The revolver of the "Nagant" system was developed by the Belgian brothers Nagan towards the end of the 19th century. These revolvers were produced at the tsarist arms factories in huge quantities, and after the revolution, the revolver began to be produced at the Soviet arms factories. Revolvers of the "Nagant" system were widely used not only during the Second World War, but also after its end. In some paramilitary organizations, weapons such as the revolver were used until the early 2000s.

The history of the creation of the revolver "Nagant"

The second half of the 19th century was remembered for the massive rearmament of almost all the armies of the world. The most perfect pistol at that time was the revolver, which was a real standard of reliable personal short-barreled weapons for officers and junior command personnel.

In the Belgian city of Liege, which at that time was considered one of the most advanced European cities in terms of the production of various weapons, there was a small family factory of the Nagant brothers. Their family workshop repaired various revolver systems, mostly of Dutch design. Over the years, the Nagan brothers have perfectly studied the device of revolvers, which gave them the opportunity to first make drawings, and then make their own models of pistols. By the way, in weapon terminology, only single-shot or automatic models of short-barreled small arms are called pistols. Models that have a classic revolving layout with a rotating drum are called revolvers.

The first revolver of the Nagant brothers, which became widely known, was the "revolver of the 1878 model of the year", which was presented by Emil Nagant at the tests of the Belgian military department and passed them with honor.

Revolver model 1878, which had a caliber of 9 mm, had the following main performance characteristics:

  • The revolver drum held 6 rounds;
  • The revolver could shoot both when cocked with a hand or without cocking, although more forces had to be expended, which significantly reduced the accuracy of shots;
  • The bullet had a fairly high stopping effect.

A few years later, another revolver of the "Nagant" system was developed, which was intended for junior command personnel. This model of 9 mm caliber had one feature that reduced its fighting qualities - after each shot it was necessary to recock the hammer. "9-mm revolver Nagant M / 1883" was developed with a deterioration in technical characteristics by order of the Belgian army, most likely to reduce its cost.

In total, several modifications were produced during this period, which differed in caliber and barrel length. Since the elder brother Emil Nagant soon fell seriously ill and almost completely went blind, all further developments and improvements were the work of Leon Nagant.

In 1886, a new model of the revolver was released, which not only lost some of the shortcomings of the old model, but also received a new 7.5 mm caliber. Since the transition to a smaller caliber became obvious in Europe, Leon Nagan was forced to take this measure. At the same time, the bullet fired from the new model of the revolver still had a sufficient stopping effect. In addition to this feature, the following changes were made to the design of the 1886 revolver:

  • The total weight of the weapon has been significantly reduced;
  • In the firing mechanism, 4 springs were replaced by one;
  • Improved overall system reliability and manufacturability.

The new model was appreciated not only by the Belgian army, but also by the armies of other European countries.

Adoption of the revolver of the "Nagant" system by the tsarist army

The Russian-Turkish war showed that the Russian army, like most armies in Europe, needed urgent modernization and massive rearmament. The Mosin rifle was chosen as the main rifle of the Russian army, and a commission was created to replace the outdated Smith-Wesson III linear revolver of the 1880 model, which developed a number of features necessary for a new military revolver. The description of these features is quite large:

  • The bullet of the new revolver must have a great stopping effect. Since this revolver was to be used, including for the fight against cavalry, the bullet had to stop the horse at a distance of up to 50 steps;
  • The power of the cartridges was supposed to ensure that the revolving bullet pierced pine planks about 5 mm thick;
  • Due to the fact that the mass of the old Smith-Wesson revolver was about 1.5 kg, it was not easy enough to shoot from it. The weight of the new revolver was not supposed to exceed 0.92 kg;
  • The caliber, rifling profiles of the barrel and other similar characteristics should have been identical to similar characteristics of the Mosin rifle, since in the further manufacture of revolvers, rejected rifle barrels can be used;
  • The new revolver should not have a self-cocking system, since, according to the commission, this negatively affects accuracy;
  • The bullet flight speed must be at least 300 m / s;
  • Accuracy of the new revolver should exceed the same parameters of the old model;
  • Simple and reliable overall design of the model;
  • Reliability in any conditions, readiness for battle, despite pollution;
  • The liners in the drum were not to be extracted at the same time. Such a strange wish is due to the fact that the reloading of the revolver drum, in which the casings are extracted at the same time, is much faster. The tsarist command was very worried that there would be many who like to shoot aimlessly, wasting state ammunition. It was precisely with this that the demand was connected to deprive the new revolver of the self-cocking system;
  • The drum must hold at least 7 rounds. At the same time, the cartridges themselves, which were loaded into the drum, had to have a jacketed bullet and be equipped with smokeless powder.

Since the state order promised huge profits, many large domestic and foreign arms companies rushed to apply for a competition for a new military revolver. In addition to revolvers, several variants of automatic pistols have been proposed.

In the end, there were two contenders left:

  1. A. Pipers, who presented the M1889 "Bayard" model;
  2. L. Nagan, with a model of a combat revolver model M1892.

The competition included 6 chargers and 7 chargers. As a result, the Nagant revolver won the competition, the characteristics of which were more consistent with the stated task. However, there is an opinion that Leon Nagant's victory was due not so much to the outstanding characteristics of his revolver as to his personal connections among Russian military officials. Some believe that the fact that the revolver extracts the sleeves one at a time played a role.

Since Nagan requested a significant amount of 75,000 rubles for his patent, the competition was declared invalid. The repeated competition had special conditions in which the amount of the remuneration was indicated. A prize for the new revolver was assigned in the amount of 20,000 rubles, plus an additional 5,000 rubles were supposed to be paid for the development of a cartridge for it. In addition, the designer had to give his invention to the buyer, who could later make it in any quantities, both at home and abroad.

After testing the new revolver, the commission recognized it as suitable. In addition, under the influence of the military officers who were on the commission, two models were adopted: a self-cocking model for officers and a non-self-cocking model for junior command personnel. Also, the Nagant system cartridges were adopted.

Description of the tactical and technical characteristics of the revolver Nagant arr. 1895

  • The production of a new revolver was launched at the Tula Arms Plant;
  • Weapon caliber - 7.62 mm;
  • The cartridges that were used for the revolver are 7.62 × 38 mm Nagant;
  • The weight of the revolver loaded with cartridges was 0.88 kg;
  • The drum held 7 rounds.

Revolvers of the Nagant system between 1895 and 1945

Before the outbreak of the First World War, the Russian army had more than 424,000 revolvers of the Nagant system, which accounted for about 97 percent of the total need for these weapons. When the first battles began, the loss of weapons was simply catastrophic, so the arms industry began to urgently modernize. As a result of innovations, over the period from 1914 to 1917, more than 474,000 Nagant revolvers were produced.

The revolver of the Nagant system was a reliable weapon that had a fairly simple design. Disassembling the Nagant was also not particularly difficult. In addition to the fact that the prime cost of the revolver was low, it still had a high maintainability. During and immediately after the revolution, the word "revolver" was called not only revolvers of any design, but also automatic pistols.

After conducting a comparative analysis of the two versions of the Nagant system, it was decided to leave the "officer" self-platoon version in service with the Red Army. Although in the 20s the question of replacing the revolver with a more effective short-barreled small arms was repeatedly raised, nevertheless, even after the appearance of the TT pistol in 1930, revolvers of the Nagant system continued to be produced.

