @bigz4339 Před 11 měsíci +12

    Elbonian Mosin Stats:
    Barrel length: 36 inches, with permanent grenade spigot.
    Stock Material: Laminated cardboard
    Sight Calibration: out to 300 Cubits
    Trigger: exists, sortof. 7.3 kg pull
    Cartridge: 9.7x63mmR
    It also features 4 foot, non-adjustable length bipods made of 16 gauge aluminum, as well as a 24 inch saber bayonet.

  • @Jack-jq4if
    @Jack-jq4if Před rokem +96

    Lovely to see an Estonian rifle, I hope one day you get to take a look at our .303 conversion of Arisaka rifles

  • @MrKaido93
    @MrKaido93 Před rokem +103

    Hi Ian, stemming from an Estonian Military/Police background, I find your video interesting!
    My father served in the Four Helmets of Steel. In 1940 my father was a conscript in the Estonian Army Artillery and transferred to the Estonian Airforce as a Courier in Tallinn during the tense base time and was ordered to surrender with the humiliating capitulation which was not well received by the conscripts and many officers saw the situation as the wrong response.
    As we could have mobilized between 140.000 to 160.000 soldiers. Our interwar Estonian Military was highly trained and well equipped, in some ways considered superior to Finland's. It has been speculated that the total mobilized Estonian Military in 1939 before the Soviet bases were established could very well have resisted the Soviet Army and NKVD forces for a total of a 3 month period.
    All together, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania could have mobilized some 500.000 soldiers, half a million soldiers is a force of some significance. There was a shortage of Airplanes and Tanks, that were ordered and due to the war situation were not delivered by the UK and Germany. However, Estonia had large Coastal Gun embankments and 2 newly built Vickers submarines that were supposed to link up with Finland's as we had a secret Defense alliance with our Finnish brothers that our cowardly government betrayed.
    There is controversy as to why the Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian government officials acted in a cowardly manner and just did not tell the sinister Soviets "No" as Finland did. Instead in a dishonorable, shameful, cowardly manner the Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian governments kowtowed and dismantled their own governments to appease the Soviets like scared rabbits.
    The Illegal Soviet Russian takeover of Estonia was more documented than that of Latvia and Lithuania.
    General Laidoner, the CinC of the Estonian military should have said No to the infamous "Narva Dictate" of June 17. 1940. Where the sinister Soviet Russian General Meretskov presented a Dictate demand from Moscow, that the Estonian government immediately ban the private ownership of firearms and confiscate all privately owned firearms from the entire civilian population and disarm the (Kaitseliit) Defense League (National Volunteer Militia) within 48 hours.
    There was also a division in the national outlook and interests between that of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Estonia viewed the only real enemy as being sinister Soviet Russia, whereas Latvia and Lithuania, viewed Germany and Poland as major threats. Lithuania had the best-developed Aircraft (Anbo) of all 3 countries with a Bomber Aircraft designed and built in 1940.
    Out of, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, it was only the Estonian Independent Signal Battalion that actually fought a battle giving armed resistance against the invading sinister Soviet Red Army after the Signal battalion was thrown out of their base to make room for the Soviet Army, into a School Building on Raua street then armed resistance occurred on the 22nd of June 1940. The armed resistance was actually started by Conscripts while the Officers and Cadre NCO's were attending a funeral as Soviet officials came by to disarm the Signal battalion and all hell broke loose.
    Arsenal Tallinn (AT) produced some well-made firearms and other military equipment such as gas masks etc. There were several models of the Mosin Nagant rifle, all of the Estonian AT-produced Mosin models were shorter than the original Russian 91/30 rifle. AT also designed and produced two Estonian-designed and made submachine guns. Pistols were also assembled from FN Parts for both the FN 1903 9mm Long and the later Browning M35 pistol. Estonia used both the Mills Hand grenade and made a copy of the German "Potato Masher" at AT called a "Kaigas" which was said to have poor ignition and shoddy construction.

    • @causewaykayak
      @causewaykayak Před rokem +9

      Thats all really interesting history . Many thanks for sharing it. Of course Germany occupied almost everybody at some stage. The british were keen to land german military staff into the Baltic after the post WW2 Russian occupation to serve as a nucleus of armed resistance to the Soviets. Well informed information on the likely local support for such troops would be interesting if you have it.

    • @mr.commonsense
      @mr.commonsense Před rokem +3

      That was an awesome story

    • @KevinSmith-yh6tl
      @KevinSmith-yh6tl Před rokem +2

      Fantastic story.
      Thank You very much, Sir.

