INFANTRY WEAPONS OF LATVIAN SOLDIERS DURING THE LATVIAN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE, 1918-1920

1st part. Rifles and carbines in the Latvian War of Independence.

The middle of the 19th century was marked by one of the most important events in the evolution of firearms. A cartridge was made, which allowed the gun barrel to be loaded from the breechloader. In the following decades chemists created smokeless gunpowder. Both of these inventions created a foundation for all modern firearm systems. The battles of the Latvian War of Independence were a direct continuation of the First World War in this territory. This is why German, Russian and Latvian soldiers used the same weapons, that had been previously used by the belligerents on the battlefront. During the battles of the Latvian War of Independence, the main weapon of the infantry was either a rifle or a carbine. However, in terms of force, many other weapons surpassed these aforementioned guns. The power of individual weapons was increased by support weapons. These included machine guns, grenade launchers and mine-throwers. The military equipment was supplemented by hand grenades and cold weapons – bayonets or swords. In the course of the Latvian War of Independence, Latvian soldiers acquired equipment in any possible way. The equipment was bought from the British, French, Americans, and their enemies – the Germans. The weapons were also acquired as an aid from the Russian Anti-Bolshevik military units. At the same time, weapons were taken from the soldiers of the red army. After the merging of both Latvian brigades and the founding of Latvian army, the aid from the Allies was steadily increasing, reaching the highest point during the Bermondt offensive. In 1919 throughout the beginning of October Latvian army had 21.674 guns (including carbines), 173 machine guns, 121 light machine guns and 27 canons in its possession. Following Bermondt’s attack in October 8, 1919 Latvian army received more supplies of weapons and ammunition, which included 18.600 rifles, 124 machine guns, 7400 hand grenades and 10 million rifle cartridges. Rearmament of the Russian imperial army took place in the 1890s, when the military equipment was complemented by the Belgian Leon Nagant’s 3-line rifle, made in 1891. The term “3-lines” indicates the calibre of the barrel, measured in 1/10 inches or 2.54 mm. Thus 3 lines equates to 7.62 mm. Nagant rifle’s construction was improved by the captain of Russian imperial army S. Mosin, who later on became the head of the Sestroretsk weapon manufactory. That’s why the term “Mosin’s system” became rooted in the USSR. The rifle was being made in three different variations as early as 1891. These included infantry, dragoon and Cossack types, that were distinguished by minor details and size variations. In 1907 a 3-line carbine was developed on the basis of an earlier dragoon rifle. This gun was made specifically for artillery and other technical units. The development of pointed bullets allow 3-line rifles to be enhanced by a new sight, made by V.Konovalov. A Nagant-Mosin weapon was usually a typical late 19th century manual repeating rifle with a bolt action, that could be loaded with either 1891 or 1908 type 7,62x54R bullets. Magazine could be loaded with four bullets from the clip, while at the same time one bullet could be inserted directly into the barrel. 3-line rifle was a precise, simple and durable weapon, well suited for combat in the fields with sand, dust and dirt. At the end of 1914 Russia encountered a severe lack of rifles, that was exacerbated by problems in the manufactories, finances and bureaucracy. In the march of 1915 Russian army had 57 divisions in its north-western front. However, the lack of rifles exceeded 320 thousand weapons. Taking into consideration the numerical composition of Russian army it is easy to deduce that out of 57 divisions, 21 where not armed properly. The Russian government supplemented the empire’s weapons from abroad. For example, more than half a million 1891 type rifles were ordered from the US weapon manufacturers New England Westinghouse company and Remington. That is how during Latvian War of Independence, Latvians had acquired Russian and American M-1891 rifles. Vast majority of the US production was sent to the Russian imperial army. However, with the outbreak of the revolution Americans stopped the deliveries. The surplus was sold to anti-Bolshevik forces, including Estonian and Latvian armies.

Rifle M-1891 (dragoon modification)

caliber, cartridge – 7,62x54R, 1891 sample length without bayonet – 1238 mm length with bayonet – 1666 mm weight without bayonet – 4,2 kg weight with bayonet – 4,5 kg length of barrel – 731 mm aiming distance – 2700 steps muzzle velocity – 620 m/sec.

Rifle M-1891/1910 (infantry modification)

caliber, cartridge – 7,62x54R, 1908 sample length without bayonet – 1306 mm length with bayonet – 1734 mm weight without bayonet – 4,2 kg weight with bayonet – 4,5 kg length of barrel – 800 mm aiming distance – 2700 steps muzzle velocity – 620 m/sec.

