Deactivated WW2 Russian M91 Dated 1937 - The Great Purge Era

This 1937 dated Russian Mosin Nagant was manufactured during a very disturbing period in Russian history. From 1936 to 1938 Stalin sought to "silence or remove" any persons or groups both political of military who had criticized or spoken against him. These purges were largely conducted by the NKVD (People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs), who carried out mass torture, imprisonment, deportation and executions. 1937 saw the height of these "purges" with even its own military subject to the same treatment which had a disastrous effect on them. Prior to WW2 Russia was not an Allied country. In 1939 the "Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact" was signed with Hitler's Nazi Germany, a Treaty of Non-Aggression between Russia and Germany.

This rifle was made in 1937 at the Tula arsenal who are estimated to have made around 298,000 that year. A tiny amount when you consider that total production was 37 million!!! The rifle has matching numbers including the bayonet. Included are 5 inert 7.62mm rounds with and a sling. Deactivated with.a working action.