The cost of a revolver with a set of cleaning tools was 85 rubles in 1939. Cleaning the revolver occurs immediately after firing, and consists in removing carbon deposits from the barrel and drum. In a calm environment, you need to re-clean the barrel and drum, and then wipe the barrel bore with a clean cloth for 3 days.

By the beginning of the Second World War, revolvers of the Nagant system were produced in fairly large volumes. During the period from 1932 to 1941, about 700,000 revolvers were produced at the Tula plant. During the Great Patriotic War, the Tula Arms Plant produced about 370,000 more revolvers. It is worth noting that the quality of the revolvers of the war years of production was rather low, which was due to the lack of a sufficient number of qualified weapon assemblers.

During the Second World War, it became finally clear that the revolver of the Nagant system was not suitable as a standard military pistol, since it had long been outdated. In 1945, the revolvers were removed from service by the army, but the police used them even before 1950.

The main modifications of the revolver of the Nagant system of the sample of 1895

Throughout the history of the production of revolvers of the Nagant system, 5 different modifications were produced at the Tula Arms Plant:

  1. Revolver for junior command personnel and soldiers, which has a non-self-cocking mechanism. These revolvers were discontinued in 1918;
  2. Nagant for officers, which was produced until 1945;
  3. Nagant carbine. Although few people know about the existence of this type of revolver, they were released for mounted border guards. Nagant carbines were of two modifications: with a barrel length of 300 mm and a fixed stock, and with a 200 mm barrel and a removable stock;
  4. There was also a special "command" revolver, which had a shortened barrel and handle. Most often used by employees of the NKVD;
  5. In 1929, the Nagant revolver with a silencer was released.

A small number of "Nagans" were produced in Poland. During the period from 1930 to 1939, at the plant in the city of Radom, 20,000 revolvers were assembled, named "Ng wz.30" and "Ng wz.32".

Review of revolvers "Nagant" modern years of release

Currently, there are two main models of revolvers of the Nagant system, which are used both as starting and as revolvers for sports shooting. In addition, there are often mass and size models (MMG) of Revolvers of the Nagant system. The most valuable MMGs are considered "hollow" versions of combat revolvers.

Nagant "Thunder" is the most popular model of the domestic revolver, which uses Flaubert's cartridges for firing. Nagant "Thunder" shoots lead bullets, caliber 4.2 mm. Since the "Thunder" revolver was remade from the military revolvers of the Tsarist and Soviet years of release, it is of historical value.

Revolver-revolver "Bluff" is one of the most famous starting revolvers in the CIS. As well as "Thunder", it is produced on the basis of combat models of revolvers.

The revolver of the 1895 model occupies an honorable place in the history of Russian short-barreled weapons. Due to the existence of sports and starter modifications, every person who wants to have such a sample in his collection can purchase it for a fairly modest amount.

Total released: 2 000 000 Specifications Weight: Weight of the revolver without cartridges, kg: 0.75

Weight of the equipped revolver, kg: 0.835

Length: 235 mm Barrel length: 114 mm (Number of grooves 4) Patron: 7.62 × 38 mm Nagant (muzzle velocity of a bullet, m / s 290

Bullet energy, J 290)

Caliber: 7.62 mm Mechanism: double acting mechanism Rate of fire, shots / min: 14-21 Muzzle velocity, m / s: 272 Sighting range: 50 Maximum range: 250 Ammunition type: 7-round drum Sight: Rear sight with an aiming slot on the top of the frame, front sight on the front of the barrel.

Revolver of the Nagan system, Revolver- a revolver developed by the Belgian gunsmiths brothers Emile ( Émile) and Leon ( Léon) Nagant ( Nagant), which was in service and produced in a number of countries at the end of the 19th - the middle of the 20th centuries.

History of creation

The M1893 model was also adopted by the Serbian army. The Argentine Navy orders Nagant revolvers for American caliber. 440 from factories in Germany. The Russian Empire buys a license for the production of a 3-line revolver and also orders its production from a Liege company.

The "classic" Nagant model of the 1895 model, as well as its modifications, are produced by numerous arms companies around the world. Among them: the Belgian Lepage, Bayard, Francote, the German Enel in Suhl, the Russian imperial Tula arms factory, the Spanish Arizmendi-Goenaga, the Polish one in the city of Radom and many others.

Adoption into service in Russia

Cavaliers of St. George with Nagant1915

At the end of the 19th century, the Russian Empire was forced to begin a massive rearmament of its army. A 3-line rifle of the Mosin system, model 1891, was chosen as the main sample of small arms.The standard revolver was a model of a 4.2-line (10.67-mm) revolver of the Smith-Wesson III system (1880), which was obsolete by that time. ... The search for promising models was connected to the "Commission for the development of a small-bore rifle" headed by Lieutenant General N. G. Chagin. The main requirements for the new army revolver were as follows:

  • Large stopping effect of a bullet. Since one of the main types of troops was cavalry, a shot at an effective range (up to 50 steps) should stop the horse.
  • The "combat strength" should be able to penetrate four to five inch pine planks
  • Small weight (0.82-0.92 kg).
  • The caliber, number, direction, profile of the rifling of the barrel, etc., must coincide with those of the Mosin three-line rifle, then in the manufacture of revolvers it will be possible to use defective rifle barrels.
  • The revolver should not be equipped with a "self-cocking" firing device, because it "has a harmful effect on accuracy."
  • The muzzle velocity of the bullet must be at least 300 m / s.
  • The revolver must have good accuracy of fire.
  • The design should be simple and technologically advanced.
  • The revolver must be reliable, insensitive to dirt and poor operating conditions, and easy to maintain.
  • The extraction of the sleeves should not be simultaneous, but sequential.
  • Sights must be sized so that the trajectory of the bullet crosses the line of sight at a distance of 35 steps.
  • Drum capacity not less than 7 rounds
  • Cartridge with flanged brass sleeve, shell bullet and smokeless powder.

The rejection of self-cocking firing and simultaneous extraction of spent cartridges was caused by the opinion that, firstly, they would complicate the design (which would negatively affect the reliability and cost of the revolver), and secondly, would lead to "excessive ammunition consumption."

The announced competition and the potential gigantic order aroused great interest among domestic and foreign arms manufacturers. Several modifications of the existing Smith-Wesson revolver, revolvers and automatic pistols were presented. The main struggle unfolded between the Belgian gunsmiths Henry Pieper with the model of the M1889 "Bayard" revolver and Leon Nagant with the M1892.

Leon Nagan had to remake the revolver for the Russian 7.62-mm caliber and, as in 1883, exclude the possibility of self-cocking, degrading the characteristics of the weapon in accordance with the requirements of the competition. Two options were presented - 6 and 7-round revolvers. The Pieper revolver was rejected due to its large mass and unreliable design. Leon Nagant's victory in the competition was probably largely due to the fact that he had long-established connections in the Russian military department (during a similar competition for small arms, the Nagant rifle lost to Mosin's designs, but Leon Nagan received a huge prize of 200,000 rubles in gold) ... For a patent for a revolver, Nagant requested 75,000 rubles, which he was ultimately refused and a repeated competition was appointed with new specified conditions. In addition to the characteristics, they stipulated a bonus: 20,000 rubles for the design of the revolver and 5,000 for the design of the cartridge; or additional payments to the inventor. " Pieper submitted redesigned revolvers with original automatic equipment to the competition, which the commission considered "witty, but not practical." The six-barreled revolver of S. I. Mosin was also rejected. Adjustments in the design of the Nagant revolver were less significant and after comparative tests with the 4.2-line Smith-Wesson revolver, the design was approved. Interestingly, according to the results of military tests, the officers participating in them expressed an insistent desire to get a "double action" revolver with the possibility of self-cocking firing. Returning to the self-cocking version of the revolver, the commission did not find it completely satisfactory either, so it was decided to adopt two types of revolvers for the Russian army: a double-action officer and a non-self-cocking soldier.

