"Cannon Fodder"

1938 Mosin-Nagant 91/30 (Soviet Union) 7.62x54mmR

1941 Nagant Model 1895 (Soviet Union) 7.62x38mmR

In many ways, the Mosin-Nagant is the epitome of the infantry fighting rifle: rugged, simple, reliable, and deadly. With over 37 million examples produced since its inception in 1891, it's hard to name a 20th century conflict that didn't involve the Mosin-Nagant in some capacity. Despite being markedly outclassed and obsolete since the mid 1920's, necessity and abundance alone continually postpones this weapon's retirement as it continues to see front line combat a stunning 130+ years after its introduction.

No matter how advanced modern weaponry becomes, this rifle always meets the bare minimum requirement: the ability to launch a heavy 7.62 caliber round through an enemy combatant at extreme range. From the jungles of Vietnam in the 1960's to the Qalats of Afghanistan in the 2010's, this archaic rifle continues to be a deadly nuisance for modern armies wherever wars are fought. A total anachronism in the 21st century, this rifle somehow fights alongside the very weapons meant to replace and relegate it to museum status.

Generations of conscripted cannon-fodder have had this rifle shoved into their trembling hands with minimal training, being one of the simplest weapons to operate second only to a sharp stick. The Mosin-Nagant's sales pitch remains the same over a century later: a disposable rifle for disposable fighters.

While definitely not my choice for any armed conflict, its kill-count dwarfs those of modern infantry rifles, and commands a haunting reverence based solely on the number of graves its filled over a century of conflict, with its macabre tally increasing slowly with each passing day.