    • @mikkveere1409
      @mikkveere1409 Před 11 měsíci +1

      Yeah, and what kind ofa covernment do we have now, huh... if conservatives got power and started investigating corruption, they went crazy to stop it. That shows that this covernment today is the first to run when russia attacks us and leave us to our fate. Even millions of euros of donations to Ukraine got stolen and covered up. Was all over the news when Zelensky went nuts when he found out :'D. And as the covernment robs us allready, why would we even want to defend this country and lay down our lives? We have lost our values, our culture, our dignity and our money to this country. Plus our children get kidnapped and sold by covernment officials( happened to me so dont tell me I lie) they tried to silence me, but I have nothing to loose anymore. Everyone should know what happens in this "Nordic European state, where everyone is rich, happy and prosper" soon the law is established that bans all truth be told. So hear now, while it is still possible.

    • @MrKaido93
      @MrKaido93 Před 9 měsíci

      @@causewaykayak
      At first in 1940/ 1941 the Anti Soviet resistance freedom fighters largely known as the "Forest Brothers". Which were made up of several eliments from their societies. Largely former Military, Paramilitary, Border Guards, Police, Hunters etc.
      They brought with them and used a hodge podge of weaponry. Some from the inter war era Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian Military, Para Military Territotlrial Defense, Border Guard and Police weapons even privately owned firearms that were kept hidden from both the Soviet Russian invaiders and later from the German invaiders.
      The old joke of "Why do Estonians, Latvians and Lithuanians "Water"
      Their Flowers with Oil", has a lot of truth to it!
      In 1944 after the German occupational forces largely departed and the new illegal Soviet reccoupation began in 1944, some German forces German soldiers who litterly missed the boat joined the Forest Brothers bringing their issued weapons.
      During this time right at the end of WW2 throughout Europe weapons, firearms, ammunition and equipment were often scattered abandoned in many places especially in wilderness areas like forests or bogs.
      The Forest Brothers gathered as many weapons and ammunition that they could get a hold of. Many of these weapons, small arms were the ones used by the losing German forces.
      As the resistance by the Forest Brothers went on year after year gradually the ammunition for the German weapons became depleted expended so gradually the Forest Brothers would replace such with the taken Soviet invaiders weapons/ firearms, ammunition and equipment and use such against them, the Soviet invaiders/occupiers.

  • @jimmychristensen498
    @jimmychristensen498 Před 11 měsíci +8

    "They really didn't like the original M91 triggers" (checks chamber) "that is in fact empty...)
    He knew that the thing was empty, but still checks before touching the trigger. Pure professionalism. 8:50

  • @capnstewy55
    @capnstewy55 Před rokem +34

    The movie 1944 is a good movie about the Estonian experience in WW2.

  • @iLLeag7e
    @iLLeag7e Před rokem +51

    Ian's continuing relationship with the Finns warms my heart and brings me joy. It has been nothing but awesome the entire time!

    • @jubuttib
      @jubuttib Před rokem +2

      The Jatimatic was a bit of a low point, but for good reasons... =)

  • @robertsmith4681
    @robertsmith4681 Před rokem +62

    I've been shooting and collecting Mosins for about 20 years and did not know such a variant existed. Have to find one now lol

  • @janlin98
    @janlin98 Před rokem +85

    Many Estonians are still angry that in 1939 with the "Soviet-Estonian Mutual Assistance Treaty" or "Bases treaty" as it's also known here in Estonia, our country was given to the Soviets without a single shot fired. Some records suggest that the Estonian combined military strength was around 100 000 men (this includes civilian reserves who could have been mobilized) whereas the soviets had around 135 000 troops (give or take) that where threatening our borders. While the enemy did have a bigger force, It's a well known fact that to mount a successful offensive, one would need to have three times the manpower, which the soviets at the time did not. If Estonia had fought back like Finland did, we probably could have achieved a cease-fire and signed a peace treaty. Of course such a war would have had huge losses on the defending side but the losses would have been fewer than they were during half a century long occupation which followed...

    • @wisewarnanazara317
      @wisewarnanazara317 Před 11 měsíci +8

      You forgot to remember that Soviet had a fast growing and developing mechanized forces around that time period. Unless the Estonian can secure foreign supplies and support, they were doomed.

    • @bloqk16
      @bloqk16 Před 11 měsíci

      @@wisewarnanazara317 Something else, too, would be the losses of soldiers between the USSR and Estonia, in such a war, would have meant fewer front-line troops, and the lowering of overall resources, to battle the 1941 Nazi invasion.

    • @anttieskelinen1
      @anttieskelinen1 Před 11 měsíci

      @@wisewarnanazara317 actually not, they abolished panzer divisions just before that.

    • @wisewarnanazara317
      @wisewarnanazara317 Před 11 měsíci +2

      @@anttieskelinen1 what do you mean?
      Panzer Division? What's the correlation between Panzer division & Sovyet occupation of Estonia?

    • @anttieskelinen1
      @anttieskelinen1 Před 11 měsíci

      @@wisewarnanazara317 "Soviet had a fast growing and developing mechanized forces"
      In 1939 there were no mechanized units in Russian army because they abolish them. Couple of years earlier they had them.