After a number of minor changes, the design was approved in the spring of 1895. By decree of Nicholas II, the Nagant revolver was adopted by the Russian army on May 13, 1895. The purchase price of a revolver produced in Belgium did not exceed 30-32 rubles for the Russian army. The contract provided for the supply of 20,000 revolvers of the 1895 model over the next three years. Also, the Belgian side was contractually obliged to provide assistance in setting up the production of revolvers at the Imperial Tula Arms Factory. The design of the Russian-made revolver underwent a slight modernization: the back of the handle was made in one piece (and not split as in the Belgian version), the shape of the front sight was simplified. The production technology has also been improved. The cost of the Tula "Nagan" was 22 rubles 60 kopecks. The five-year order from 1895 to 1904 was 180,000 units.

7.62-mm revolving cartridge ("Nagant"), see 7.62 × 38 mm Nagant
Caliber, mm 7,62
Chuck length (sleeve), mm 38,3-38,8
Sleeve neck diameter, mm 7,1-7,8
Sleeve body diameter, mm 9,0-9,1
Sleeve flange diameter, mm 9,7-9,9
Bullet type Sheath with lead core
Bullet length, mm 16,26-16,51
Bullet length in calibers 2,1
Bullet diameter, mm 7,79-7,82
Macca patron, G 11,6-12,8
Sleeve weight, G 4,83
Bullet weight, G 6,2-7,2
Core weight, G 5,22-5,40
Charge weight, G 0,54-0,89

The first successful combat use of revolvers of the Nagant design dates back to 1900. The Russian Expeditionary Force took part in suppressing the "boxer uprising" in China. On June 3, 1900, while capturing the Taku fortification, which blocked the mouth of the Peikho River, the commander of the combined company of the 12th Siberian Regiment, Lieutenant Stankevich, who was one of the first to burst into the enemy's location, shot two attacking Chinese soldiers.

Reduction of appropriations by the military department since 1903 led to a sharp decrease in the production of revolvers, and only the outbreak of the Russo-Japanese War forced the government to send emergency loans for the purchase of weapons. In 1905, the Tula plant was ordered to produce 64830 units of the 1895 model revolver, but only 62917 "revolvers" were produced. After the war, funding for the army rearmament program was once again reduced, and an interdepartmental commission, created in 1908, allowed the manufacture of revolvers by orders directly from military units.

Combat modifications

  • Before the First World War, a limited number of carbines with a barrel length of 300 mm and an integral butt and a revolver with a barrel extended to 200 mm and a removable butt were issued for the border troops.

A shortened (so-called "command") revolver of the Nagant.

  • In 1927, a more compact version of the revolver was developed for employees of the OGPU and NKVD, involving hidden carrying. The length of the barrel and handle was reduced. From 1927 to 1932, a shortened Nagant revolver, created by order of the NKVD, was produced in small batches for operational workers. The main goal was to reduce weight and size.

Using mufflers

Before the Second World War, an experimental batch of revolvers equipped with the BRAMIT silent-flameless firing device was produced for reconnaissance and sabotage units.

Sports modifications

On the basis of the revolver of the 1895 model, E.L. Khaidurov created the TOZ-36 sports revolver, a modified version of which in 1967 received the TOZ-49 index. This modification features a shortened drum chambered for a special cartridge. Sports / training revolvers were also produced for the standard small-bore rimfire cartridge.

Traumatic modifications

On the basis of the Nagan revolver, a traumatic "rubber-firing" civilian self-defense weapon P1 "Naganych" chambered for the 9P was developed. A. (Ukrainian versions - "Combat" and a shortened "Kombrig") and "Nagan-M" chambered for 10x32T. In the production of "Naganych" and "Nagan-M", revolvers (of any year of manufacture) stored in warehouses are used, which are subject to modification, excluding the combat use of the product.

The performance characteristics of the Nagant mod. 1895:
Caliber, mm - 7.62x38R (7.62 Nagant)
Overall length, mm - 235
Barrel length, mm - 110
Weight with drum without cartridges, gr - 795
Weight with a loaded drum, gr - 880
Drum capacity - 7
Effective rate of fire - 7 shots in 15-20 s

The famous 7.62-mm revolver Nagant, adopted by the Russian army in 1895, was developed in Belgium and has a long history of its appearance. The Belgian brothers Nagant (Emile and Henri-Leon Nagant) began developing revolvers back in the 1880s, and by 1894 they had obtained patents for a revolver with propellant gas obturation. In 1895, the revolver of the revolver brothers system was put into service in tsarist Russia, and - in two versions - for officers and the police, a conventional revolver with a double action trigger was provided (allowing firing and self-cocking, that is, by pulling the trigger without first cocking the hammer .), and for the lower ranks the revolvers had a simplified single-action trigger (in which, before each shot, you need to manually cock the trigger).

The first deliveries of revolvers to Russia were from Belgium, but since about 1898 the production of revolvers arr. 1895 was established in Russia, in Tula at the Tula Arms Factory (TOZ). It is believed that a number of revolvers made in Russia were supplied to the Romanian army, but most likely it was an experimental batch intended for testing and testing.

Moreover, if the purchase price of the Belgian revolver was 30-32 rubles, then the Tula "revolver" cost only 22 rubles 60 kopecks. The state order for the five-year plan from 1895 to 1904 amounted to 180 thousand weapons.

The revolver of the 1895 model was distinguished by its comparative simplicity of design, manufacturability and low cost. The complexity of manufacturing one revolver was about 30 machine-hours. At the same time, some assembly operations (installation of the axes of the mechanism in a frame) required a sufficiently high qualification of personnel. In combat conditions, one of the main advantages was simplicity in operation and reliability: for example, a misfire did not affect the ability to fire the next shot and did not cause a delay. You can also note the high maintainability of the revolver.

The revolver of the 1895 model was designed for a 7.62 mm cartridge, which allowed Russian manufacturers to unify plant equipment for the production of both revolving and rifle barrels.

The stopping effect of the revolver's bullet was small; some of its increase was achieved thanks to the use of bullets with a sheared head. Fighting force from 35 steps (35 steps (25 m) on a package of dry pine boards, 2.54 cm (one inch) thick, located at a distance of 8 cm from one another, penetration is observed: 3 boards - 100% bullets, 4 boards - 70%, 5 boards - 25% One board can be punched at a distance of up to 200 steps (140 m).

Revolver system Nagant arr. 1895 had a monolithic one-piece frame. On the left side of the frame there is a removable steel cover that repeats the shape of the handle base and is designed for easy inspection and maintenance of weapon mechanisms. A round steel barrel with 4 right-hand grooves is screwed into the frame of the weapon. Under the barrel, on a movable sleeve, there is a liner ejector rod, in the firing position located in the axis of the drum. On the outer surface of the drum there are oval grooves and small grooves for fixing the drum turns. The trigger is C-shaped. The trigger guard is movable and, if necessary, goes down. The wooden cheeks of the revolver handle are fastened together with a screw. Convex steel oval butt pad with a movably reinforced ring for a safety cord.

