Berdan Rifle

Russian Berdan No.2 (M1870) Infantry rifle - 10.67x58mm R

Berdan rifles were two Russian Army service rifles, desinged by Hiram Berdan with the assistance of Russian officers Gorlov and Gunnius. Berdan No.1 (M1868) had a trapdoor breech block and was very soon replaced with a bolt action Berdan No.2 (M1870) that was the main rifle of the Russian Army until Mosin Nagant M1891 was put into service. It existed in full-length Infantry rifle, shortened Dragoon and Cossack rifles and a carbine. Both Berdan models used the same cartridge of .42 caliber ("4,2 line" in old Russian measure system). Except Russian Empire, Berdan M1870 rifles were used by Bulgaria, Ethiopia, Mongolia and some other countries.

In early 1900s a lot of surplus Berdan rifles were converted into bolt action shotguns in caliber from 16 to 32 Gauge. Such guns were known as "berdanka", and this nickname became a common Russian name for all bolt action shotguns.

Specifications

Berdan No.2 Rifle

(1870 - early 1920s}

• Type: Bolt-action rifle

• Country of Origin: Russian Empire

• Caliber: 10.67x58mm R

• Weight: 9.3 lbs (4.2 kg)

• Length: 51.2 in (130 cm)

• Barrel Length: 32.7 in (83 cm) (Infantry rifle)

• Capacity: 1

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The Berdan Rifle and variants can be seen in the following films, television series, video games, and anime used by the following actors:

Film

Title	Actor	Character	Note	Date
Dersu Uzala	Maksim Munzuk	Dersu Uzala		1975