  • @Erden99
    @Erden99 Před rokem +240

    The Finns may not like talking to people very much, but this historical background has made me quite sure that they are secretly very kind. W helping the neighbours.

    • @alltat
      @alltat Před rokem +49

      The Finns were doing all of that work to defend against Russia. Estonia needed guns to defend against Russia. It made sense for the Finns to offer any assistance they could. Unfortunately it didn't make any difference in the end.

    • @schana96
      @schana96 Před rokem +26

      Maybe it's less about helping neighbors, and more about sticking it to the soviets... But same end result I guess.

    • @nathanzylla4961
      @nathanzylla4961 Před rokem +8

      I met a Finn..and it was bad ass..they showed me the ways of brutal metal.

    • @Krater84
      @Krater84 Před rokem +37

      Finland and Estonia are closely related linguistically and culturally. There was even a proposal for them to unite in a federal state.

    • @Saksikoipi
      @Saksikoipi Před rokem +43

      Well, the Estonians are the closest relatives to Finns after the Karelians. In the 1920's the idea of uniting all Finnic ethnicities under one nation had risen in Finland and they even waged a war of sorts in Karelia during the Russian war of independence, which ultimately failed after some political pressure from the Brits and such. Quite many Finns joined the Estonian struggle for independence also as volunteers, and Estonians would volunteer to fight in the Winter war and Continuation war later on. There's been a sense of brotherhood with the Estonians and Finns for the last hundred years at least.

  • @trollmetsast5361
    @trollmetsast5361 Před 11 měsíci +38

    As Estonian, its nice to see interest in our history and yeah Finnish are good neighbors
    ( both have borders with Russa.) Suur aitähh selle video eest ja jätka samas vaimus, edu.

  • @sven-erikviira1872
    @sven-erikviira1872 Před 11 měsíci +7

    Perfect timing for the video as 23. of june is our national Victory day (over czarist Russia). It is also summer solstice which is a big thing in Estonia and Finland - I´ll go back to sauna now.

  • @bobbyfactor1890
    @bobbyfactor1890 Před rokem +56

    As a Finn, I'm perfectly happy lending my homework to any Estonian. Heck, who knows, maybe they'll show me theirs in return!

    • @mr.commonsense
      @mr.commonsense Před rokem +17

      As an Estonian, this is my response.
      There's nthing I'm not willing to share with the other Baltics and the Finnish

    • @heilerko9349
      @heilerko9349 Před 11 měsíci +3

      We will veli! Brothers in arms

  • @TheBebop51
    @TheBebop51 Před rokem +25

    I always felt it says a lot about the mosin that pretty much every country that used it did so out of convenience rather than it being the best rifle.

    • @openphoto
      @openphoto Před rokem +2

      Mediocrity rules the world!

    • @KR-hg8be
      @KR-hg8be Před rokem +10

      The rifle of last resort. When you have no better option, the equivalent of the person you go home with at last call blackout drunk of the firearms world.

    • @Tunkkis
      @Tunkkis Před 11 měsíci

      Good enough is the enemy of perfection.

    • @mrskelington
      @mrskelington Před 11 měsíci +5

      @@KR-hg8be Haha! Miss Mosin the 2am take-home

    • @ianfinrir8724
      @ianfinrir8724 Před 11 měsíci +1

      It's like a moped: fun to drive until your friends see you.

  • @hdgevin
    @hdgevin Před rokem +45

    Hopefully the trip to Estonia becomes a reality! 👍

  • @cedricathlan9399
    @cedricathlan9399 Před rokem +52

    Very cool piece of history!!
    What would be great to see as well is the even rarer Elbonian Mosin M69/70, re-barreled and re-chambered in 6.5x55 Krag. Probably one of the most unique Mosin variations, if you can find one. Bonus points if it's one that's outfitted with a surplus ZF-4 scope in its sniper variant.

    • @KR-hg8be
      @KR-hg8be Před rokem +3

      And then there is always the anti tank version chambered in 450-577 martini

  • @declice
    @declice Před rokem +18

    Nice to see a bit of history about my home country!

  • @c1ph3rpunk
    @c1ph3rpunk Před rokem +13

    The more I learn about the Finns, the more I love having them as an ally. So much so I really wanna visit them and give them some juicy tourism revenue.
    Everyone, go spend money in Finland.

    • @wkoell
      @wkoell Před rokem +7

      It is good to have them in NATO, now (from Estonian viewpoint)

  • @toomasild8280
    @toomasild8280 Před rokem +72

    Thank you Ian, timing couldn't be better for this video to take place. 🙂 After couple of days we (Estonia) celebrate our Victory Day. And boomsticks like that were essential tools to mark the day in calendar. /correction -Victory Day/

    • @plehis123
      @plehis123 Před rokem +5

      Independence day is the wrong name for it. We are having Victory Day.