Sights of the open type consist of a movable front sight with legs that slide into the groove of the front sight base on the barrel and the rear sight in the form of a long sighting groove on the upper plane of the frame, ending with a cut-out sight.

The firing mechanism of the hammer type with an open hammer, a long firing pin rigidly fixed to the hammer, the hammer with a rebound. Loading and extraction are carried out one cartridge at a time through a hinged door on the right side of the frame; for extraction, a special extractor rod is used, in the stowed position, partially hidden inside the hollow axis of the drum. The extractor is moved to the working position by pulling it forward and turning it on a special rocking lever rotating around the barrel.

The scheme for loading and extracting the Nagant revolver was, of course, not ideal - revolvers of such systems as Smith and Wesson or Colt had drums that were hinged to the side, were simpler and had a greater practical rate of fire. However, revolvers arr. 1895 had an indisputable advantage over many other models, and above all this is a method of obturation of powder gases. In other revolvers, when fired, part of the powder gases breaks through into the gap between the breech cut of the barrel and the front end of the drum, but in Nagan this problem was successfully solved.

When the hammer was cocked, a special lever fed the drum slightly forward, while the tail of the barrel entered a recess in the drum. In addition, the special 7.62-mm cartridge had an elongated, tapered sleeve with a protruding rim. The bullet was completely drowned inside. The muzzle of the sleeve was narrowed, and when the drum was moving forward, it entered the breech of the barrel, providing additional obturation. This design complicated the design of the revolver, but provided real advantages over traditional systems. First of all, it is the survivability of the weapon and the accuracy of the battle, for which they were so appreciated by professional shooters.

The presence of self-cocking ensures the constant readiness of the weapon for firing and the rapid opening of fire. The revolver has good accuracy due to its easy-to-hold layout and low recoil force.

Good compliance provides convenience for offhand shooting and an aiming range of up to 50 m. The release force of the revolver about 1.5 kg with the hammer cocked allows, without knocking down the aiming of the weapon, to produce aimed shooting. When firing self-cocking, the cocking and triggering force is approximately 3.5 kg, which ensures safety in handling the weapon and allows for sufficiently accurate shooting at a distance of up to 20 m.

The disadvantages of the Nagant include a low muzzle energy (about 200 J), which negatively affects the effectiveness of the impact on living targets - the lethal and stopping effect of a bullet is not enough for a weapon of this caliber. The "soldier" model is not suitable enough for self-defense. The lack of self-cocking and the high position of the trigger spoke, which makes it difficult to cocking with the hand holding the weapon, practically exclude the instant use of the weapon.

The main drawback of the design of the revolver is the complexity of its reloading. In fact, it is a single-use weapon, since reloading in close combat is almost impossible, which negates the advantage in drum capacity compared to other revolvers. The low propellant charge makes the cartridge sensitive to temperature changes. So, in severe frost, the initial bullet speed drops to 220 m / s, which makes it ineffective to shoot at even a weakly protected enemy.

One of the first baptisms of fire of the Russian version of the "revolver" took place on June 3, 1900, when the Russian troops pacified the so-called "boxer uprising" in China.

Reduction of appropriations by the military department since 1903 led to a sharp decrease in the production of revolvers, and only the outbreak of the Russo-Japanese War forced the government to send emergency loans for the purchase of weapons. In 1905, the Tula plant was ordered to produce 64,830 revolver units of the 1895 model, but only 62,917 revolvers were produced. After the war, funding for the army rearmament program was once again reduced, and an interdepartmental commission created in 1908 allowed the manufacture of revolvers by orders directly from military units.

So, in 1912 - 1913. for a separate corps of the border guards, a number of revolvers with barrels extended to 300 mm and a wooden butt were released. The carbine was intended for horse-drawn shooters and allowed aimed shooting at a distance of up to 100 meters. However, the large dimensions (total length of almost 700 mm), the low destructive power of a light bullet and the slowness of reloading prompted the abandonment of the elongated revolver. At the same time, they developed a version of a revolver with a 200 mm barrel and a removable wooden butt for arming the lower ranks in the technical troops (machine gunners, signalmen, telegraph operators, sappers), who were previously given both rifles and revolvers. But this model was also considered unacceptable.

The tsarist government began to prepare for a big war too late: the "Large program to strengthen the army" was announced only on July 7, 1914, three weeks before the start of the First World War. At this time, the armies of developed countries are beginning to replace revolvers with self-loading pistols, the best examples of which are superior to revolvers in terms of combat characteristics (especially in rate of fire, reloading speed and dimensions). In Russia, the next rearmament was considered inexpedient.

By July 20, 1914, according to the report card, there were 424,434 Nagant revolvers of all modifications (out of 436,210), that is, the army was provided with revolvers by 97.3%, but already in the first battles, weapons losses were significant. Measures were taken to reconstruct the arms industry, and 474,800 revolvers were produced from 1914 to 1917.

The production of revolvers did not stop either during the revolutionary years or during the Civil War. From 1918 to 1920 alone, 175 115 thousand Nagant revolvers were produced. By the mid-20s. The Soviet state was able to start revising the equipment of the Red Army (Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army) and supplying it with new types of weapons. Taking into account the experience of the First World War and the Civil War, it was decided, simultaneously with the creation of self-loading pistols, to modernize the well-proven revolvers.

The Red Army adopted only the self-cocking ("officer") version of the revolver with a double action trigger, while the technological documentation in 1918 was transferred to the metric measurement system. During the Civil War, the Tula Arms Plant continued to produce revolvers - in the period from 1918 to 1920, 175 115 pieces were manufactured. (52 863 units in 1918, 79 060 units in 1919 and 43 192 units in 1920).

After the end of the civil war, the question of rearming the Red Army was repeatedly raised. Officially, Naganas were declared obsolete in Russia in 1930, with the adoption of the TT pistol arr. 1930, however, production of Nagans continued until 1950.

In 1927, the Tula plant mastered a modification with a shortened barrel (up to 85 mm) and a handle - a "commander's" revolver, intended for operatives of the OGPU and NKVD, where the specifics of the service required the hidden carrying of weapons. It was produced in small quantities until 1932.

In 1929, the Mitin brothers developed a silencer (PBS) for a revolver - the so-called "Bramit device" (BRAMIT - Bratya Mitin), which made it possible to successfully use the revolver during reconnaissance and sabotage operations of the Red Army during the war. The device was a cylinder with a diameter of 32 mm and a length of 140 mm, the inner part of which was divided into two chambers, each of which ends with an obturator with a cylindrical gasket made of soft rubber with a thickness of 15 mm. In the first chamber there is a cut-off device, in the walls of the chambers for bleeding off powder gases there are two holes with a diameter of 1 mm. When fired, the bullet alternately pierces both obturators and leaves the device, the powder gases, expanding in the first chamber, lose pressure and slowly bleed out through the side opening. Part of the powder gases, which broke through with the bullet through the first obturator, expands in the second chamber. As a result, the sound of the shot is significantly damped.

In June-July 1930, the design and production technology of the revolver underwent a slight modification: the sight slot instead of a triangular one became semicircular, the front sight was supposed to be replaced with a rectangular one, but then a more complex semicircular-truncated shape was introduced.

The cost of one revolver "revolver" (with a set of spare parts) in 1939 was 85 rubles.

