R.V.S.

R.V.S. Original Theatrical Poster Country USSR Directed by Aleksey Moroz Release Date 1977 Language Russian Studio Dovzhenko Film Studios Main Cast Character Actor Dimka Vadim Shumeyko Zhigan Vladimir Chubarev Pavel Sergeev Anatoli Barchuk Dimka's mother Mariya Kochur Dimka's father Nikolay Merzlikin (II) Goloven' Nikolay Oleynik Ataman Kozolup Vladimir Volkov Ataman Lyovka Mikhail Gornostal

R.V.S. (short for "Revvoyensovet" - Revolutionary Military Council, the supreme military authority in the Red Army during the Russian Civil War) is a 1977 Soviet children's war movie directed by Aleksey Moroz and adapted from a 1925 story by Arkady Gaidar. In 1919 two boys, Dimka and Zhigan, shelter wounded Red commander Sergeev in a small Ukrainian village that is often raided by various gangs. When the bandits start looking for Sergeev, Zhigan goes to the Reds with a letter written on Sergeev's personal blank with R.V.S. stamp. Despite the dangers, he reaches the Red Army unit, and the cavalry appears on time.

The following weapons were used in the film R.V.S.:

Revolvers

Nagant M1895

The commander (Vyacheslav Slanko) and the commissar (Vladimir Nechiporenko) of the Red cavalry unit, and also several bandits of Kozolup's and Lyovka's gangs carry Nagant M1895 revolvers.

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

Kozolup's bandit at the right (Valeri Potapenko) holds a Nagant.

Lyovka's bandit at the left (V. Deev) holds a Nagant. The post-1930 front sight is seen.

Same bandit holds his Nagant when he stops his comrade from shooting.

The Red commander carries a Nagant holster (he is also seen with a Nagant in hand during the battle, but too unclear for a good screenshot).

The Red commissar's Nagant is seen at the background.

Pistols

Mauser C96 "Bolo"

Red commander Pavel Sergeev's (Anatoli Barchuk) handgun is a Mauser C96 "Bolo" pistol, anachronistic for 1919. Both rival Atamans - Kozolup (Vladimir Volkov) and Lyovka (Mikhail Gornostal) - also hold "Bolo" pistols in various scenes (as only a single pistol is seen in a time, possibly the same prop is reused).

Mauser C96 "Bolo" - 7.63x25mm Mauser

Kozolup (in center) holds his Mauser C96 "Bolo".

Wounded Sergeev draws his pistol.

Sergeev, pistol in hand, watches at the bandits, surrounding the barn. The Mauser "barrel" logo can be seen on the frame of the pistol; this feature can be seen only on the pistols, manufactured since mid-1920s.

The side-to-side lanyard ring can be seen.

Lyovka holds a "Bolo" when trying to escape from the Red cavalry.

Rifles

Mosin Nagant M1891 Infantry

Mosin Nagant M1891 Infantry rifles are used by both bandits, notably Dimka's uncle Goloven' (Nikolay Oleynik), and Red Army men. In the flashback scene Dimka's father (Nikolay Merzlikin (II)) holds an M91 Infantrty rifle when he goes to Red Army.

Imperial Russian Mosin Nagant M1891 Infantry - 7.62x54mm R

Several of Kozolup's bandits are armed with M91 Infantry rifles.

Dimka's father carries an M91 Infantry rifle with bayonet.

Goloven' cleans his rifle.

Dimka finds Goloven's rifle, hidden on the attic.

Dimka opens the bolt.

Goloven' carries his rifle.

Red sentry (Nikolay Kovtunenko) holds an M91 Infantry rifle with bayonet.

Mosin Nagant M1891 Dragoon

Most Red Army cavalrymen and some bandits carry Mosin Nagant M1891 Dragoon rifles.

Imperial Russian Mosin Nagant M1891 Dragoon - 7.62x54mm R

Red cavalryman Vasilchenko (Vladimir Volkov (II) carries an M91 Dragoon rifle.

One of Kozolup's bandits carries an M91 Dragoon rifle.

A bandit holds an M91 Dragoon rifle during the shootout with Sergeev.

Mosin Nagant "obrez"

One of Lyovka's bandits (Anatoliy Sokolovskiy) is armed with a Mosin Nagant "obrez". Judging by the shape of the rear sight, the "obrez" is made of an M91/30 rifle.

Mosin Nagant M91/30 "Obrez" - 7.62x54mm R

The bandit threatens Zhigan.

The bandit with the "obrez".

The bandit aims at running Zhigan.

A good view of the "obrez". The post-1930 rear sight is seen.

A general view of the "obrez".

Machine Guns

Maxim M1910/30

A Maxim M1910/30 of the Red Army unit is seen in several scene.

Maxim M1910/30 - 7.62x54mm R

The Maxim on tachanka horse cart in the night scene.

Sergeev, Dimka and Zhigan on the tachanka with the Maxim.

Another view of the Maxim.