Ultimately, the Bolsheviks defaulted on the contracts and Remington and NEW were thrown into financial chaos. When the October Revolution overthrew Kerensky’s government, there was interest by both the Bolsheviks and the US to re-negotiate the contract. When the Czar was overthrown and replaced by Alexander Kerensky’s Provisional Government, the contracts for the rifles fell into purgatory. In consequence, many Remington and NEW rifles failed to make it over to Russia in time. Russian inspectors were known for refusing to inspect or pass firearms parts, as they themselves did not want to have to return to the Russia and the war. Marlin produced a variant of the Browning 1895 Machine Gun, known as the “Potato Digger.” All were chambered in the standard Russian service cartridge, the M91 7.62x54Rmm. Winchester produced a “musket” variant of their famed 1895 lever action rifle. Remington and NEW built the standard Russian service rifle: the M1891. Russia was no exception, placing calls to Remington, Winchester, New England Westinghouse (NEW), and Marlin Firearms. As the United States had a policy that could best be summed up as “cash & carry”, the Triple Entente nations called upon the famed gunmakers of the United States. During World War One, Russia (much like every other nation) was dreadfully short of rifles and forced to look overseas for more weapons.
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