Until the beginning of World War II, the production of revolvers and pistols at the Tula plant was maintained at approximately the same level; from 1932 to 1941, more than 700,000 revolvers were produced. The advantages of pistols were quite obvious to the leadership of the Red Army, however, for a number of reasons, the TT pistol and revolvers were produced in parallel. One of the reasons was the opinion that the pistol must necessarily be suitable for firing through the embrasures of the tank. The TT pistol was clearly not suitable for this, and the new models of pistols, which did not have a closed barrel, turned out to be worse than the TT. In 1941, the Tula Arms Plant was evacuated to Udmurtia, to the city of Izhevsk, where the production of revolvers continued, and in 1942 a partial re-evacuation from Izhevsk to Tula was carried out.

In the nineteenth century, many states began to re-equip their armies. Since revolvers as personal short-barreled firearms were characterized by high reliability and simple design, they were considered by European craftsmen as the most promising examples.

In the Belgian city of Liège, the “Leon and Emile Nagant Armory Factory” began its activities. In this family workshop, the brothers-gunsmiths carried out the repair of Dutch-made revolvers. Later, the factory started making its own samples. It was here that the weapon was created, which later became known in history as the revolver pistol "Nagant".

Since this model was used in the civil war in Russia, it became a symbol of the 1917 revolution. The article contains information about the history of creation and the device of the Nagant pistol.

How did it all begin?

In 1877, the eldest of the brothers, Emil, patented a drawing for the design of a revolver, which later became the basis for the legendary Nagant pistol. The model under the designation "Revolver M1877" was adopted by the Dutch army. After a small upgrade, the armies of Norway, Sweden, Belgium, Argentina, Brazil and Luxembourg were armed with this six-round revolver.

World renown

Basically, the revolver was used in the Belgian army. Thanks to the positive reviews of the Belgian soldiers, this version of the pistol, like the Nagant brothers' factory itself, gained worldwide fame in the arms market.

Development

In the version of the Nagant pistol, assembled in 1895, the brothers managed to combine the best qualities from all previous developments. As a result, the M1892 revolver was considered a classic. Until 1940, the Belgian police used this particular modification of the Nagant pistol. The cartridge for this weapon also contained smokeless powder, but the caliber of the bullet was increased to 9 mm. The ammunition was contained in a special movable drum. Its rotation was carried out in a horizontal plane. The appearance of the following modifications made no significant changes to the design of the 1895 Nagant pistol.

What is a revolving drum?

This detail in the "Nagant" pistol simultaneously performs the functions of a chamber and a magazine. Most revolver models are equipped with drums that can hold seven rounds. The drum, with its hollow axis in the front of the revolver, is inserted into a frame, on which it is fixed with a special ramrod tube. It is attached to the barrel neck in front of the drum.

In revolvers, in which the drum is pushed onto the barrel, a special return mechanism is used. The right side of the Nagant pistol (a photo of the weapon is presented in the article) has become a place for placing a locking device - a special spring-loaded door. In order to charge the weapon, the shooter just needs to open (swing aside) the door. The unloading of the Nagant pistol is carried out in the same way. Disassembly of weapons begins precisely with opening the door and removing the drum. Ammunition is located in special slots. When the door is folded back, cartridges are inserted into them. To prevent ammunition from falling out of the weapon, the door should be returned to the closed position. In addition, the door prevents the drum from turning counterclockwise.

USM device

Revolvers "Nagant" are equipped with hammer, designed for double action, firing mechanisms. The pistols contain strikers, which are hingedly mounted on the triggers. The handle has become a place for the location of the two-blade lamellar mainspring. There are no fuses for revolvers. During the first tests of the weapon, the designers noticed leaks of powder gases in the place of the breech cut and the front end of the drum. It was possible to correct this drawback by using a trigger mechanism that pushed the drum forward each time before firing. Thus, during the cocking of the hammer, the drum is displaced forward by actuating a specific locking mechanism. Further, due to the trigger, the drum is locked, and its rotation is stopped.

Sample for the Russian army

In 1879, the Naval Ministry of Tsarist Russia purchased a small batch of Nagant pistols from a Belgian manufacturer. The technical characteristics and design features of these revolvers have been improved in comparison with the previous models of 1877. The new weapon purchased by Russia (one thousand units) was intended for firing 7.5 mm ammunition. The cartridges were equipped with jacketed bullets and used smokeless powder. For revolvers of the "Nagant" system, cartridges from brass cases were specially created. Gunsmiths noted that the use of such cartridges provides high ballistic performance. In addition, the bullet fired had a decent initial velocity. Front sight and rear sight were used as sights.

Belgian weapons in tsarist Russia

The end of the nineteenth century in the Russian Empire was the period when a massive rearmament of the army was carried out. Modernization has not spared personal firearms for soldiers and officers. A specially created commission, engaged in the selection of the most promising models from a large assortment of army revolvers, formulated the requirements for weapons. The best samples were considered on a competitive basis. Only a model that possessed the following qualities could become a winner:

  • Great stopping effect.
  • High combat strength. The bullet fired from the revolver was supposed to pierce five-inch pine planks.
  • Ease. The optimum weight should not exceed 0.92 kg.
  • Barrel rifling, in terms of number, caliber and direction, should have been identical to the rifling in Mosin's three-line rifles. This requirement is explained by the fact that in the event of breakdowns of the rifle, its barrel could later be used in the manufacture of a revolver.
  • Pistols should not be equipped with self-cocking devices, as, in the opinion of gunsmiths, this negatively affects accuracy.
  • The muzzle velocity of the bullet is not less than 300 m / s.
  • Uncomplicated design.
  • High accuracy of the battle.
  • Reliability and ease of use. The revolver must be immune to extreme conditions.
  • Alternate extraction of the shot casings. Both self-cocking and simultaneous extraction, according to gunsmiths, entails a complication of the revolver design and excessive ammunition consumption. Consequently, the production of pistols will be more labor intensive and require large financial investments. The price of the finished product for the consumer will also rise.
  • The presence of sighting devices designed for shooting at a distance of at least 35 meters.
  • Using cartridges with smokeless powder and jacketed bullets in flanged brass sleeves.

Competition

The main competitor for the Nagant revolvers produced in 1895 (М1892) were similar weapons of the Belgian gunsmith Henri Pieper - М1889 "Bayard". Adhering to the conditions of the competition, Leon Nagant reduced the caliber of the M1892 from 9 mm to 7.62 mm. In addition, in the design of the revolver, he excluded the possibility of self-cocking firing. He also made two versions of drums, designed for six and seven rounds. The jury was presented with two samples of Nagant pistols. The characteristics of Henri Pieper's revolvers were inferior to those of the M1892: the Bayard revolver was heavier and had an unreliable design. As a result, he was rejected. And the Nagant pistol was adopted by the tsarist army of Russia after minor design improvements.

Specifications М1892

The revolver, designed in 1892, did not begin production until 1895. The model has the following parameters:

  • The revolver is equipped with an automatic platoon drum for 7 rounds.
  • The weapon has an initial speed of 272 m / s.
  • The revolver is intended for shooting at a distance of up to 700 meters.
  • The force of the battle is 210 J.
  • Caliber 7.62 x 32 mm
  • Rate of fire - the drum (seven rounds) is released within 20 seconds.
  • The weapon weighs 0.75 kg with an empty drum. With ammunition - 0.83 kg.
  • The dimensions of the revolver are 234 x 114 mm.
  • The revolver provides targeted shooting at a distance of up to 50 meters.

The article presents a photo of the Nagant M1892 pistol.

What do the Nagant models have in common?

