Usage
Both the Berdan I and Berdan II were used by Guard units in the Russian Army during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78. Russian forces, although ultimately victorious, were badly mauled by the very long range fire from Turk Peabody-Martini rifles at battles like Pleven. After the war a long-range auxiliary sight was adopted and retrofitted to the Berdan II infantry rifle.
The Berdanka, as it was called, continued on in Russian service even after the adoption of the Mosin Nagant. Most Russian troops had Berdan rifles in the Russo-Japanese war of 1905 as well. During World War I, some Russian second line, training and service units were armed with the Berdan II. It is common to see Berdan rifles in photos of street fighting taken during the Russian Revolution of 1917.
The Berdan II was also adopted by Bulgaria and saw service, though by then very limited, in Finland as late as World War II. About 3000 Berdan rifles were issued to Finnish troops at the initial stages of Winter War because of great lack of infantry weapons. These rifles were replaced by more modern rifles as soon as it was possible.
The Kingdom of Serbia also received around 75,000 rifles as military aid at the turn of the 20th century. It saw service in the Balkan Wars and the First World War in the hands of Serbian soldiers of the 3rd class (men over 50 years old).
The Korean Empire used this rifle after the Korea royal refuge at the Russian legation incident-commonly called "Agwan Pacheon" in Korea. About 6,000 rifles were used by the Koreans as a main rifle, including Guard units (until the Guard units' rifles were replaced by the Mauser Model 1871).
Read more about this topic: Berdan Rifle
Famous quotes containing the word usage:
“...Often the accurate answer to a usage question begins, “It depends.” And what it depends on most often is where you are, who you are, who your listeners or readers are, and what your purpose in speaking or writing is.”
—Kenneth G. Wilson (b. 1923)
“Girls who put out are tramps. Girls who don’t are ladies. This is, however, a rather archaic usage of the word. Should one of you boys happen upon a girl who doesn’t put out, do not jump to the conclusion that you have found a lady. What you have probably found is a lesbian.”
—Fran Lebowitz (b. 1951)
“Pythagoras, Locke, Socrates—but pages
Might be filled up, as vainly as before,
With the sad usage of all sorts of sages,
Who in his life-time, each was deemed a bore!
The loftiest minds outrun their tardy ages.”
—George Gordon Noel Byron (1788–1824)