Shortly after the adoption of the M91 Infantry rifle two shorter versions were developed for mounted troops. The M91 Dragoon was intended for mounted infantry and the M91 Cossack for cavalry. At 48 ¾” they are 2 ½” shorter than the M91's 51 ¼”. The primary difference in the two is the Dragoon was sighted with the bayonet attached and the Cossack was not issued with a bayonet. Cossack rifles are scarce today and easily recognized by the mark "Ka3" on the chamber. Production of these models only took place at Izhevsk and Tula and overlapped M91/30 production by a few years in the early 1930s. Most of these rifles were later updated to M91/30 specifications with new sights, handguards, and barrel bands, but will retain the earlier barrel markings shown on this page. They are commonly referred to as "ex-Dragoons" or "updated Dragoons" by collectors. "Updated Cossacks" are much less common, but have been documented.

The rifle pictured at the top of the page is in original configuration with the early flat rear sight leaf, no recoil bolt and the full length handguard which wraps around the rear sight base. The rifle pictured below is in the later configuration with the Konovalov rear sight, recoil bolt, and a shortened handguard. The rear of the handguards were often damaged and simply cut back and later were produced in that configuration. Dragoons and Cossacks which have not been fully upgraded with M91/30 sights often have M91/30 handguards and barrel bands. Among collectors the type of sights is the primary consideration when determining if a rifle is a Dragoon or ex-Dragoon regardless of the handguard and barrel band types.

Barrel Markings The translated text is in the same format as the original and the dates are when the marking was used.
Izhevsk Ordnance Factory 1893-1919	Izhevsk Ordnance Factory 1919-1928	Izhevsk 1928-1932
Foremost Ordnance Factory (of the) USSR at Tula 1923-1928 (this mark is sometimes found on 1929 dated barrels)	Tula 1928-1932	Izhevsk Ordnance Factory 1894-1922 Cos(sack)

Receiver Tang Markings The pictures are representative and may not reflect actual dates for this model.
Tula Hammer and date (2 digit pre 1900)	Tula Hammer and date (3 digit post 1900)	Tula Star and date (post 1928)
Izhevsk Bow and Arrow and date (pre 1928)	Izhevsk Arrow in Triangle and date (post 1928)	Intentionally left blank

Other Country's Variations Follow the link for detailed information on the rifle.
Romanian unknown era, possibly Cold War Romanian made two piece Dragoon stock

Sight Variations
The original rear sights on Dragoon and Cossack rifles are a flat leaf graduated in arshini (singular arshin) which is an archaic Russian unit equal to 28". The base has five notches numbered 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 representing hundreds of arshini. The first pattern handguard on Dragoon and Cossack rifles wrapped around the sight base and the numbers were stamped in the wood itself. The rear of the leaf is marked 13 through 27 also representing hundreds of arshini with a notch in the leaf itself serving the 2700 arshini (2100 yards) range. However, the example below is not marked with the "26" or "27". The base is attached to the barrel by means of a dovetail and is soldered in place.
With the adoption of the spitzer bullet in 1908 a new rear sight leaf designed by Konovalov was adapted to the existing base which did not change significantly. The arshin unit was retained and most Dragoons and Cossacks were retrofitted with the new leaf. The graduations on the back side are from 13 to 32 (hundred arshini) with the notch at the end of the leaf itself being eliminated. The numbers were stamped on the side of the base after the short handguard was adopted. Dragoon sight leafs are stamped "KaB" and Cossack sight leafs are stamped "Ka3" to distinguish them from M91 sight leafs which are not marked.
The Dragoon and Cossack front sight is a simple "barleycorn" blade dovetailed to a base which is integral to the barrel.

Cleaning rod nut, tapered hole in front only, hole in top threaded to receive nose cap screw to aid in removing nut

Nose cap

Sling slots with screwed in place escutcheons

Barrel Bands
Solid band until 1930	Button band 1930-1932	M91/30 band often used for replacement

Handguard (second pattern)

Bayonet Socket (Dragoon only)