Demon of the Revolution (Demon revolyutsii)

Demon of the Revolution (Demon revolyutsii) Poster Country Russia Language Russian German Creator Vladimir Khotinenko Broadcast 2017 No. of Seasons 1 No. of Episodes 6 Main Cast Character Actor Vladimir Ilyich Lenin Evgeniy Mironov Alexander (Aleksandr Lvovich) Parvus Fyodor Bondarchuk Inessa Armand Viktoriya Isakova Nadezhda Krupskaya Darya Ekamasova Rotmistr (Capt.) Aleksey Nikolaevich Mezentsev Maksim Matveev Sofiya Rudneva Paulina Andreeva Col. Vasiliy Georgievich Turkestanov Aleksandr Baluev Jakub Stanislavovich Ganetsky Dmitriy Lysenkov

Demon of the Revolution (Demon revolyutsii) is a 2017 Russian historical TV series. The plot is set in 1915-1917 and depicts the activities of the Russian revolutionary Alexander Parvus (Fyodor Bondarchuk). In the series, Parvus is depicted as the intermediary between the German General Staff and the Russian Bolsheviks and the organiser of Vladimir Lenin's travel back to Russia from Switzerland through Germany in April 1917 (this issue is highly controversial, and a lot of different opinions exist).

Except for the 6-part TV series, released in 2017, the 8-part Director's cut also exists; it was released in 2018 under the title Memorandum Parvusa (Parvus' Memorandum). A two-part theatrical release under the title Lenin. Neizbezhnost (Lenin. Inevitability' English release title The Lenin Factor) was released in 2019. The current page is based on the 6-part release.

The following weapons were used in the television series Demon of the Revolution (Demon revolyutsii):

Revolvers

Nagant M1895

Nagant M1895 revolvers are used by Russian revolutionaries Leonid Borisovich Krasin (Dmitriy Ulyanov), Jakub Stanislavovich Ganetsky (Dmitriy Lysenkov) and Khromov (Sergei Legostaev), Parvus' bodyguard Grisha (Sergey Gromov), officers of Russian counterintelligence service Rotmistr (Capt.) Aleksey Nikolaevich Mezentsev (Maksim Matveev), Col. Vasiliy Georgievich Turkestanov (Aleksandr Baluev), and some Russian officers and NCOs. Nagants are also used by Danish police; in this case Nagants are used as a replacement for Danish M1880/85 revolvers.

Both pre- and post-1930 revolvers are seen. Sometimes these models switch to each other due to numerous continuity errors.

Nagant M1895 Revolver - 7.62x38R Nagant. Note the angular front sight which was used from 1930s.

Russian Nagant 1895, produced 1920s. The rounded front sight is a sign of revolvers produced from 1890s until 1930 - 7.62x38R Nagant

Nagants, prepared for smuggling from Denmark to Russia. These are post-1930 revolvers with brown bakelite grips. A Soviet star mark is seen on the frame of the revolver at the left. The revolver at the right has deactivating pins in the cylinder.

Ganetsky examines one of these revolvers.

A plainclothes detective of the Danish police fires a Nagant during the shootout with smugglers who are also armed with Nagants. This is a post-1930 version; in the following moment the Nagant switches to a pre-1930 version.

A uniformed Danish police officer fires a pre-1930 version Nagant. His revolver then switches to a post-1930 version.

Said police detective with pre-1930 Nagant.

Said police officer with post-1930 Nagant.

Grisha fires at two hitmen, making at attempt on Parvus.

Rotmistr Mezentsev holds a pre-1930 Nagant during the operation against weapon smugglers on the Finnish coast (at that time the Grand Duchy of Finland was a part of the Russian Empire). The revolver has Royal Blue finish, common to original TOZ production.

The head of the Counterintellegence Department of the General Staff Col. Turkestanov holds a Nagant in the same scene.

Mezentsev fires at a smuggler. The Nagant holster on his belt is seen.

Krasin loads a Nagant with a single cartridge. This is a post-1930 version that switches to a pre-1930 revolver in the next moment.

Krasin holds a Nagant, now a pre-1930 version.

Khromov readies his Nagant.

Mezentsev holds a Nagant when he interrogates Mechislav Kozlovskiy (Aleksey Kolgan).

Harrington & Richardson Model 733

Parvus' emissary Sofiya Rudneva (Paulina Andreeva) carries an anachronistic Harrington & Richardson Model 733 which can be standing in for a Bulldog revolver. The nickel finish allows to identify the revolver as Model 733, contrary to a Model 732 which is the same gun except for the blued finish. This particular H&R revolver can be seen in several Russian movies and TV series of 2010s, filmed at Mosfilm.

Harrington & Richardson Model 733 with 2.5 inch barrel - .32 S&W. Satin nickel finish differs Model 733 of blued Model 732.

Sofiya Rudneva holds her revolver when she becomes an accidental witness to the murder of advocate Lunts.

Another view of the revolver.

Rotmistr Aleksey Mezentsev (Maksim Matveev) examines Rudneva's revolver.

The grip is seen.

Sofiya Rudneva (Paulina Andreeva) holds the H&R Model 733 revolver on the promotional image.

Unidentified revolver

A revolver is partially seen in the pocket of a Russian emigrant and agent of Russian secret police Ilya Tatarskiy (Evgeniy Konstantinov).

The revolver in Tatarskiy's pocket. Only the hammer and the back of the cylinder can be seen.