Infantry training rifle M-1891

Soldier of Latvian army Jānis Ašmanis with a dragoon modified rifle M-1891/1910

Soldiers of 7th infantry regiment of Sigulda during Bermondt’s offensive with 3-line rifles and carbine M-1891/1907. Courland, end of November 1919

In the 1880s Germany, similarly to other advanced countries, began to use magazine rifles. Germany introduced a “commission” rifle Gewehr 88, compilation with a Mauser system breechblock and a Mannlicher cartridge magazine. In the 1890s a carbine Karabiner 88, was developed on the aforementioned basis, though it had a shorter barrel. In the beginning of the First World War these weapons and their respective munition became out of date. Therefore, these weapons were mainly used by soldiers in the second line and in the reserve. In the territory of Latvia, German army warehouses contained these weapons. But at the beginning of the 20th century the German army was rearmed with Mauser system rifles Gew.98 and carbines Kar.98. The main characteristic of these weapons was a 5-rounded clip-loaded magazine with five cartridges, that could be loaded through an open breechblock. In 1904 Germany developed a new cartridge with a pointed bullet, that gave way to the construction of a new type of sight (Lange construction). This rifle was called as the II model. It was a very successful weapon that was used heavily in other countries. It was either bought from Germany or made by a license. During the war Gew.88 rifle had a simplified flat sector sight. In December 7, 1918 the Latvian government made an agreement with the representative of the German government August Winnig, which allowed the formation of Latvian units under the command of Baltic landeswehr. The agreement also allowed Latvian military units to get various resources, including weapons, clothing and other materials from German warehouses. That is how German Mauser system rifles were acquired by Latvian soldiers. 1908 carbines Kar.98 were used even more often than rifles replaced previous 1902 model carbines. After the war, an index „a” was added to the name of the weapon – Kar.98(a).

Rifle Gewehr 88

calibre, cartridge – 7,92x57 or M.1888 length without bayonet – 1250 mm length with bayonet – 1718 mm length of barrel – 740 mm weight without bayonet – 3,8 kg weight with bayonet – 4,3 kg aiming distance – 2050 m Muzzle velocity - 635 (m/sec.)

Carbine Gewehr 88

calibre, cartridge – 7,92x57 or M.1888 length without bayonet – 950 mm length of barrel – 445 mm weight without bayonet – 3,1 kg aiming distance – 1200 m muzzle velocity – 635 m/sec.

Officers of the intelligence group of Latvian battalion of Independence in Courland, May 1919. The weapons in the picture, from left – Mauser system rifle Gew.98, Russian three-line rifle M-1891, German “commission” carbine Kar,88

Rifle Gewehr 98 II mod.

calibre, cartridge – 7,92x57 or M.1904 length without bayonet – 1250 mm length with bayonet – 1500 mm weight without bayonet – 4,1 kg weight with bayonet – 4,56 kg length of barrel – 740 mm aiming distance – 2000 m muzzle velocity – 895 m/sec.

Soldiers of 7th infantry regiment of Sigulda. Ventspils, autumn of 1919. Weapons in the first row from left – three-line rifle M-1891, rifle Gew.98 II mod.; second row from left – rifle Gew.98 II mod. and 2., 3., and 4. line rifles M-1891

Carabine Kar.98 (Kar.98(a))

calibre, cartridge – 7,92x57 or M.1904 length without bayonet – 1110 mm length with bayonet – 1340 mm length of barrel – 600 mm weight without bayonet – 3,9 kg weight with bayonet – 4,33 kg aiming distance – 2000 m muzzle velocity – 895 m/sec.

Sergeant of the Courland separate squadron Kārlis Rebiņš. Weapons – 1908 type German carbine Kar,98 and Russian 1881 type dragoon sword – shashka. November 1919.

Rifle with a flat sector sight Gewehr 98 II mod.

First British rifles that were acquired by Latvian soldiers appeared on a military parade in 27th December 1918, that took place on the intersection of Stabu and Alexander (Brīvības) street. English sailors provided Ministry of Defence with few British weapons and taught Latvian soldiers how to use them. Not a single photograph of the event has been preserved. However, the soldiers probably had British .303 (7,71 mm) calibre Lee-Enfield or Ross-Enfield rifles and carbines. Lee- Enfield weapons were supplied with a magazine of ten .303 (7,71 mm) cartridges.

Rifle Lee-Enfield Mk I*

calibre, cartridge – .303 or 7,71x56R length without bayonet (mm) – 1253 length with bayonet (mm) – 1557 weight without bayonet (kg) – 4,2 weight with bayonet (kg) – 4,62 length of barrel (mm) – 810 aiming distance (m) – 3200 (3500 yards) Muzzle velocity (m/sec.) – 610

Latvian soldiers on the way to parade. Riga, September 1919. Soldiers have Lee- Enfield Mk I* with bayonets.

