Hey TomG, I've got a project for ya.

[surplus-addict]

And I triple dog dare you to do it

This, is Alexei Nikolevich's miniature (1/2 scale) Mosin Nagant M91 rifle, given to him by his father Tsar the 2nd. A pair of these rifles with loads of scaled down ammunition was given to him by his father so he could hunt with him and "play soldier", as was all the rage back in those days with royalty.


(more photos here: http://library.khai.edu/pages/oruzhie/pe...ednee.html)

It was chambered in 3.81x27R, a scaled down version of the 7.62x54R. 22 Hornet is very close (ish).



Here is a photo of Alexei with his rifle:



Do you think you make another rifle just like it?

You've proven that you're a gunsmithing GOD, and can do this if you want to. You have the skill and the tools to do this, and not only would it be amazing to have in your collection, it would also make a darn good varmint rifle.

Are you up to making something that's never been made outside of the Tula Arsenal? If you do, I will call you "TomG: Gunsmith of Sun Tzu" for the rest of my life

[TomG]

Lol. That looks like an interesting challenge but after recently purchasing a Mosin Nagant I really don't understand the allure, other than they are cheap to buy and shoot. If I were to build a half scale model of a bolt action, it would have to be an M1903 Springfield. It's a much better rifle than the Mosin Nagant and it's one of ours. Maybe I'm just spoiled from shooting my vintage U.S. WWII firearms.

Tom

[surplus-addict]

Then make a 1/2 scale M1903! I'd love to see some more of your builds, and especially a mini M1903.
The reason I suggested the Mosin is: 1, it's already been made it before, so we KNOW that it'd be possible. 2, it'd be a blast from the past, and you could brag about having "The third miniature Mosin Nagant in the world". 3, it would be easier to make, simply from the amount if parts in the firearm. There are just not a bunch of parts.

[TomG]

I'll add it to my project list, but I gotta tell ya: It's a BIG list!

Tom

[surplus-addict]

(07-29-2012, 10:33 PM)TomG Wrote: I'll add it to my project list, but I gotta tell ya: It's a BIG list!

Tom

Ain't it always Those really are the best of lists: The full ones

[Highpower]

Too late.....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Miniature-1903-S...0319897951

[TomG]

(07-30-2012, 06:03 AM)Highpower Wrote: Too late.....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Miniature-1903-S...0319897951

Whew. Guess I can check that one off.

Tom

[toolingjim]

Tom, if you are serious about the 1903 Springfield project, there is a book out there with complete blueprints of the Springfield and its tooling. It was put together during WWI in case they needed to ramp up production. You can find it at
http://archive.org/details/cu31924012809897
I'm always looking for blueprint sets for firearms. It seems that few of them have survived or ever been made publicly available. It seems the only ones commonly available are for automatic weapons, a fun subject, but not one you're going to be making in this day and age.

[TomG]

(09-03-2012, 08:18 PM)toolingjim Wrote: Tom, if you are serious about the 1903 Springfield project, there is a book out there with complete blueprints of the Springfield and its tooling. It was put together during WWI in case they needed to ramp up production. You can find it at
http://archive.org/details/cu31924012809897
I'm always looking for blueprint sets for firearms. It seems that few of them have survived or ever been made publicly available. It seems the only ones commonly available are for automatic weapons, a fun subject, but not one you're going to be making in this day and age.

Thanks for posting that Jim it looks very interesting. Definitely one to copy and file away.

I also collect drawing and blueprints of interesting firearms. Future projects include the Winchester 1885 single shot an M1 Garand (I just ordered a receiver casting) and a 1911. What I would really like to build is a Colt 1873 Peacemaker, but drawing are non-existent and I can't afford a real one to reverse engineer. Maybe some day...

Tom

[Highpower]

Yes, thank you for posting that Jim. That is a much clearer rendering than the copy that I have. (Univ of Calif)