In all versions of the pistols of the Nagant brothers, the following characteristic design features can be distinguished:

  • Each revolver modification is equipped with a double-action trigger mechanism. This allows the shooter to use the weapon, having previously cocked the hammer, as well as self-cocking. The exception was pre-revolutionary models, in which, in order to reduce the consumption of cartridges, self-cocking mechanisms were blocked.
  • The revolvers are based on a monolithic one-piece frame.
  • The drum is opened due to the door swung to the side. However, in the revolver of 1910, this door did not open to the side, but back.
  • Blind fit of the revolving barrel into the frame.
  • All models use a cleaning rod. Before firing, it is hidden in the axis of the drum. During the operation of the weapon, the ramrod is used as an extractor: it pushes out the shot casings.
  • The frames are equipped with flat covers that cover the revolver mechanism.
  • In all models of revolvers of the Nagant system, drums are used as a chamber and magazine.

Glacier 2012: trauma.

Over the decades while the M1892 was in service, it gained very great popularity. This model of the Belgian craftsmen is interesting to many lovers of rare weapons, which was taken into account by modern weapons manufacturers. Since gas models designed for self-defense are in great demand today, the Gletcher NGT Black Nagant air pistol was created on the basis of the combat М1892. This option entered the Russian arms market in 2012. The black Nagant pistol is one of the most popular gas models today. Manufacturers have tried to give the traumatic weapon an external resemblance to a combat analogue. According to consumer reviews, the weight and size parameters of the Nagant air pistol do not differ from the M1892.

Gas model description

For the gas Nagant, the manufacturer used silumin. Wanting to give the weapon the effect of blued steel, the developers chose a black material. In some batches, Nagant air pistols have a silver coating. For the cheeks under the handle of the master, plastic is used, which is a successful imitation of wood. The Nagant traumatic pistol is equipped with a CO2 reservoir, which is a source of energy. Due to the firing mechanism, firing from a gas sample is possible in two ways:

  • after the pre-cocked trigger, which the shooter performs manually;
  • self-cocking.

Operating principle

Unlike its military counterpart, the gas "Nagant" does not provide for the drum sliding along the barrel during firing. The drum in "Glacier" does not rotate, but remains in a motionless position. This completely eliminates gas leakage and increases sealing. As in the real Nagan, in the traumatic version it is also possible to remove the drum from the frame. The body of the Glacier is equipped with a manual safety device that is used to lock the hammer and trigger. Shoots weapons with copper-coated steel shot (BB). Before starting operation, the bullet is mounted in a false cartridge - a special device made of two rubber inserts designed to prevent gas leakage.

NGT products fire original ammunition that will not fit other similar models. In order to charge the revolver, the shooter must insert the cartridges into the drum one at a time, while rotating it clockwise. If the bullet is inserted correctly, a characteristic click should be heard. The drums in Glaciers are not folding. The inside of the pistol grip is used for the gas cartridge. Outside, it is closed with plastic overlays.

Specifications

The traumatic revolver "Nagan" has the following characteristics:

  • The weight of the weapon is 700 g.
  • The pistol is designed for firing 4.5 mm bullets.
  • The force of the battle is 3 J.
  • The released bullet is capable of developing a maximum muzzle velocity of up to 120 m / s. However, judging by the numerous reviews of the owners, after 60 shots the muzzle velocity drops to 90 m / s.
  • CO2 gas is used as a filling material for the cylinder.
  • The revolver is used for shooting at a distance of up to 230 meters.

As evidenced by the reviews of the owners of these traumatic "Nagans", one canister is enough to fire 100-105 shots. In this parameter, other pneumatic pistols are inferior to "Glacier". In addition, to lower the self-cocking system in the traumatic "Nagan", unlike its combat counterpart, less effort is required - only 3 kg, which increases the accuracy of shooting and comfort in operation.

Army modifications

On the basis of the revolver of the "Nagant" system, the following special combat variants have been developed for military personnel:

  1. "Soldier"... The design of the revolver uses a non-self-cocking firing mechanism.
  2. "Officer"... This "Nagan" has a trigger mechanism.
  3. "Commander"... This model is a compact version of the revolver: the barrel length is reduced to 85 mm, the handle is shortened. Designed in 1927. Serial production in small batches was carried out specifically for the OGPU and the NKVD (25 thousand units). Discontinued in 1932. The model was intended for hidden wearing.
  4. Revolver "Nagant" using the "BraMit" silent-flame firing device. This device, which acts as a muffler, was developed by the Mitin brothers in 1929. The disadvantage of pistols equipped with such devices was that when firing, the muffler took up part of the energy, as a result of which the shutter could not go through the entire cycle, which led to distortions of the cartridges. When firing from a revolver with a silencer, these disadvantages were not observed. Silent firing attachments have been designed to fit perfectly with revolving barrels. They do not need to be redone or adapted. Special brackets were used to fix BraMit devices. Revolvers equipped with these devices were used by the reconnaissance and sabotage units of the Red Army.

5. "Nagant" WZ.30.- a revolver made in Poland in 1895. Serial production was carried out during 1930-1939. in the city of Radom. About 20 thousand units were manufactured.

Civilian models

For fans of firearms, the following options for revolvers of the "Nagant" system are presented:

  1. MMG. The revolver is a collectible and stage souvenir model. It can also be used as a museum piece. Outwardly, the revolvers do not differ from the combat ones, however, on the drums of the MMG revolvers there are inscriptions: "uch." This means that the pistol can be used for training purposes.
  2. Carbine KR-22 "Falcon". This revolver of the "Nagant" system is a special conversion model. The barrel length is 50 cm. The design has an integral wooden stock and a wooden forend. The revolver weighs 2 kg. Serial production started in 2010.
  3. "Thunder". The revolver is a conversion model. Used for sports and training purposes. The pistol is intended for firing 4 mm caliber Flaubert cartridges.
  4. "Nagan-S" VPO-503. This signal pattern is also called "Bluff". The "Nagant" signal pistol was developed in 2006. Produced at the Vyatsko-Polyansky Molot plant. The storage of combat revolvers in special warehouses and their further alteration is also carried out there. Due to its peculiar design (the presence of a bored barrel and a plug in the breech), it is impossible to convert the "Nagan-S" signal pistol into a military weapon. Externally, the signal model is identical to its combat counterpart. Starting pistols "Nagan" are disassembled and serviced in the same way as real ones. The frames of revolvers are characterized by the presence of serial numbers and control terminals. The workers of the Izhevsk Arms Plant began to produce pistols of the Nagant system. The following design changes have been made to the device:
  • changed the shape of the plug in the breech;
  • reduced the diameter of the bore of the trunks;
  • removed the serial numbers and control terminals from the frames and drums of revolvers;
  • stopped milling the frames of the breeches of the barrel;
  • chambers in drums do not contain pressed bushings chambered for “Zhevelo” cartridge. For installation, a special thread is used;

  • the revolver is completed with a wiper and a double-sided screwdriver.

5. MP-313. In 2008, the serial production of revolvers was discontinued at the Molot plant.

6.P-2. The revolver of the "Nagant" system is an improved model of the "Bluff" and MP-313. The pistol is produced at the machine-building plant in Izhevsk. The design of this sports model is characterized by:

  • The presence of a special pin, which is used as a plug. It is inserted into the revolving barrel from the right side through the frame. The place where the pin was inserted was carefully welded and sanded by the factory workers. This makes the starter model very authentic. In addition, the developers decided to keep the rifling in the barrel.
  • The drilled drums are equipped with standard inserts for the Zhevelo chuck.