Pistols

Luger P08

One of the Danish smugglers uses a Luger P08 during the shootout with police. A Luger is also used by one of the duo of hitmen, making the attempt on Parvus.

Luger P08 - 9x19mm

A smuggler fires at police. The deactivation jumper can be seen in the muzzle.

The Luger in hand of killed smuggler. The pistol has black grips.

The duo of hitmen (both uncredited) with Luger P08 and Steyr M1912 pistols. The Luger has wooden grips.

The Luger is seen firing and cycling.

Steyr M1912

The second hitman is armed with a Steyr M1912.

Steyr-Hahn M1912 (1913 mfg) - 9x23mm Steyr

The Steyr is seen firing and cycling.

FN Model 1922

Jakub Ganetsky (Dmitriy Lysenkov) holds an anachronistic FN Model 1922 pistol when he threatens the German ambassador in Denmark.

FN Model 1922 - .32 ACP

Ganetsky holds the FN Model 1922 pistol.

FN Model 1906

An unnamed Russian monarchist young woman (Elizaveta Arzamasova) makes an attempt on Parvus, using an FN Model 1906 pocket pistol.

FN Model 1906 - .25 ACP

The would-be assassin puts the gun to Parvus' chest.

Parvus (Fyodor Bondarchuk) directs the pistol to his own head...

...but no gunshot follows.

Parvus takes the pistol and explains the the woman that she did not press the safety hard enough.

Rifles

Mosin Nagant M1891/30

Russian soldiers are armed with Mosin Nagant M1891/30 rifles, used as a substitution for original M1891s.

Soviet Mosin Nagant M1891/30 - 7.62x54mm R

Soldiers attack the secret arsenal of the Bolshevik's combat organisation.

A close-up of the rifle.

Another view of the scene.

Revolutionary soldiers escort the arrested Mezentsev to prison during the February Revolution.

Karabiner 98k

What appears to be an anachronistic Karabiner 98k is seen on the wall in advocate Lunts's apartments.

Karabiner 98k - 7.92x57mm Mauser. Manufactured in Germany, 1937.

Mauser 98-style Short Rifles

In the scene at the Swiss-German border, two of the German soldiers hold Mauser 98-style short rifles with bayonets.

A fat soldier holds a typical post-1898 Mauser short rifle. The rifle sling is attached below the stock so this gun isn't a 98k but rather some non-German (maybe Czech) Mauser of the Interbellum era. Note that the bayonet looks to be attached incorrectly. A similar looking rifle is seen in hands of the fourth from the right soldier.

Gewehr 1888

In the above, scene one or two German soldiers hold Gewehr 1888 rifles.

Gewehr 1888 in original configuration - 7.9x57mmI Patronen-88.

The soldier at the right holds a Gewehr 88 rifle with a sword bayonet. What seems to be a similar gun is seen in hands of the fifth from the right soldier.

Unidentified rifle

In the same, scene one German soldier holds an unidentified rifle, possibly some pre-98 Mauser.

The soldier to the left of the fat soldier holds a rifle with straight grip handle that may be some model of pre-1898 Mauser rifle.

Mockup rifle

A Swedish border guard carries a mockup rifle. The reason of using of such a crude mockup during close-ups is unclear.

Footage

Nagant M1895

A Nagant M1895 is seen in the documentary footage of the February Revolution of 1917.

Russian Nagant 1895, produced 1920s. The rounded front sight is a sign of revolvers produced from 1890s until 1930 - 7.62x38R Nagant

A revolutionary soldier in center holds a Nagant.

FN Model 1903

An FN Model 1903 is seen in the documentary footage of the February Revolution of 1917.

FN Browning Model 1903 - 9x20mm Browning Long

A revolutionary soldier at the left holds an FN Model 1903 pistol.

Mauser Gewehr 1898

Mauser Gewehr 1898 rifles are seen in hands of German soldiers in the documentary footage of WWI.

Mauser Gewehr 1898 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

German soldiers stand in formation with Gewehr 98 rifles when Gen. von Hindenburg goes along the line. NCOs in the formation carry Luger P08 pistols in holsters.

Mosin Nagant M1891

Russian soldiers during WWI and the February Revolution of 1917 carry Mosin Nagant M1891 rifles.

Russian Mosin Nagant M1891 3rd configuration - 7.62x54mm R

Russian soldiers with M91 rifles in attack.

The barrel of a M91 rifle is seen at the left.

Maxim MG08

A German Maxim MG08 is seen in the documentary footage of WWI.

Maxim MG08 on 'sledge' mount - 7.92x57mm Mauser

Maxim M1910

A Russian armored car, armed with a Maxim M1910, is seen in the documentary footage of the February Revolution of 1917.

Maxim M1910 with 'Sokolov' wheel mount, w/o shield - 7.62x54mmR

The barrel of the Maxim is seen in the turret of a Russian armored car of unclear model.

Artillery

Some artillery pieces are seen in the documentary footage of the Great War.

French 320mm Mle 1870/81 naval guns on Mle 1916 railway mountings.

A French heavy field gun is seen at the far right. Judging by the general size and the shape of the carriage, this is most likely 120 or 155mm cannon of the de Bange Mle 1877-1878 system.

Trivia

A Russian war loan poster of the Great War era shows Russian soldiers with a Maxim M1910 machine gun. The gunner carries a bebut dagger.