Russo-Turkish War of Liberation 1877-1878

Chapter Three - Small arms of the warring states - Russia

"Krnka"

T.F.Gan, Colonel from the Russian army and an arms constructor, brought the Krnka model from Vienna to St Petersburg in 1876 when debates about different weaponry systems were at their height. This model was constructed by Sylvester Krnka, a Czech arms specialist, and was known for its simple mechanism. Its breech-bolt opened to the left, it had a short needle and could be handled easily. The Weaponry Commission had learned about its testing in Paris and the positive assessment given by French specialists. In the autumn of the same year, the constructor himself visited Petersburg and demonstrated samples he had brought with him. As a result, in January 1869 Krnka models were tested with Gan bullets. At the same time, the Russian Baranov system was also tested and even this model was already in production at the Putilov factory in Petersburg. When comparing the two systems, however, it became evident that the remaking of earlier Krnka 1856 models would cost 6 rubles, while Baranov models cost 7.50 rubles. Those considerations were taken into account when Krnka went into remaking and production by a decree of Alexander II dated March 18, 1869. The Baranov system was limited to the navy armament. The Krnka caliber was 7 inches or 15.24 cm. The gun was 4.5 kilograms heavy and 145 cm long.1

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