Berdan II Dragoon Rifle
Tula Arms Plant · Rifle · Out Of Production · 1871
Also known as: Berdan II Dragoon, Model 1870 Dragoon, Dragunskaya vintovka Berdana
Overview
The Berdan II Dragoon Rifle was the lighter, shortened cavalry pattern of the Russian single-shot, bolt-action Berdan II M1870, chambered for the bottlenecked 10.75x58mmR Berdan centerfire cartridge. Adopted in 1871 for mounted dragoon troops, it was roughly 5 inches shorter and lighter than the infantry rifle, using the same turn-bolt action with a 45-degree bolt rotation and cock-on-closing striker, but adding a transverse retaining screw to prevent the bolt from being withdrawn on horseback. It carried spring-retained barrel bands and a quadrangular socket bayonet, and was fielded with a reduced-charge cartridge distinguished by pink paper wrapping.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3900 g (137.6 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1232 mm (48.50") |
| Barrel Length | 721 mm (28.39") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Muzzle Velocity | 385 m/s (1263 fps) |
| Effective Range | 284 m (311 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1069 m (1169 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 8 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 10.75x58mmR Berdan · primary — also known as .42 Russian Berdan, 10.75mm Berdan, 4.2 line
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Single Shot Bolt Action
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock
- Features: Turn Bolt Action, 45 Degree Bolt Rotation, Transverse Bolt Retaining Screw, Ramp And Leaf Rear Sight, Spring Retained Barrel Bands, Socket Bayonet Mount, Single Shot
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Imperial Russian Army · adopted 1871
Conflicts
- Russo-Turkish War (1877-1878)
- Russian Civil War (1917-1922)
Production
Production years: 1871-1892
Produced by the Russian arsenals at Tula and Izhevsk; the dragoon pattern was made in far smaller quantities than the infantry rifle - about 2,353 inventoried by 1876.
Origin
Country of origin: Russia
Designer: Hiram Berdan
Discontinued: 1892
Notes
One of four Berdan II patterns (infantry, dragoon, Cossack and carbine). The dragoon rifle was produced in far smaller numbers than the infantry rifle - only about 2,353 were inventoried by 1876. Effective/max range figures derive from sights graduated in arshin (roughly 142-1,069 m).
Background
The dragoon Berdanka gained a transverse bolt-retaining screw for a very practical cavalry reason: without it, a mounted trooper working the action at a canter could ride off having lost his bolt in the dust.