    • @ripvanwinkle2002
      @ripvanwinkle2002 Před rokem +4

      HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY TO YOU FROM THE USA!!
      Ours is on July 4th
      a toast to freedom and self governance! 🍻🥂

    • @toomasild8280
      @toomasild8280 Před rokem +2

      @@plehis123 thank you, mistake from my side.. was just typing and did not use the right name

    • @antimatteranon
      @antimatteranon Před rokem +1

      victory day over the soviets?

    • @Weidrik
      @Weidrik Před rokem +4

      @@antimatteranon Germans, actually: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_C%C4%93sis_(1919)

  • @mixererunio1757
    @mixererunio1757 Před rokem +66

    I just love strange Mosins. I would love to see Polish Mosin, that was converted to 8 mm Mauser

    • @loquat44-40
      @loquat44-40 Před rokem +8

      If they were making new barrels, I wonder just how hard it would have been to convert a mosin to 303. They might have been able to repurpose the original barrels also. But would need to make new bolt heads and modify the magazines. The receiver were already set up for the larger rim of the 7.62x54 so maybe it just was not possible. But if the poles could convert mosins to 8x57 mauser, then 303 should also be possible.

    • @Abbadonum
      @Abbadonum Před rokem +2

      As an estonian historian im very happy that you made this video ❤

    • @zacharyrollick6169
      @zacharyrollick6169 Před rokem +7

      ​@@loquat44-40Bannerman was able to convert Mosins to the rimless .30-06, so it should be possible.

    • @loquat44-40
      @loquat44-40 Před rokem +2

      @@zacharyrollick6169 Bannerman's had to cut off enough of the barrel chamber off to have enough metal for rechambering. It worked for the 30-06 that in theory is a higher pressure loading than the 303 Enfield. I just do not know have acceptable that would be for military conversion since the chamber walls were very thin.
      I believe that forgotten weapons did a video on it.
      Also there was a question of having 303 vickers guns IIRC. I knew of someone once trying to convert the 303 vickers to 7.62 x54 due to absence of economical 303 ammo. I have no idea if they ever got it working or not in that caliber.

    • @jacksonthompson7099
      @jacksonthompson7099 Před rokem +5

      ​@@loquat44-40Ian use to have a 303 vickers MG with the 7.62x54R conversion kit in it. He did a video on it before sending it off to auction.

  • @mattwoodard2535
    @mattwoodard2535 Před rokem +5

    The M-91 Mosin. When you want to stab the enemy in their trenchs, while still being in your own trench. sm

  • @kevinrobinson9756
    @kevinrobinson9756 Před rokem +17

    I'd really love to see the mechanics and engineering of this 2 stage trigger!

  • @astonsuperreal
    @astonsuperreal Před rokem +11

    Nice to include a notion of forest bros. Metsäveljet,in Estonian metsavennad, in Latvian mezabrali (forest brothers) were guerilla fighters against russian occupation. Bros just ran to The deep forests with guns and explosives and lived there doing all kinds of mischief to russian forces.

    • @johanmetreus1268
      @johanmetreus1268 Před 11 měsíci

      Might add that they were not finally defeated until 1955

    • @egertroos-qh7hw
      @egertroos-qh7hw Před 9 měsíci

      ​@@johanmetreus1268Last estonian forest brother was killed in 1974 and his name was August Sabbe

  • @PaulAJohnston1963
    @PaulAJohnston1963 Před rokem +8

    I highly recommend a trip to Estonia lovely place, where I fired my first ever firearm (for my 60th birthday 🙂).

  • @rohesilmnelohe
    @rohesilmnelohe Před 11 měsíci +7

    If you ever go to Finnish Brutality event again, Estonia is just a ferry ride across the bay from Helsinki.
    Since you have this wonderful platform available, I'm sure you could get access to these and many other weapons produced by the "Arsenal" manufacturing when you get in contact with Estonian Defence League (Kaitseliit).
    They have these and some other interesting firearms (at least) on display in Männiku Shooting range. I wouln't be surprised if you could get to shoot some too if you asked nicely enough.

  • @jaaguprandi7069
    @jaaguprandi7069 Před rokem +20

    Cool video! It would also be really interesting to see if you could get a hold on the Arsenal Tallinn M23 Submachine Gun, that was even later used in the Spanish Civil War.

    • @mr.commonsense
      @mr.commonsense Před rokem

      I Go to Spain

    • @Tunkkis
      @Tunkkis Před 11 měsíci

      Is that the interesting Bergman clone with the funky Mosin buttstock? I remember reading a little bit about them in a Finnish Gunwriters blog.

    • @jaaguprandi7069
      @jaaguprandi7069 Před 11 měsíci +1

      ​@@Tunkkis The Bergmann was taken as a basis, but the M23 was still completely produced in Estonia and was significantly different from the MP18. The trigger mechanism was completely different, in addition to various other minor details. Plus it was not designed for the Parabellum cartridge but for the Browning cartridge, as the Estonian Army already also used the Browning FN M1903 pistol. Interesting fact in addition is that with this gun, Estonia became the 6. country in the world to serially produce their own submachine guns.

