M1867 Russian Krnka

Obr.1867 Krnka
20mm Gana-Krnka rifle conversion in Tula museum.
Type	Side-hinged lifting Breechblock
Place of origin	Russia
Service history
In 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
Production history
Designer	Sylvester Krnka
Designed	1867
Manufacturer	Tula Arsenal
Variants	Infantry, Cavalry
Specifications
Mass	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 of fire	9 rounds per minute
Maximum firing range	1200 arshins (850 m)
Feed system	Single shot

The design of the rifle

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.

Sources

• MilitaryRifles.com: Russian Krnka