On the second half of 1919 the command of Allied powers provided Latvian army with a larger quantity of various Lee-Enfield rifles and carbines and a Ross- Enfield 1914 rifle or English “mauser” as it was called, that could be reloaded with the same calibre cartridges. However, Ross-Enfield rifle was significantly longer and heavier than Lee-Enfield carbines and therefore more uncomfortable to use

Rifle Ross- Enfield P.1914

calibre, cartridge – .303 or 7,71x56R length without bayonet – 1170 mm length with bayonet – 1575 mm weight without bayonet – 4,15 kg weight with bayonet – 4,45 kg length of barrel – 660 mm aiming distance – 2380 m (2600 yards) muzzle velocity – 840 m/sec.

Students company of the 5th Cēsis infantry regiment. Riga, September 1919. Weapons of the soldiers – British rifles Ross-Enfield P.1914 with bayonets

On the front of Latgale, spring 1920. Soldier in the forefront with a British rifle Ross- Enfield P.1914

During the First World War Russia was supplying its arms with Japanese rifles and carbines, that were developed by colonel Nariakira Arisaka in various years. They had a sliding block mechanism and two round magazines for five 1897 type 6,5x50,5 cartridges. In 1916 Latvian riflemen received two Arisaka models - Type 30 un Type 38, as they were called after Japanese calendar. These were 1897 and 1905 type 6,5 mm calibre rifles and carbines. It was thought, that the rifle Type 30 resembled Mauser system rifles, however the construction of breechblock differed. That is especially evident in 1905 type rifles, that had breechblock which was drastically different. It was made of five details and a unique lid covered the breechblock, covering it from sand and dirt. It should be noted that Arisaka system rifles and carbines surpassed American Winchester M95 and Russian 1891 rifles in terms of weight and quality. Despite having a smaller calibre these were the best individual weapons for the riflemen in the First World War. These weapons were kept in German trophy warehouses, that were later overtaken by Latvian soldiers.

Rifle Arisaka Type 30 or M.1897

calibre, cartridge – 6,5x50,5 length without bayonet – 1270 mm length with bayonet – 1660 mm weight without bayonet – 3,9 kg weight with bayonet – 4,3 kg length of barrel – 800 mm aiming distance – 2000 m muzzle velocity – 704 m/sec.

Carabine Arisaka Type 30 or M.1897

calibre, cartridge – 6,5x50,5 length without bayonet – 970 mm length with bayonet – 1360 mm weight without bayonet – 3,5 kg weight with bayonet – 3,9 kg length of barrel – 480 mm aiming distance – 2400 m Muzzle velocity - ??? m/sec.

Rifle Arisaka Type 38 or M.1905

calibre, cartridge – 6,5x50,5 length without bayonet – 1270 mm length with bayonet – 1660 mm weight without bayonet – 3,9 kg weight with bayonet – 4,3 kg length of barrel – 800 mm aiming distance – 2400 m muzzle velocity – 770 m/sec.

Soldier of Cēsis company Žanis Kuplēns with a Japanese 1897 type carbine “tip 30”. Courland, autumn 1919.

Soldiers of the Northern Latvian brigade. Vidzeme, summer of 1919. Soldiers on both sides with Japanese 1905 type rifles Type 38. Soldier in the middle with Russian three-line rifle M-1891/1910

During the War of Independence France promised military aid to Latvia. However, this aid was severely delayed – the weapons were transported to Latvia only at the end of 1919. The aid mainly consisted of Lebel-Berthier system rifles M-le 1907/15 and Hotchkiss 8 mm heavy machineguns Hotchkiss M-le 1914. Rifles M-le 1907/15 needed 1886 type 8 mm cartridges 86D(am) or 8x50R, that were old fashioned but powerful at the same time. Unfortunately rifles magazine could be loaded with only three cartridges

Rifle Lebel M-le 1886/93

calibre, cartridge – 86D(am) or 8x50R length without bayonet – 1305 mm length with bayonet – 1825 mm length of barrel – 804 mm weight without bayonet – 4,18 kg weight with bayonet – 4,63 kg aiming distance – 2000 m muzzle velocity – 632 m/sec.

St. Etienne M-le 1907/15 (Lebel M-le 1916)

calibre, cartridge – 86D(am) or 8x50R length without bayonet – 1306 mm length with bayonet – 1825 mm length of barrel – 804 mm weight with bayonet – 4,645 kg aiming distance – 2400 m muzzle velocity – 720 m/sec.