  • @OmahaLasse
    @OmahaLasse Před 11 měsíci +2

    Ian makes such great effort to details and makes these videos about a huge variety of guns that even a person like me, with no real interest in guns, is able to enjoy and learn. Lots of history, intresting looks into the mechanic parts and so on. I love this channel.

  • @marks1638
    @marks1638 Před 11 měsíci +5

    I've got several Mosin-Nagants, including the M91/30, 38, 44, and 91/59. I've also got to handle a Finnish M28 and M39. The Finnish rifles are a cut about the Russian rifles (though made on Russian receivers). The Russian Mosin bolts are stiff and required two men and a mule to cycle with Russian factory ammo (especially using the heavier bullets). The Finnish bolts are smooth and easy to cycle, and work great with Hungarian precision ammo (really accurate ammo in most Mosin's). The sights on the Russian guns are not the best and the trigger is stiff and cranky, plus the barrel to wood is not good (I can't use the word I really want to). The Finnish guns are done by craftsman building it for the survival of the nation. The Russian guns seems to be built by someone who just doesn't care or maybe doesn't really know gunsmithing. I got the chance to handle a Remington made 1891 with some surplus Bannerman Arms Ammo (corrosive as anything you could ever use) when I was about 15 years old and that's what sold me on the Mosin-Nagant. Unfortunately, I was very disappointed by the Russian and Romanian Mosins I own, though I think the M91/59 is the best of the lot. I'd love to handle an Estonian Mosin-Nagant rifle. And we're sure this isn't an Elbonian gun???

    • @randallshulsen69
      @randallshulsen69 Před 10 měsíci

      The finest Mosins were made by the Polish. I have a Polish made M-44, other than factory test firing it's still brand new. No comparison with all the others, fit and finish is impeccable. The blueing is better than most USA made commercial firearms.

  • @RubenKelevra
    @RubenKelevra Před 11 měsíci +2

    7:16 Maybe just factory (line) 10, worker 31, rifle 483?
    The 10 and the 31 seem to be a single stamp, while 4, 8 and 3 are all individually stamped.

  • @paganarh
    @paganarh Před rokem +2

    thanks also for that little history minute at the end!

  • @MrYfrank14
    @MrYfrank14 Před 11 měsíci +2

    I wonder if Ian pulls rifles out of his lap at dinner at a restaurant?
    He hears the couple at the table next to him say" I wonder what kind of rifles Estonia had after they got thier independence, before WWII? " and Ian pulls this rifle from his
    Lap.

  • @bradfordperry5997
    @bradfordperry5997 Před 11 měsíci +1

    No matter what I "check" or how many times I do it I still have to go searching to find Ian's new videos as I never get a notification for them.

  • @ryantyson2008
    @ryantyson2008 Před 11 měsíci +1

    Ian is the man on Milsurps. He has so much knowledge and I always watch his videos to the end. Keep up the good work!

  • @andruspuusta4230
    @andruspuusta4230 Před 11 měsíci +1

    As Estonian, it was very impressive to get that information from You. Have watched Your interesting videos for many years. Good knowledge and homework very well done! Thank You! I guess that it was part of Your visit in Finland? Waiting for Your new videos! Best regards from Estonia!

  • @LordOfThisWorld74
    @LordOfThisWorld74 Před rokem +2

    Just when ya thought there could be no more Mosin variants.

  • @wkoell
    @wkoell Před rokem +2

    I really enjoyed how you presented historic background of Estonia and it's relations with neighbours. Great work! Welcome to Estonia!

  • @hokkerville
    @hokkerville Před rokem +6

    Never knew that and I am from Estonia. Good job

  • @StraightShot2977
    @StraightShot2977 Před 11 měsíci +1

    Some people relax after a long day by sitting with a pet on their lap. Ian just has a variety of historical rifles with which he sits to ease his worries after a stressful day.

  • @MisterResistance101
    @MisterResistance101 Před rokem +5

    Isn’t the M39 from the Finnish considered the “best” version of the Mosin Nagant ever made?

  • @HipsterEstonian
    @HipsterEstonian Před 11 měsíci +1

    Always wonderful to see variants of guns from my homeland on this channel. Very impressed that this rife has managed to travel so far. They are incredibly rare here in Estonia as well.

