*Soviet, WW2-Dated 1943, Nagant M1895 Seven-Shot Gas-Seal Revolver by Tula Arsenal, Matching Numbers, with Early Cold War Soviet Issue Holster, Cleaning Rod & Lanyard, Deactivated*
A Soviet Nagant Model 1895 double-action service revolver manufactured at the Tula Arsenal in 1943, retaining matching serial numbers оп904 and accompanied by its correct Soviet issue holster with cleaning rod, lanyard and integral cartridge pouch.
This example is the double-action “Officer’s model” (офицерский наган), as opposed to the single-action “Private’s model” (солдатский наган) produced for other ranks. The revolver remains in its standard military configuration with solid frame, loading gate and under-barrel ejector rod. The action cocks, indexes and dry-fires in both single and double action, with the heavy trigger pull characteristic of the Nagant pattern.
The left side of the frame bears the Tula five-point star enclosing the small hammer (молоток) over the date 1943, identifying wartime production during the period when Tula manufacture resumed following evacuation. The serial number оп904 (Cyrillic prefix) is present on the frame and repeated on the cylinder, with corresponding assembly numbers on smaller components.
Soviet inspection marks include the circular “П” proof and a boxed arsenal refurbishment stamp, indicating the revolver passed pressure testing and later underwent official post-war depot inspection and servicing. The finish is consistent with typical Soviet arsenal maintenance.
The revolver is accompanied by a correct Soviet holster of pebbled kirza construction with leather fittings, retaining its original cartridge pouch, cleaning rod loops and lanyard. Interior ink stamps include “СОРТ ОТК 1” (Grade 1 Technical Control acceptance) together with production markings interpreted as 1950, suggesting early Cold War manufacture.
Approx. Measurements – Barrel length: 11 cm. Overall length: 22.5 cm.
Revolver:
- Tula Arsenal star with small hammer over 1943
- Serial number 0п904 (Cyrillic prefix)
- Matching number on cylinder
- Assembly number 04 on small parts
- Soviet proof and inspection stamps - Circle B, K, & A - Military inspection marks, Circle П - Soviet pressure proof mark and П in a Square - Soviet refurbishment / arsenal control mark
Holster:
-СОРТ ОТК 1 (Grade 1 factory acceptance)
-Square production mark 24 / 50 (interpreted as 1950 batch/date)
- Additional circular factory/depot acceptance stamp
- Strap OTK inspection stamp with inspector number
Historical Note:
The Nagant M1895 revolver, designed by Belgian industrialist Léon Nagant, was adopted by the Imperial Russian Army in 1895 and remained in front-line and secondary Soviet service through the Second World War and into the early Cold War period. A distinctive feature of the design is its unusual gas-seal system, in which the cylinder moves forward when cocked to close the gap between cylinder and barrel. This reduced gas loss, improved velocity, and uniquely allowed the revolver to be effectively used with a suppressor.
Two principal military variants were produced: a single-action “Private’s” model intended for other ranks, and a double-action “Officer’s” model issued to officers and specialist personnel. Despite the introduction of the Tokarev semi-automatic pistol, the Nagant remained widely used during the Second World War due to its simplicity, reliability and ease of maintenance.
Wartime production at Tula is identifiable by the star with small hammer marking used during the 1943–44 period, following the evacuation and re-establishment of the factory during the German advance.
After 1945, large numbers of Nagant revolvers were returned to Soviet arsenals for refurbishment and storage, and were subsequently reissued to internal security forces, railway troops, factory guards (VOKhR) and police units. Holsters dated around 1950, such as the example accompanying this revolver, are typical of this continued early Cold War service life and represent a historically correct and commonly encountered pairing.
