Voltigeur_de_la_Garde
32 Cal
In 1856, after the disastrous Crimean War, Russian high command realized that rifled firearms were the future and so they set upon designing a Rifled Musket inspired by the Enfield and Miniè Rifles that they
had faced in the Crimea. The finished product shows this influence. It fired a Miniè-style projectile in .60 Caliber. The rear sight was graded to 1200 arshin (933 yards).
Initially however it was decided to rearm only specialized skirmishing units with the new rifle, hence it’s designation. Only two years later, in 1858, someone had the foresight to order the entire Infantry to be rearmed with the new Rifle. The standard infantry version’s sights were graded only to 600 arshin. My example is of the earlier Marksman’s type but sadly is missing the rear sight-leaf. It was built in Tula in 1862. These are quite rare today since most were converted to breechloaders using the "Krnka"-system.
had faced in the Crimea. The finished product shows this influence. It fired a Miniè-style projectile in .60 Caliber. The rear sight was graded to 1200 arshin (933 yards).
Initially however it was decided to rearm only specialized skirmishing units with the new rifle, hence it’s designation. Only two years later, in 1858, someone had the foresight to order the entire Infantry to be rearmed with the new Rifle. The standard infantry version’s sights were graded only to 600 arshin. My example is of the earlier Marksman’s type but sadly is missing the rear sight-leaf. It was built in Tula in 1862. These are quite rare today since most were converted to breechloaders using the "Krnka"-system.