    • @egertroos-qh7hw
      @egertroos-qh7hw Před 9 měsíci

      Meil oli ka hea kvaliteediga kodumaiselt tehtud Browning High Power

  • @DreadNought0255
    @DreadNought0255 Před rokem +8

    Hunh. Well isn't that esoteric. I'm Estonian and honestly the only pieces of "arms manufacturing" here I know of in the ye olden days is of a submachine gun (I think it was a knockoff of what the Fins were doing) and your basic one-off hunter rifles. In more contemporary circles I guess the most unique thing as far as small-arms go was our own custom M14 furniture for a marksman's rifle, I think we designated it as M-14TP. The TP is for Täpsuspüss, or precision rifle. From what little I have seen it was a hated piece of kit by every level and went through numerous attempts at improvement and modernization. Allegedly.
    I haven't been actively keeping track of these things but right now what arms manufacturing we do have involves smart sea mines.

    • @toetagjeee
      @toetagjeee Před 11 měsíci

      And tank mines, TM-34 . (and in fact there is a modern estonian EPF AT mine).

  • @bushmansa518
    @bushmansa518 Před rokem +1

    Fascinating as always. Love the content 👍

  • @sulevturnpuu5491
    @sulevturnpuu5491 Před rokem +3

    No idea if any of these are left in Estonia. When Russians incorporated the state into Soviet Union the Estonian military weapons were moved into soviet reserve. Probably saw action against Germans in WW2.

  • @thomasmorgan9768
    @thomasmorgan9768 Před 11 měsíci +1

    Well, time to add another Mosin to the list. And likely several more firearms, these Estonian guns seem interesting.

  • @misterwafflezzz
    @misterwafflezzz Před rokem +4

    Could we get a better camera? Would be nice to see a little more detail on the guns sometimes :). Keep it up

  • @leighrate
    @leighrate Před 11 měsíci +1

    You do appreciate that when the original Mosin was developed, Cavalry was an major threat to Infantry?

  • @KRYNK
    @KRYNK Před rokem +13

    As an estonian i approve!

  • @cheapolegunguy
    @cheapolegunguy Před rokem +1

    As usual, very well done, thanks.

  • @AlexandruNicolin
    @AlexandruNicolin Před rokem +3

    I think it could have been theoretically possible to re-cut the barrels of those Mosins for .303 British, since the bullets are about the same diameter as the 7.62x54mmR, around .311-312, and both are rimmed cartridges.

    • @RedXlV
      @RedXlV Před 11 měsíci +2

      They're also very similar in overall length, so it would probably have been workable in the existing Mosin magazine. The .303 rim is 0.76mm smaller than 7.62x54R, so there would need to be some alteration to the extractor, but otherwise probably the existing bolt would've been fine. It's kind of surprising that Estonia didn't do it, since they were already cutting the barrels down to the shorter length.

  • @kevinoliver3083
    @kevinoliver3083 Před 8 měsíci +1

    Its quite likely that some of these rifles did see combat use during WW2.
    Thousands of Estonians volunteered for the Wehrmacht, from September 1941. Serving in both Heer and Polizei battalions. These units mainly used captured Soviet weapons. Including those seized when Estonia was occupied in 1940.

  • @isaiahcampbell488
    @isaiahcampbell488 Před rokem +1

    Wow, that's a whole lot of help that Finland gave.

  • @ketchman8299
    @ketchman8299 Před rokem +1

    ANOTHER in the long line of Mosin variants. Cool.

  • @user-kt2tw2dg9u
    @user-kt2tw2dg9u Před rokem +1

    Thanks Ian, your vids are very imformative and interesting.
    atb brian

  • @rahseh
    @rahseh Před rokem +16

    Greetings from Estonia!

    • @langbo9999
      @langbo9999 Před rokem +1

      Thank you Estonia you are the reason we got the Danish flag 🇩🇰
      Greeting from Denmark 🇩🇰

    • @wkoell
      @wkoell Před rokem

      @@Wilhelm4131 It is still possible, we (Estonians) plan to stay even longer

    • @Anti_Septikum
      @Anti_Septikum Před 11 měsíci

      ​@@Wilhelm4131come, but don't live in the Russian areas

  • @spencercross3867
    @spencercross3867 Před 10 měsíci

    Thanks for the video!

  • @boltmonkey6869
    @boltmonkey6869 Před 11 měsíci +1

    I so love when Forgotten Weapons reviews a truly 'Forgotten' Weapon!

  • @sergecashman4822
    @sergecashman4822 Před rokem +8

    I didn't know Estonia had capitulated to the USSR before the WW2 without a fight. I'll have to read up on that. That makes me respect the Finns even more. Thankfully Estonia is doing well now.

    • @ShantyTowniekKMm
      @ShantyTowniekKMm Před rokem +1

      It's more like we didn't even have a chance to fight. K. Päts allowed the Russians to build bases in Estonia and when the time was right they just ceased our entire country with the units stationed here. After this move many Estonians fled into the woods to fight for their country's freedom as partisans, but these partisan movements were eventually snuffed out because mass deportation and propaganda scared the people into submission.

