Mosin-Nagant in Service with the DDR

[Ian Richardson]

Genosse Ian here, looking for some early photos of NVA or Volkspoliezei using the Mosin-Nagant rifle. I know that it was distributed by the Russians as surplus, and a quick way to arm the Germans in the early days of the DDR, but phased out eventually toward the mid-late 50's. I'm looking at trying to buy one (indicated by special reciever markings) if I can locate one.

Also, some questions regarding this rifle's time in the DDR. Were ammo pouches, cleaning kits, or accesories ever produced in the DDR for said rifle, or was eveything produced by Moscow?

Anyway, I'd like to see if any one has pix of them in action/use with the DDR, or if anyone on the forum owns one themself, I'd love to see that as well. i have found no previous threads/posts with info on this weapon in service with NVA troops. I'm fascinated by how one weapon can be used, reused, stored, and eventually end up at my doorstep 50 years later. I love these rifles, and I own several already, and would like to find the ultimate cooperation between my love of them in service to mother Russia, and East german militaria. The best of both worlds! Thanks.

-Ian

[iannima]

I am not an expert, but I think that in the DDR mainly the carabine version of the Mosin Nagant was used, with the folding bayonet, known in German as Karabiner 44. There are several photographs of that in usage by the KVP and the early NVA. Are you instead looking for photographs of the full length Mosin Nagant?

[Kozlov]

The main weapons you see from the early days of the KVP seem to be the Stg44, the K98 and the PPSh-41... I don't think I've ever seen a MN in use.... As the KVP/NVA shed them, the Kampfgruppen aquired them.

[Roy Queen]

M44 Mosin Nagants

I have seen a photo of an East German honor guard using the M44 Mosin Nagant carbine, and have seen a few with the East German proofstamp of a 1 enclosed within a triangle. I believe the M91/30 may have also been used.

You may wish to visit www.gunboards.com, do a search, and you should find all you want to know on Mosin Nagants in East German service.

[panzerwerk]

I have several pics of early NVA with Mosin Nagant M44's with the side folding bayonets ,the soldiers are wearing early Amoebatarn suits , the pics came from a board member here and I do not have permission to repost them , but if you search under Amoebatarn or Amoeba , they should come up if they are still hosted by the owner .

Here is one of the threads that have pics :
http://70.87.163.50/forums/showthrea...Amoeba&page=15

[Klaus1989]

I found this photo of late 1950s NVA soldiers and saved it on my computer several years ago. I think it is scan from a book. Everyone except man with MPi41 in foreground uses K44.



A couple links on the topic. Apparently both M91/30 and M44 were used, because there is example of DDR stamped M91/30 in article. No idea what KVP/NVA designation was for it though. Another article on same site mentions Grenzpolizei defectors with Czech M91/38.
http://mosinnagant.net/global%20mosi...44-Carbine.asp

The last ammo pouch is East German. Identical to WWII Soviet leather pouches. Because it is brown leather and dated 1960, possibly KdA? I thought they were normally black for NVA.
http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinAcc.htm

regards
Klaus

[Kozlov]

Still not seen any photographic evidence of anything but the 44 carbine...

[Guardian 5]

Gents - Writing in "Die Mot-Schuetzen der NVA", Wilfried Kopenhagen states that the NVA used the Karabiner 38, Karabiner 44, and the Scharfschuetzengewehr (SG) Modell 1891/30.

He further provides a couple of photos in evidence, including the one shown here.

If Kopenhagen is to be believed, it would seem as though the only version of the Moisin-Nagant M1891/30 ("long gun") employed by the NVA was the sniper version shown here.

All the best,
TJ

[Guardian 5]

Here's a photo of my c.1956 NVA infantryman set-up.

Until I went to the sites provide by Roy Queen and Klaus, I thought all of the NVA's M44s were sourced from Poland. Now I know that Mother Russia supplied a few as well.

Virtually everytime I visit this forum I learn something new!

All the best - TJ

[Guardian 5]

Here's a larger overview. My M44 is Polish as delineated by hallmark of an "11" enclosed in an oval.


TJ

[Ian Richardson]

here's the only photographic proof I can find on my computer of use of the M44. I recieved it from genosse RedBaran, and he claims its from the Bundesarchive. Dated mid-50's sometime. though the end of the gun is out of frame, I can tell its an M44, due to the short nature of the location of the forward sling slot.

http://<a href="http://s662.photobuc...tobucket"></a>

thats all I have for M44 in action. I think its the Volkspoliezei, but it could be Kampfgruppen. Dunno for sure.

Also, I've noticed alot of people with the older leather belts in great condition.The leather on mine is faded, cracking, and brown on the reverse side. are your belts all repros fitted for original DDR buckles? or just really nice originals? also, where can I find some DDR leather Y-straps? they seem very ellusive...

-Ian

[iannima]

Also, I've noticed alot of people with the older leather belts in great condition.The leather on mine is faded, cracking, and brown on the reverse side. are your belts all repros fitted for original DDR buckles? or just really nice originals? also, where can I find some DDR leather Y-straps? they seem very ellusive...

-Ian

Some of these belts can still be found in mint or near mint conditions. It is admittedly rarer for the earlier ones with the hook and eye arranged as in the WH and BW. The leather Y straps are VERY elusive... I suspect because at some stage fascist re-enactors used them for their nefarious purposes . But they are very rare to start off with. Sometimes one set appears on German ebay, but the fact that quite often markings have faded or were never there can mean that they are not advertised as DDR at all.

[Kozlov]

If you want the y-straps, try looking at Richard Underwood in the UK... he quite often has DDR leather items, sold as "repro fascist" and its always good to seize the People's equipment out from the grasp of the fascists

Don't ask him though, he won't know! You just have to look at his stock and pick what you want....

[iannima]

Don't ask him though, he won't know!.

Oh more than that! You might get a look that will leave you under no doubt on how despicable he thinks you are... and the price he'll ask!
It has to be something I DESPERATELY want for me to buy from that stall... I admit I have done so in the past , but I wouldn't now...

[Kozlov]

But Genosse, take the looks and just think about the warm glow of Marxist-Leninism as you liberate those oppressed items from under the heal of the fascist boot