Russian gun from the 1877/8 war

[Theodor]

Hi guys, this is my Krnka.

In other words, this is the main weapon of the Imperial Russian army in the 1877/78 war with the Turkish empire. Curiously, this is a conversion from a front-filling capsule gun to single shot bullet gun.

After the Crimea war, Russia faced the need to get a new gun, suitable for modern warfare. After searching the best way, the idea of the Czech weapons specialist Sebastian Krnka was chosen - well, maybe not the best way, but at least the cheapest and the most useful. The Russian army had a big stock of the old front-filling /front loading/ capsule guns. According to Krnka's method, the back side of the barrel was cut and a brass receiver screwed on the end. This the old weapons became single-shot bullet guns. The spring mechanism was untouched, just the hammer was modified, extended towards the central firing pin, in order to hit it.

The conversion wa made from 1867 to the early 1870's, more than 500 000 pieces were finished.

So, this is mine. Not perfectly preserved, but the silver birch barely survives time and bad storage, so this one is actually quite good preserved. Yes the hammer is broken, but I have a spare. Will have to find the front ring, that holds the barrel and the wood together - no big deal.

Edited August 19, 2006 by Theodor

[Theodor]

more details

[Theodor]

and another

[Theodor]

more

[Theodor]

last - maekred on the firing mechanism 1858, the Tula weapons factory /as said, that's the original mechanism, which was kept after the conversion, just with modified hitting hammer/.

[Theodor]

As said, unfortunately these more often appear in other condition. Here you see what I mean: the upper one is an infantry Krnka, all matching numbers, with firing mechanism made in Belgium /yes some of the guns converted were foreign make/. But the worms ate the buttstock and some cowboy cut the barrel!

The lower is barrel of the very rare Cossack cavallery Krnka - sadly the bronze receiver is badly smashed, fortunately it is exactly the same like any other so replacement can be found. Someday when have enough free time and gather spares, both will be restored.

Edited August 19, 2006 by Theodor

[Daniel Murphy]

Theodor,

Some nice rare pieces there. It is a shame they have been cared for so poorly, but hopefully you can bring them back. Please post some pics when you do.

Dan Murphy

[Hauptmann]

Hi Theodor,

"Very" nice rifle you have there! Only one I've ever seen. And the mechanism seems very reminiscent of the U.S. Trapdoor Springfield. Sounds like the same problem that was facing the U.S. at the end of the Civil War... tons of the old Springfield muskets/rifles but they were by then obsolete. What to do? Convert them to fire cartridges instead of the old front loading system.

I was supposed to inherit one from my father... sadly it, along with all his other guns and other collections were stolen from my. Long and rather sad, depressing and frustrating story. I sure miss his stuff as they were all pieces I grew up with. But I do hope to somehow manage to get a trapdoor one day... they are terrific rifles and great pieces of history. But these Russian rifles sure look tempting as well. I'll have to keep my eye out at future gun shows and such.

Thanks so much for sharing this great piece of history. And best of luck on the restorations.

Dan

[Cam_s]

Hello,

Very nice piece you have there. It reminds me alot of the British Sinder Enfield Rifles, because of the breech. What caliber was this rifle.

Thanks,

Cam

[Theodor]

Thank you for your comments!

Cam, It used huge 15,24 mm ammo /Russian 6 lines, or 0.60 cal./ The breech opens to the left, the fire rate is poor at 9 - 10 shots per minute. The extracting system was not good. The Ottoman army had much better weapons - the American-made Peabody-Martini /the same like the British Martini-Henry/ and Winchester.

Dan, sure I will, though have no idea whan will start rebuilding. A guy has the wood for the cavallery one, but still has no will to sell it. The other one needs also lots of work.

Dan /the other Dan/, that's a really bad story, any chances to get the pieces back??

[Hauptmann]

Thank you for your comments!

Cam, It used huge 15,24 mm ammo /Russian 6 lines, or 0.60 cal./ The breech opens to the left, the fire rate is poor at 9 - 10 shots per minute. The extracting system was not good. The Ottoman army had much better weapons - the American-made Peabody-Martini /the same like the British Martini-Henry/ and Winchester.

Dan, sure I will, though have no idea whan will start rebuilding. A guy has the wood for the cavallery one, but still has no will to sell it. The other one needs also lots of work.

Dan /the other Dan/, that's a really bad story, any chances to get the pieces back??

Hi Theodor,

Short answer... I sincerely doubt it.

PM sent.

Thanks,

Dan