100 years ago: WWI.... What's that rifle???

[StratsMan]

I found a pictorial essay from the Daily Mirror. (http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/first-world-war-pictures-100-3950837)

As I was scrolling through, I found a picture of guys in a trench with lever-action rifles. The caption says "Scottish soldiers ready for a gas attack near the River Somme in December 1916". Here's the link for the full-size image...

http://i4.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article3934231.ece/alternates/s1227b/World-War-One-River-Somme.jpg

I know the Tsar used some Winchester 1895's in 7.62x54R, but I didn't know we sent any to the UK... Perhaps that photo is mis-labeled and those really are Russian soldiers... Or maybe they're not Win 95's....

Anybody got a different take on them???

[texassako]

They are definitely Winchester '95's, but I don't know if it is mislabeled or if we did send some.

[RogerDat]

I would say that this Win 1895 looks an awful lot like the one in the WW1 picture.
http://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showpost.php?p=3798714&postcount=28

Earlier in the thread there are diagrams of the action open and closed. Which matches well with the news photo.

[runfiverun]

those are for sure win 95's.
there were more of them made in 7.62 X 54R than in anything else airc.

those hat's and the helmet in the back are not British though.

[MtGun44]

Don't look like UK uniforms, I think it is Rooskie troops, definitely with Win 95s.

Some loon in the history dept doesn't know a Rooskie uniform from a Brit uniform and
"all rifles are the same."

Check this out. http://www.diggerhistory.info/images/thru-ages/ww1-4.jpg
Look at second guy, top row. I think they are Russians.

Same hat and emblem as leftmost guy in the Mirror pic: http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/159898/159898,1211472714,8/stock-photo-russian-uniform-ww-12904243.jpg

Bill

[tomme boy]

Russian. See how the guy that is firing the rifle has the thing wrapped around his chest. I have only seen the Russians do that.

[Geraldo]

The cap device, medal on soldier on the left, 1895s, gas masks, and blanket rolls (Tommies used backpacks) are all Russian. This says they're Russians as well http://www.forgottenweapons.com/vintage-saturday-lever-actions-in-the-trenches/

[WILCO]

Russian.

Yep. Russians.

[starnbar]

The soldier on the far left looks like he is wearing the cross of St George.

[DR Owl Creek]

Definitely Russian uniforms.

Dave

[Ed Barrett]

Those sure ain't kilts and scotch bonnets. Those are ruskies.

[Wayne Smith]

Obviously the Daily Mirror has no idea what they are publishing! How long ago was it that journalism was a stickler for accuracy? How far we have come.