Conclusion

The attitude to revolvers of the "Nagant" system in Russia, as well as in other CIS countries, is ambiguous. Since this weapon was mainly used by employees of the repressive authorities until the 1950s, its name evokes negative associations among some users.

In the nineteenth century, many states began to re-equip their armies. Since revolvers as personal short-barreled firearms were characterized by high reliability and simple design, they were considered by European craftsmen as the most promising examples.

In the Belgian city of Liège, the “Leon and Emile Nagant Armory Factory” began its activities. In this family workshop, the brothers-gunsmiths carried out the repair of Dutch-made revolvers. Later, the factory started making its own samples. It was here that the weapon was created, which later became known in history as the revolver pistol "Nagant".

Since this model was used in the civil war in Russia, it became a symbol of the 1917 revolution. The article contains information about the history of creation and the device of the Nagant pistol.

How did it all begin?

In 1877, the eldest of the brothers, Emil, patented a drawing for the design of a revolver, which later became the basis for the legendary Nagant pistol. The model under the designation "Revolver M1877" was adopted by the Dutch army. After a small upgrade, the armies of Norway, Sweden, Belgium, Argentina, Brazil and Luxembourg were armed with this six-round revolver.

World renown

Basically, the revolver was used in the Belgian army. Thanks to the positive reviews of the Belgian soldiers, this version of the pistol, like the Nagant brothers' factory itself, gained worldwide fame in the arms market.

Development

In the version of the Nagant pistol, assembled in 1895, the brothers managed to combine the best qualities from all previous developments. As a result, the M1892 revolver was considered a classic. Until 1940, the Belgian police used this particular modification of the Nagant pistol. The cartridge for this weapon also contained smokeless powder, but the caliber of the bullet was increased to 9 mm. The ammunition was contained in a special movable drum. Its rotation was carried out in a horizontal plane. The appearance of the following modifications made no significant changes to the design of the 1895 Nagant pistol.

What is a revolving drum?

This detail in the "Nagant" pistol simultaneously performs the functions of a chamber and a magazine. Most revolver models are equipped with drums that can hold seven rounds. The drum, with its hollow axis in the front of the revolver, is inserted into a frame, on which it is fixed with a special ramrod tube. It is attached to the barrel neck in front of the drum.

In revolvers, in which the drum is pushed onto the barrel, a special return mechanism is used. The right side of the Nagant pistol (a photo of the weapon is presented in the article) has become a place for placing a locking device - a special spring-loaded door. In order to charge the weapon, the shooter just needs to open (swing aside) the door. The unloading of the Nagant pistol is carried out in the same way. Disassembly of weapons begins precisely with opening the door and removing the drum. Ammunition is located in special slots. When the door is folded back, cartridges are inserted into them. To prevent ammunition from falling out of the weapon, the door should be returned to the closed position. In addition, the door prevents the drum from turning counterclockwise.

USM device

Revolvers "Nagant" are equipped with hammer, designed for double action, firing mechanisms. The pistols contain strikers, which are hingedly mounted on the triggers. The handle has become a place for the location of the two-blade lamellar mainspring. There are no fuses for revolvers. During the first tests of the weapon, the designers noticed leaks of powder gases in the place of the breech cut and the front end of the drum. It was possible to correct this drawback by using a trigger mechanism that pushed the drum forward each time before firing. Thus, during the cocking of the hammer, the drum is displaced forward by actuating a specific locking mechanism. Further, due to the trigger, the drum is locked, and its rotation is stopped.

Sample for the Russian army

In 1879, the Naval Ministry of Tsarist Russia purchased a small batch of Nagant pistols from a Belgian manufacturer. The technical characteristics and design features of these revolvers have been improved in comparison with the previous models of 1877. The new weapon purchased by Russia (one thousand units) was intended for firing 7.5 mm ammunition. The cartridges were equipped with jacketed bullets and used smokeless powder. For revolvers of the "Nagant" system, cartridges from brass cases were specially created. Gunsmiths noted that the use of such cartridges provides high ballistic performance. In addition, the bullet fired had a decent initial velocity. Front sight and rear sight were used as sights.

Belgian weapons in tsarist Russia

The end of the nineteenth century in the Russian Empire was the period when a massive rearmament of the army was carried out. Modernization has not spared personal firearms for soldiers and officers. A specially created commission, engaged in the selection of the most promising models from a large assortment of army revolvers, formulated the requirements for weapons. The best samples were considered on a competitive basis. Only a model that possessed the following qualities could become a winner:

  • Great stopping effect.
  • High combat strength. The bullet fired from the revolver was supposed to pierce five-inch pine planks.
  • Ease. The optimum weight should not exceed 0.92 kg.
  • Barrel rifling, in terms of number, caliber and direction, should have been identical to the rifling in Mosin's three-line rifles. This requirement is explained by the fact that in the event of breakdowns of the rifle, its barrel could later be used in the manufacture of a revolver.
  • Pistols should not be equipped with self-cocking devices, as, in the opinion of gunsmiths, this negatively affects accuracy.
  • The muzzle velocity of the bullet is not less than 300 m / s.
  • Uncomplicated design.
  • High accuracy of the battle.
  • Reliability and ease of use. The revolver must be immune to extreme conditions.
  • Alternate extraction of the shot casings. Both self-cocking and simultaneous extraction, according to gunsmiths, entails a complication of the revolver design and excessive ammunition consumption. Consequently, the production of pistols will be more labor intensive and require large financial investments. The price of the finished product for the consumer will also rise.
  • The presence of sighting devices designed for shooting at a distance of at least 35 meters.
  • Using cartridges with smokeless powder and jacketed bullets in flanged brass sleeves.

Competition

The main competitor for the Nagant revolvers produced in 1895 (М1892) were similar weapons of the Belgian gunsmith Henri Pieper - М1889 "Bayard". Adhering to the conditions of the competition, Leon Nagant reduced the caliber of the M1892 from 9 mm to 7.62 mm. In addition, in the design of the revolver, he excluded the possibility of self-cocking firing. He also made two versions of drums, designed for six and seven rounds. The jury was presented with two samples of Nagant pistols. The characteristics of Henri Pieper's revolvers were inferior to those of the M1892: the Bayard revolver was heavier and had an unreliable design. As a result, he was rejected. And the Nagant pistol was adopted by the tsarist army of Russia after minor design improvements.

Specifications М1892

The revolver, designed in 1892, did not begin production until 1895. The model has the following parameters:

  • The revolver is equipped with an automatic platoon drum for 7 rounds.
  • The weapon has an initial speed of 272 m / s.
  • The revolver is intended for shooting at a distance of up to 700 meters.
  • The force of the battle is 210 J.
  • Caliber 7.62 x 32 mm
  • Rate of fire - the drum (seven rounds) is released within 20 seconds.
  • The weapon weighs 0.75 kg with an empty drum. With ammunition - 0.83 kg.
  • The dimensions of the revolver are 234 x 114 mm.
  • The revolver provides targeted shooting at a distance of up to 50 meters.

The article presents a photo of the Nagant M1892 pistol.

What do the Nagant models have in common?

