During the years following the Crimean War the Russian military put a great deal of emphasis on modernizing the infantry weapons in use at the time.  This was because they felt that poor infantry weapons were partly responsible for their Crimean defeat.  The rapid change from muzzle loading muskets to newer breach loading rifles was another reason for the large number of weapons developed and used during this period.

Here we have several weapons to display, some dating from far before the period.  Newer weapons developed during this period are in the first column, while older weapons remaining in service are found in the second column.  Each is accompanied by photographs, technical specifications, and a full description of the weapon.  We have tried to focus of the history of each weapon's development, its capabilities and limitations, and where they have been used in combat.  The various types of ammunition used with each weapon are also listed and described.