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Last Year of Berkut
(Posledniy god Berkuta)

Original Theatrical Poster

Country	USSR
Directed by	Vadim Lysenko
Release Date	1978
Language	Russian
Studio	Sverdlovsk Film Studio

Main Cast
Character	Actor
Fyodor Polyntsev	Oleg Korchikov
Pichon Pochkayev	Nurzhuman Ikhtymbaev
Alarchon	Tsyden Badmayev
Sagday	Aleksei Arashtayev
Khoortay	Kauken Kenzhetayev
Zharkov	Vladimir Tatosov
Poruchik (Lt.) Kharbinka	Georgiy Drozd
Khapyn-bay	German Sarazhakov

Last Year of Berkut (a direct translation of original title Posledniy god Berkuta) is a 1978 (filmed 1977) historical adventure movie directed by Vadim Lysenko and based on the novel by Nikolay Domozhakov. The story is set in last years of Russian Civil war, in Khakassia (region in southern Siberia). A former Red partisan Fyodor Polyntsev (Oleg Korchikov) withstands against a gang of local bandits and former White Army men under the command of mysterious "Berkut" (Golden Eagle).

The following weapons were used in the film Last Year of Berkut (Posledniy god Berkuta):

WARNING! THIS PAGE CONTAINS SPOILERS!

Revolvers

Nagant M1895

Nagant M1895 revolvers are used by the chairman of village counsil Pichon Pochkayev (Nurzhuman Ikhtymbaev) who turns out to be gang leader Berkut, the head of local Militsiya Zharkov (Vladimir Tatosov) and bandit Serge (Ivan Salaydinov).

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

Pichon Pochkayev holds a Nagant. Note the angular post-1930 front sight. Polyntsev's M38 Carbine and ammo are seen on the table.

Another view of the same scene.

Pochkayev holds his revolver.

Zharkov carries a Nagant in holster. This is a universal holster for Nagant revolver and TT-33 pistol, issued in Red Army in mid-1930s.

Serge draws his Nagant from holster (same model as Zharkov's holster, and possibly reused same prop).

Serge fires at Sagday's father, village storyteller Khoortay.

Pochkayev holds a Nagant when he retreats from the village.

He is disarmed and drops the revolver.

A ChON fighter carries a Nagant in holster.

Pochkayev holds his Nagant in the final scene.

Pistols

Mauser C96

Mauser C96 pistols are used by White Army Poruchik Kharbinka (Georgiy Drozd), Berkut's accomplice shaman Alarchon (Tsyden Badmayev) and several ChON (special purpose unit) fighters, notably Epse (Samson Artonov). A single prop is reused; upon close inspection of the barrel the pistol appears to be deactivated, it isn't seen firing on screen.

Pre-War dated Mauser C96 "Broomhandle" Commercial Version - 7.63x25mm Mauser

Epse runs with a Mauser in hand.

Epse with a Mauser, Pochkayev with a Nagant and Polyntsev with M38 Carbine.

Kharbinka carries a Mauser in holster.

Epse aims his Mauser.

Another view of the same scene.

A ChON fighter fires at escaping Alarchon.

Kharbinka aims at attacking ChON fighters.

Another view of Kharbinka's Mauser.

Alarchon aims his Mauser.

Another view of Alarchon's Mauser.

Rifles

Mosin Nagant M1938 Carbine

Out of time Mosin Nagant M1938 Carbines are most widely used rifles in the movie. Fyodor Polyntsev (Oleg Korchikov) owns a carbine that is an award weapon. In several scenes Polyntsev's carbine falls in hands of other characters - Pichon Pochkayev (Nurzhuman Ikhtymbaev), Serge (Ivan Salaydinov) and local herdsman Sagday (Aleksei Arashtayev). Some bandits and members of village self-defense unit also use M38 Carbines.

Note: see additional images on talk page.

Mosin Nagant M1938 Carbine - 7.62x54mm R

Polynstev holds his carbine, guarding his family during the travel.

Serge (in blue shirt) holds an "obrez" and Polyntsev's carbine.

Pochkayev examines Polyntsev's carbine.

Sagday with Polyntsev's carbine.

A bandit holds a carbine.

Strangely, in one scene Polyntsev's carbine lacks front sight.

Fighters of village self-defence unit with carbines.

Polyntsev single-hand fires at Kharbinka. The front sight of the carbine is again on place.

Surrendered bandits' rifles, M91/30s, M38 Carbines and "obrez".

Mosin Nagant M1891

Red Army soldiers and bandits widely use Mosin Nagant M1891 Infantry and Dragoon rifles.

Imperial Russian Mosin Nagant M1891 Infantry Rifle in original configuration - 7.62x54mm R

Imperial Russian Mosin Nagant M1891 Dragoon - 7.62x54mm R

A Red Army soldier at the background holds an M91 Ifantry of early model (note the open-top handguard).

Kharbinka (Georgiy Drozd) fires an M91 Infantry rifle in the window in attempt to kill Fyodor Polyntsev.

M91 (with dark, battered stocks) and M91/30 rifles, found in Pochkayev's house after his escape.

Polyntsev examines an M91 Infantry rifle, found in Pochkayev's house.

He passes the rifle in hands of Sabis.

A good view of the buttstock of same rifle.

Bandits' rifles: M91 Infantry at the right and M91 Dragoon at the left (note the front sight that allows to differ this rifle from M91/30).

Surrendered bandits' weapons: M91 Dragoon rifles, M38 Carbines and "obrez" (at the left).

An M91 Infantry rifle is seen (top right) among the surrendered bandits' weapons.

Mosin Nagant M1891/30

Mosin Nagant M1891/30 rifles, standing for M91 Dragoon, are also used.

Mosin Nagant M1891/30 - 7.62x54mm R

Red Army soldiers with M91/30 rifles in escort.

M91 (with dark, battered stocks) and M91/30 rifles, found in Pochkayev's house after his escape.

Mosin Nagant "Obrez"

Several bandits, notably Serge (Ivan Salaydinov) and Tayon (Yuriy Topoyev), carry Mosin Nagant "obrez" sawed-off rifles. In one scene an "obrez" is used by Poruchik Kharbinka (Georgiy Drozd). At least two different "obrez" are used in the movie.

Note: see additional images on talk page.

Sawn-off Mosin Nagant M1891/30 - 7.62x54mm R. In Russian such weapon is called "obrez" which means "cut".

Serge fires his "obrez".

Serge (at the right) threatens Sagday.

A close view of Serge's "obrez".

In another scene Serge has a different example of "obrez".

Kharbinka holds an "obrez" during the encounter with Pochkayev.

Tayon with "obrez".

A bandit fires his "obrez".

Shotguns

Mosin Nagant/Frolov Shotgun

A "Frolovka" bolt action shotgun is seen in the house of village richman Khapyn-bay (German Sarazhakov). Sagday's son Sabis (Nikolai Tacheyev) holds same looking gun during the operation against the gang.