M1867 Russian Krnka Explained

Obr.1867 Krnka
Origin:Russia
Type:Side-hinged lifting Breechblock
Is Ranged:yes
Service:1869–1880
Used By:Russian Empire
Kingdom of Bulgaria
Kingdom of Serbia
Kingdom of Montenegro
Wars:Russo-Turkish War
Russo-Japanese War
Balkan Wars
World War I
Designer:Sylvester Krnka
Design Date:1867
Manufacturer:Tula Arsenal
Variants:Infantry, Cavalry
Weight:4.5 / 4.9 kg / (without / with bayonet)
Length:1300 / 1800 mm (without / with bayonet)
Cartridge:15.24x40mmR
20.32×95mmR (M1876 Gana-Krnka)
Caliber:.60
Action:Lifting-Block
Rate:9 rounds per minute
Max Range:1200 arshins (850 m)
Feed:Single shot

The M1867 Russian Krnka (Винтовка Крнка́) was a breech loading conversion of the muzzle-loading Model 1857 Six Line rifle musket designed by Austro-Hungarian arms maker, Sylvester Krnka.

History

It was adopted by the Russian Empire in 1869, and was similar to the contemporary Snider-Enfield and Tabatiere conversions. Conversions were carried out at the Tula armory (TOZ).

Two main versions were produced: infantry and cavalry rifles. Shortly after its introduction to service,it replaced the Inkerman Model 1828 rifle the M1867 was replaced by the Berdan rifle, though both weapons would serve simultaneously for a time. The rifles were issued to conscripts and police forces in the Central Asian territories, like Samarkand.

After being taken out of service, many Krnka rifles were converted into cheap smoothbore hunting shotguns.[1]

Sources

Notes and References

  1. научный сотрудник Тульского музея оружия С. Севрюгина. Мосин - организатор производства охотничьего оружия // журнал «Охота и охотничье хозяйство», № 4, 1981. стр.20-21