In all versions of the pistols of the Nagant brothers, the following characteristic design features can be distinguished:

  • Each revolver modification is equipped with a double-action trigger mechanism. This allows the shooter to use the weapon, having previously cocked the hammer, as well as self-cocking. The exception was pre-revolutionary models, in which, in order to reduce the consumption of cartridges, self-cocking mechanisms were blocked.
  • The revolvers are based on a monolithic one-piece frame.
  • The drum is opened due to the door swung to the side. However, in the revolver of 1910, this door did not open to the side, but back.
  • Blind fit of the revolving barrel into the frame.
  • All models use a cleaning rod. Before firing, it is hidden in the axis of the drum. During the operation of the weapon, the ramrod is used as an extractor: it pushes out the shot casings.
  • The frames are equipped with flat covers that cover the revolver mechanism.
  • In all models of revolvers of the Nagant system, drums are used as a chamber and magazine.

Glacier 2012: trauma.

Over the decades while the M1892 was in service, it gained very great popularity. This model of the Belgian craftsmen is interesting to many lovers of rare weapons, which was taken into account by modern weapons manufacturers. Since gas models designed for self-defense are in great demand today, the Gletcher NGT Black Nagant air pistol was created on the basis of the combat М1892. This option entered the Russian arms market in 2012. The black Nagant pistol is one of the most popular gas models today. Manufacturers have tried to give the traumatic weapon an external resemblance to a combat analogue. According to consumer reviews, the weight and size parameters of the Nagant air pistol do not differ from the M1892.

Gas model description

For the gas Nagant, the manufacturer used silumin. Wanting to give the weapon the effect of blued steel, the developers chose a black material. In some batches, Nagant air pistols have a silver coating. For the cheeks under the handle of the master, plastic is used, which is a successful imitation of wood. The Nagant traumatic pistol is equipped with a CO2 reservoir, which is a source of energy. Due to the firing mechanism, firing from a gas sample is possible in two ways:

  • after the pre-cocked trigger, which the shooter performs manually;
  • self-cocking.

Operating principle

Unlike its military counterpart, the gas "Nagant" does not provide for the drum sliding along the barrel during firing. The drum in "Glacier" does not rotate, but remains in a motionless position. This completely eliminates gas leakage and increases sealing. As in the real Nagan, in the traumatic version it is also possible to remove the drum from the frame. The body of the Glacier is equipped with a manual safety device that is used to lock the hammer and trigger. Shoots weapons with copper-coated steel shot (BB). Before starting operation, the bullet is mounted in a false cartridge - a special device made of two rubber inserts designed to prevent gas leakage.

NGT products fire original ammunition that will not fit other similar models. In order to charge the revolver, the shooter must insert the cartridges into the drum one at a time, while rotating it clockwise. If the bullet is inserted correctly, a characteristic click should be heard. The drums in Glaciers are not folding. The inside of the pistol grip is used for the gas cartridge. Outside, it is closed with plastic overlays.

Specifications

The traumatic revolver "Nagan" has the following characteristics:

  • The weight of the weapon is 700 g.
  • The pistol is designed for firing 4.5 mm bullets.
  • The force of the battle is 3 J.
  • The released bullet is capable of developing a maximum muzzle velocity of up to 120 m / s. However, judging by the numerous reviews of the owners, after 60 shots the muzzle velocity drops to 90 m / s.
  • CO2 gas is used as a filling material for the cylinder.
  • The revolver is used for shooting at a distance of up to 230 meters.

As evidenced by the reviews of the owners of these traumatic "Nagans", one canister is enough to fire 100-105 shots. In this parameter, other pneumatic pistols are inferior to "Glacier". In addition, to lower the self-cocking system in the traumatic "Nagan", unlike its combat counterpart, less effort is required - only 3 kg, which increases the accuracy of shooting and comfort in operation.

Army modifications

On the basis of the revolver of the "Nagant" system, the following special combat variants have been developed for military personnel:

  1. "Soldier"... The design of the revolver uses a non-self-cocking firing mechanism.
  2. "Officer"... This "Nagan" has a trigger mechanism.
  3. "Commander"... This model is a compact version of the revolver: the barrel length is reduced to 85 mm, the handle is shortened. Designed in 1927. Serial production in small batches was carried out specifically for the OGPU and the NKVD (25 thousand units). Discontinued in 1932. The model was intended for hidden wearing.
  4. Revolver "Nagant" using the "BraMit" silent-flame firing device. This device, which acts as a muffler, was developed by the Mitin brothers in 1929. The disadvantage of pistols equipped with such devices was that when firing, the muffler took up part of the energy, as a result of which the shutter could not go through the entire cycle, which led to distortions of the cartridges. When firing from a revolver with a silencer, these disadvantages were not observed. Silent firing attachments have been designed to fit perfectly with revolving barrels. They do not need to be redone or adapted. Special brackets were used to fix BraMit devices. Revolvers equipped with these devices were used by the reconnaissance and sabotage units of the Red Army.

5. "Nagant" WZ.30.- a revolver made in Poland in 1895. Serial production was carried out during 1930-1939. in the city of Radom. About 20 thousand units were manufactured.

Civilian models

For fans of firearms, the following options for revolvers of the "Nagant" system are presented:

  1. MMG. The revolver is a collectible and stage souvenir model. It can also be used as a museum piece. Outwardly, the revolvers do not differ from the combat ones, however, on the drums of the MMG revolvers there are inscriptions: "uch." This means that the pistol can be used for training purposes.
  2. Carbine KR-22 "Falcon". This revolver of the "Nagant" system is a special conversion model. The barrel length is 50 cm. The design has an integral wooden stock and a wooden forend. The revolver weighs 2 kg. Serial production started in 2010.
  3. "Thunder". The revolver is a conversion model. Used for sports and training purposes. The pistol is intended for firing 4 mm caliber Flaubert cartridges.
  4. "Nagan-S" VPO-503. This signal pattern is also called "Bluff". The "Nagant" signal pistol was developed in 2006. Produced at the Vyatsko-Polyansky Molot plant. The storage of combat revolvers in special warehouses and their further alteration is also carried out there. Due to its peculiar design (the presence of a bored barrel and a plug in the breech), it is impossible to convert the "Nagan-S" signal pistol into a military weapon. Externally, the signal model is identical to its combat counterpart. Starting pistols "Nagan" are disassembled and serviced in the same way as real ones. The frames of revolvers are characterized by the presence of serial numbers and control terminals. The workers of the Izhevsk Arms Plant began to produce pistols of the Nagant system. The following design changes have been made to the device:
  • changed the shape of the plug in the breech;
  • reduced the diameter of the bore of the trunks;
  • removed the serial numbers and control terminals from the frames and drums of revolvers;
  • stopped milling the frames of the breeches of the barrel;
  • chambers in drums do not contain pressed bushings chambered for “Zhevelo” cartridge. For installation, a special thread is used;

  • the revolver is completed with a wiper and a double-sided screwdriver.

5. MP-313. In 2008, the serial production of revolvers was discontinued at the Molot plant.

6.P-2. The revolver of the "Nagant" system is an improved model of the "Bluff" and MP-313. The pistol is produced at the machine-building plant in Izhevsk. The design of this sports model is characterized by:

  • The presence of a special pin, which is used as a plug. It is inserted into the revolving barrel from the right side through the frame. The place where the pin was inserted was carefully welded and sanded by the factory workers. This makes the starter model very authentic. In addition, the developers decided to keep the rifling in the barrel.
  • The drilled drums are equipped with standard inserts for the Zhevelo chuck.

Conclusion

The attitude to revolvers of the "Nagant" system in Russia, as well as in other CIS countries, is ambiguous. Since this weapon was mainly used by employees of the repressive authorities until the 1950s, its name evokes negative associations among some users.