    • @user-vj6jb2mx1c
      @user-vj6jb2mx1c Před 11 měsíci

      Estonian people decided to join USSR willingly and forced their bourgeoisie to run, escaping from their own people's judgment. It was a great unfortune and tragedy of Finnish people that Red Army was at the moment of need unable to ensure a victory of Finnish Revolution as it did to Estonia. Revolution was drowned in blood, pro-nazi bourgeoisie took control, provoked USSR-Finnish war and turned Finnish people into WW2 alongside with Hitler. As about Estonia's well-doing - a strange words to describe a situation when about half the population left their country, industry is destroyed and it is a backwater of Europe. All they have is hatred and lies about their past and today.

    • @sergecashman5990
      @sergecashman5990 Před 11 měsíci +1

      @@user-vj6jb2mx1c Dude you’re crazy. Or maybe a Russian bot. If you mention “bourgeoisie” there’s something wrong with you.

    • @johanmetreus1268
      @johanmetreus1268 Před 11 měsíci

      @@user-vj6jb2mx1c so, Estonia is a backwater country that went totally down the drain when they got independent...and yet they have a much higher standard of living than most of Russia, which has a large population and an abundance of natural resources... Go Kremlin!

    • @egertroos-qh7hw
      @egertroos-qh7hw Před 9 měsíci +4

      ​@@user-vj6jb2mx1cWe didnt want to join. You would have attacked us just like Finland if we didnt accept base treaty

  • @rebelscumspeedshop8677
    @rebelscumspeedshop8677 Před rokem +4

    You know, I'm begining to think that you can blindfold Gun Jesus and wave a firearm under his nose and he will go " Ah yes ,Colt Army 1860 revolver manufactured in 1861 Taken from a union prisoner at Shiloh and used by the Confederacy till the end of the war".

  • @kantenklaus9753
    @kantenklaus9753 Před rokem +1

    the story behind these Mosin is far more interesting than the weapon itself.

  • @propdoctor21564
    @propdoctor21564 Před 11 měsíci +1

    Another excellent video as is always the case...👍👍

  • @wills2254
    @wills2254 Před rokem +2

    Great video always. Just makes me want a mosin more! Anybody have recomendations on the do's and don'ts of mosin buying?

  • @PeeterViljamaa
    @PeeterViljamaa Před rokem

    Very interesting. Thank you!

  • @wilhelmscream6919
    @wilhelmscream6919 Před 11 měsíci +1

    I still almost break my neck doing a double take when i see Estonia mentioned somewhere unexpected :D

  • @wagakkisugoi331
    @wagakkisugoi331 Před rokem +4

    Is this a second weapon from Estonia in this channel?

  • @Mrgunsngear
    @Mrgunsngear Před 11 měsíci

    Thanks

  • @agoogleaccount2861
    @agoogleaccount2861 Před rokem +4

    Estonian weapons and equipment can be quite interesting ..

  • @ricoarmstrong7440
    @ricoarmstrong7440 Před 11 měsíci +1

    7:55 "The germans were very influential at that time" You can say that again.

  • @Dominic1962
    @Dominic1962 Před 11 měsíci +1

    Learn something new every day. Never new Estonia did anything with the Mosin.

  • @holdom85
    @holdom85 Před rokem +1

    Great video

  • @jensenwilliam5434
    @jensenwilliam5434 Před 11 měsíci

    Thank you!!!

  • @nathanjohnson1853
    @nathanjohnson1853 Před rokem +261

    I guess we've finally discovered the perfect formula for a good Mosin: don't have it made by a Russian peasant. Have it be made by a Baltic peasant!

    • @jonaszukas3249
      @jonaszukas3249 Před rokem +14

      ​@@Aeroshogun 19 year old tank driver (who invented nothing in his lifetime) did not invent ak47, mr. Schmeisser did in ruzzian gulag.

    • @ph_pork0
      @ph_pork0 Před rokem +20

      @@jonaszukas3249 has anyone asked any hohol's opinion here?

    • @marttimattila9561
      @marttimattila9561 Před rokem +8

      Some of us have had a chance to born in the Farm, luck that you never had.

    • @greyroof3120
      @greyroof3120 Před rokem +17

      @@jonaszukas3249 So Schmeisser, who wasn't in a gulag but in a Soviet arms factory, designing weapons with top level Soviet designers made a gun that was made in a completely different factory by somebody who Schmeisser didn't even know and had no reason to know because why would one of the best gun designers at the time work with basically a nobody? By all available information Schmeisser wasn't involved in any way with the AK47 project. He didn't know Kalashnikov nor was he in the same factory the gun was made. Your version of the story makes no sense.

    • @joemungus6063
      @joemungus6063 Před rokem

      @@Aeroshogun it’s the government corruption that continues to this day brainwashing them to sign up for trench warfare and 60% casualty rates.

  • @Wolvaroo
    @Wolvaroo Před rokem +3

    Always pogged for Eesti content. One of my favourite countries. Almost bought a beautiful large acreage outside Viljandi but the Wife didn't want to emigrate...

