Against the Current (Protiv techeniya)

Against the Current (Protiv techeniya) Original Theatrical Poster Country USSR Directed by Baras Khalzanov Release Date 1981 Language Russian Studio Sverdlovsk Film Studio Main Cast Character Actor Aleksandr Chelnokov Vladimir Zaytsev Sobol Pyotr Velyaminov Seleznyov Boris Khimichev Bochkaryov Lev Prygunov Semenchuk Pyotr Korobov Sonya Svetlana Sukhovey Bulanov Yuriy Sorokin

Against the Current (Protiv techeniya) is a 1981 historical adventure movie directed by Baras Khalzanov and based on several stories by Aleksandr Fadeyev. The story is set on Far East in 1920, during the Russian Civil war. A Red regiment, seized with panic, leaves positions. The Commissar of a regiment Aleksandr Chelnokov (Vladimir Zaytsev) unsuccessfully tries to stop his soldiers. When he comes in the headquarters of the Red front, he receives a task to return the regiment to positions at any cost. Assisted by the crew of river steamer Proletariy (Proletarian), Chelnokov goes after the deserters.

The following weapons were used in the film Against the Current (Protiv techeniya):

Revolvers

Nagant M1895

A Nagant M1895 revolver is a personal sidearm of the Commissar of 22th Amgunskiy Rifle Regiment Aleksandr Chelnokov (Vladimir Zaytsev). Some other Reds and Whites also use Nagants.

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

Chelnokov's revolver on ground.

A perfect view of the revolver. Note the post-1930 front sight.

Chelnokov holds his revolver.

Hopeless Chelnokov raises the revolver to shoot himself.

Chelnokov's revolver in hands of the Commissar of Red front Sobol (Pyotr Velyaminov).

White Cossack Ataman Bochkaryov (Lev Prygunov) carries a Nagant holster.

Bochkaryov holds a Nagant, taken from Chelnokov.

Bulanov (Yuriy Sorokin), the commander of the machine-gun company, holds a Nagant.

Chelnokov and Bulanov fire at White Cossacks.

Chelnokov holds his revolver.

Reichsrevolver M1883

A clerk of the river steamer Proletariy, nicknamed "The Writing Man" (Sergei Balabanov), carries a Reichsrevolver M1883, calling it "a genuine cowboy Colt... but without a hammer". Possibly same prop is seen on several other Sverdlovsk Film Studio 1980s-1990s productions, like Dom na dyunakh, V strelyayushchey glushi and Bolshoe zoloto mistera Grinvuda.

Reichsrevolver M1883 - 10.6x25R

"The Writing Man" carries his revolver in the scene in the wheelhouse of the steamer.

Pistols

Mauser C96

The Commander of 22th Amgunskiy Rifle Regiment Semenchuk (Pyotr Korobov), Commissar Sobol (Pyotr Velyaminov) and several crewmembers of the river steamer Proletariy carry Mauser C96 pistols.

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

Semenchyuk carries a Mauser C96 in holster.

Sobol puts his Mauser in holster.

The chief mate of Proletariy Nazarych (Vitali Titov) carries a Mauser in holster.

Nazarych holds a Mauser.

Nazarych aims his pistol at Semenchuk.

A sailor with Mauser pistol stops a group of soldiers.

Another view of Nazarych's Mauser.

Rifles

Mosin Nagant M1891

Soldiers of 22th Amgunskiy Rifle Regiment are mostly armed with Mosin Nagant M1891 rifles. Both Infantry and Dragoon rifles are seen.

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

Imperial Russian Mosin Nagant M1891 Dragoon - 7.62x54mm R

One of the rioting soldiers holds an M91 Infantry rifle.

A soldier, nicknamed "Bony Malice" (Vladimir Sokolov), an instigator of the riot, carries an M91 Infantry rifle at the right. Later his Infantry rifle switches to a Dragoon.

Rioting soldiers raise their rifle in air. These are mostly M91s.

Rioting soldiers aim their rifles at commander and commissar of the regiment. There is a mix of M91 Infantry and Dragoon rifles, and an M91/30 is seen at the right.

A barrel of M91 Dragoon rifle. The shape of the front sight allows to differ it from M91/30.

Barrels of M91 Infantry (in center) and Dragoon rifles.

"Bony Malice"'s rifle switches from Infantry to Dragoon.

A soldier of Bulanov's company carries an M91 Dragoon rifle.

Mosin Nagant M1891/30

Some soldiers of 22th Amgunskiy Rifle Regiment also use Mosin Nagant M1891/30 rifles, standing for M91 Dragoon rifles.

Mosin Nagant M1891/30 - 7.62x54mm R

During the riot a young soldier at the right holds an M91/30 rilfe. Note the hooded front sight.

A soldier, confronting a sailor with Mauser pistol, holds an M91/30 rifle.

Mosin Nagant M1938 Carbine

Soldiers of 22th Amgunskiy Rifle Regiment and Ataman Bochkaryov's White Cossacks also use out of time Mosin Nagant M1938 Carbines.

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Mosin Nagant M1938 Carbine - 7.62x54mm R

Two soldiers in center carry M38 Carbines.

A soldier of Bulanov's company (at the left) carries an M38 Carbine.

A soldier of Bulanov's company carries an M38 Carbine.

Cossacks aim their carbines.

Chelnokov with a Nagant and a soldier with an M38 Carbine escort captured Ataman Bochkaryov.

"Bony Malice"'s (Vladimir Sokolov) rifle switches once more, now to M38 Carbine.

"Bony Malice" with M38 Carbine.

Pattern 1914 Enfield

Several crewmembers of Proletariy are armed with Pattern 1914 Enfield rifles.

Pattern M1914 (P 14) Enfield - .303 UK

Sailors in center carry Enfield rifles.

A sailor carries an Enfield rifle.

Two more sailors carry Enfield rifles.

Machine Guns

Degtyaryov DT (visually modified to resemble Lewis)

A Degtyaryov DT machine gun, visually modified to resemble Lewis Gun, is seen in several scenes. This is the same prop, used in Kazachya zastava (the one with dark wood on the stock).

DT machine gun - 7.62x54mm R. DT could be dismounted from the tank or armored car and used with a bipod as a light machine gun.

Lewis Gun - .303 British

A soldier of the machine-gun company of Amgunskiy regiment with fake Lewis.

A fake Lewis in the cabin of the captain of Proletariy.

A crewmember of Proletariy fires the machine gun at rioting soldiers who try to control the steamer.

Maxim M1910

Maxim M1910 machine guns are used by the machine-gun company of Amgunskiy regiment. They are also mounted on steamer Proletariy.

Maxim 1910, simplified version with smooth water jacket - 7.62x54mmR

Soldiers of the machine-gun company with Maxims.

Two Maxims in action. The barrel of fake Lewis machine gun is seen at the right.

Sailors of Proletariy carry a Maxim.

Sailors ready to open fire. M1910 and M1910/30 are seen at the left. A barrel at the right belongs to unidentified gun, possibly a mockup of machine gun (see below).

Soldiers of the machine-gun company stand in ceremonial formation with three Maxims.

Maxim M1910/30

At least one of the machine guns on Proletariy is a Maxim M1910/30.

Maxim 1910/30 machine gun - 7.62x54mmR

The barrel of M1910/30.

Sailors ready to open fire. A Maxim at the foreground seems to be M1910/30.

Mockup Machine Gun

What appears to be some mockup of machine gun, mounted on Sokolov mounting, is seen on Proletariy. The barrel resembles the DT, visually modified to resemble Lewis (see above), but it's a too vague guess.