  • @CyborgZeta
    @CyborgZeta Před rokem +2

    Neat Mosin. Shame the video had to end on a sad note.

  • @robertwilliams2623
    @robertwilliams2623 Před rokem +1

    Still looking for a mosins for me . Can find all kinds that need rebarrel but want to much for them.

  • @CamoGuy76239
    @CamoGuy76239 Před 11 měsíci +1

    The rear sights on those are way different than the rear sights on my Mosin Nagant; at what point did they change?

  • @sniperfreak223
    @sniperfreak223 Před rokem +2

    These are remarkably similar to the Finnish M/91RV dragoon conversions

  • @emilymoore378
    @emilymoore378 Před rokem +26

    Hey Ian, what would you do if you had to sabotage Elbonia if they wanted to equip themselves with firearms that could take bayonets?

    • @dennisfarris4729
      @dennisfarris4729 Před rokem +2

      Maybe a combination bayonet entrenching tool using the rifle as handle....

    • @briansmith3011
      @briansmith3011 Před rokem +3

      I think the first step would be to use a ridiculously long bayonet. Something over a 2ft blade length. Because a longer bayonet is better!

    • @strongback6550
      @strongback6550 Před rokem +2

      Shovel Bayonet! Who needs proper entrenching tools?

    • @sharonrigs7999
      @sharonrigs7999 Před rokem +1

      ​@@dangvorbei5304A chainsaw bayonet

    • @karlwilhelmmeinert7592
      @karlwilhelmmeinert7592 Před 11 měsíci +1

      @@dangvorbei5304 And add a protective shield as well.

  • @WindHaze10
    @WindHaze10 Před rokem +2

    Seeing Estonian flag in your video makes me a happy man.

  • @jorgS94
    @jorgS94 Před rokem +4

    I like those videos the best. Actual Guns.

  • @lleppala
    @lleppala Před rokem +2

    I suspect this rifle was used by Germany in ww2. It has a Soviet bolt in it. These were issued out to some Estonian Police auxiliary units during ww2 and the Soviets held some in inventory for the Moscow Militia

  • @voidxemz
    @voidxemz Před rokem +1

    Just my guess but I think serial number might be 10-month 31-day and 486-rifle number per month or year.

  • @thirdcoastfirebird
    @thirdcoastfirebird Před rokem +2

    This gun does look usable, and nice.

  • @happyhaunter_5546
    @happyhaunter_5546 Před 11 měsíci

    oooo I see a new reserves rifle for Elbonia; maybe in 7mm Nambu but with the old arshun sights :D

  • @loupiscanis9449
    @loupiscanis9449 Před rokem +1

    Thank you , Ian .
    🐺 Loupis Canis .

  • @martinswiney2192
    @martinswiney2192 Před rokem +2

    I find it hard to believe one could find fault with the original Mosin trigger. 😂

    • @chpet1655
      @chpet1655 Před rokem

      as it was perfect correct ?

  • @Mnkskanal
    @Mnkskanal Před rokem +2

    Next time when you are in Helsinki hop on the ferry and make a trip to the beautiful town if Tallinn (Reval). You will love it.

  • @zewalon
    @zewalon Před 11 měsíci +2

    Through history Estoani and Finland have been bros. I am from Finland i Estonia is dear,would portect it and its people as i would protect Finland.

  • @CGR89
    @CGR89 Před 11 měsíci +1

    Forget Estonian mosins, I want to see Elbonian mosins

  • @comiketiger
    @comiketiger Před 11 měsíci +1

    Great video. So interesting!
    God bless all here.

  • @ShiceSquad
    @ShiceSquad Před rokem +4

    The Balls of the Revolution and the most liberty-loving land in the EU: VIVA ESTONIA!

  • @kylemarvin4384
    @kylemarvin4384 Před rokem

    Very good.

  • @Bob-qk2zg
    @Bob-qk2zg Před rokem

    The worst thing about the Modin-Nagant is the trigger pull. That long, heavy, creaking trigger just does not endear the rifle to me.

  • @TheLemminkainen
    @TheLemminkainen Před 11 měsíci

    aitäh Thanks :) Eesti mainitud turule !

    • @Anti_Septikum
      @Anti_Septikum Před 11 měsíci

      Mida see tähendab? Mida sa mainid? Või ajasid sõnad segamini?

  • @toetagjeee
    @toetagjeee Před 11 měsíci

    Ian : no formalized battle. Execpt Raua Street battle between estonian army and soviet army.

  • @davidv.3135
    @davidv.3135 Před rokem

    Very Cool!

  • @federicodalferro2411
    @federicodalferro2411 Před rokem +2

    I always get confused by the differences between M1935, KL36 and KL.300. Will you publish a book about "Europeans" Mosins after the one on the Finnish Army?