Norwegian Krag and 1911

[BAS]

Just a little community service on my part

If any of you have either a Norwegian Krag or 1911, you can shoot me a PM with details, and I can look it up for you. I have the full lists of production and disposition. The list are not exactly complete, due to a 5-year visit by the germans, but I can look up when it was made, and what unit had it in 1940.

Bjørn

[Gazz]

That's very nice of you Bjorn. I wish I had one for you look up for me!

[Arizona Highlander]

Wow, thanks BAS! That’s a very kind offer!

I’ve got an old Nordic Krag. Someone “sporterized” it, probably in the 1950’s (when military bolt-actions were almost considered throwaway guns) by cutting the barrel and stock, and adding a Lyman ramp front sight, and a Pacific peep rear sight.

A shame, because it would be way cooler today if it was still original - but what can you do?

But this old Krag has some really beautiful wood, and the manufacturing quality is absolutely first-rate. I can’t imagine how anyone could possibly make a rifle like this today - just too labor intensive.

Here’s some photos (last two digits of serial number blocked out )





So, it’s serial number 1452xx, and it seems to have been made in 1920 . . . and that’s all I know about it!

Any historical background information would be most welcome!

[BAS]

Originally posted by Arizona Highlander
Wow, thanks BAS! That’s a very kind offer!

I’ve got an old Nordic Krag. Someone “sporterized” it, probably in the 1950’s (when military bolt-actions were almost considered throwaway guns) by cutting the barrel and stock, and adding a Lyman ramp front sight, and a Pacific peep rear sight.

A shame, because it would be way cooler today if it was still original - but what can you do?

But this old Krag has some really beautiful wood, and the manufacturing quality is absolutely first-rate. I can’t imagine how anyone could possibly make a rifle like this today - just too labor intensive.

Here’s some photos (last two digits of serial number blocked out )

So, it’s serial number 1452xx, and it seems to have been made in 1920 . . . and that’s all I know about it!

Any historical background information would be most welcome!

Ok, here we go

As you say, serials 140701 to 145600 was produced in 1920, making this originally a rifle m/1894, the so called "long krag". In 1940, it is listed as stored at HA (hovedarsenalet- main arsenal) in a batch covering serials 132490 to 152000. It was *probably* never issued to any unit. But, from 1940 onwards, there are no surviving records, due to German occupation of Norway.

Bjørn

[BAS]

Here is the Wikipedia article on the different versions. And, yes, I'm listed in the references there

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krag-J%C3%B8rgensen

Andersen, Bjørn (1998) Krag-Jorgensen Rifles and the Danish & Norwegian Military Retrieved Jan. 26 2005.

That is I (waving royally to the subjects)
The old e-mail addy in the article does not work anymore. hehe



Bjørn

[FAL GRUNT]

I am in the process of building 2 1914's (Norwegian 1911's) and will post when I get done with them.

I've had alot of guidance from a gent in norway. He took pictures of a book about them to help with references.

I'll keep you in mind if I need help with any of the details.

-myers

[BAS]

Originally posted by FAL GRUNT
I am in the process of building 2 1914's (Norwegian 1911's) and will post when I get done with them.

I've had alot of guidance from a gent in norway. He took pictures of a book about them to help with references.

I'll keep you in mind if I need help with any of the details.

-myers

Probably the same book I have hehe

Bjørn

[Arizona Highlander]

My thanks to you, BAS, for your help. It's great to know a little history about my old Krag rifle.

This information makes that old Krag even more interesting, so I'll be sure to file it away with the rifle's paperwork.

Thanks again!

[charles isaac]

This one needs another sideplate.

Norwegian Krag

BAS, How hard is it to own these rifles in Norway?

[BAS]

Originally posted by charles isaac
This one needs another sideplate.

Norwegian Krag

BAS, How hard is it to own these rifles in Norway?

It's no problem, they are still used for hunting and competitions. As with all guns you need a permit, but it's not hard to get one. For instance, all I need to be able to apply for one is to pay my hunters licence. If you want it for competition shooting, all you need is a membership in a club.

I'm not so sure that it was "some numbskull" who scratched norway on the sideplate of that rifle, it is just possible that it was done during ww2. It's a very slight possibility, but quite a number of rifles were in use in the norwegian merchant marine and navy during the war.

bjørn

[BAS]

Originally posted by BAS


It's no problem, they are still used for hunting and competitions. As with all guns you need a permit, but it's not hard to get one. For instance, all I need to be able to apply for one is to pay my hunters licence. If you want it for competition shooting, all you need is a membership in a club.

I'm not so sure that it was "some numbskull" who scratched norway on the sideplate of that rifle, it is just possible that it was done during ww2. It's a very slight possibility, but quite a number of rifles were in use in the norwegian merchant marine and navy during the war.

Bjørn

ps, BUY IT!!!! The 1912 carbine is the sweetest handling rifle you can get.
It's actually not a true carbine, it's more medium length, the real carbines are much shorter. It was supposed to superceed both the carbines and the long rifle in service, but never got quite that far for budgetary reasons. hehe

additional: The rifle in that auction is listed as belonging to the 2nd mountain artillery battalion in 1940.

[charles isaac]

Originally posted by BAS

ps, BUY IT!!!! The 1912 carbine is the sweetest handling rifle you can get.

I would like to have it but I already have quite a few of the American made Krags. Most people agree that the Norwegians made the best looking Krags and the 6.5 is a great cartridge.

Originally posted by BAS

Probably the only private in the RNoAF who said no thanks to the AG3. I had my own L1A1.

That is outstanding. How did you manage to get the L1A1?

[FAL GRUNT]

I'll have to get me a Norwegian Krag here soon. My uncle has a pristine US Krag that will be mine someday... so that leaves the Norwegian.

Everyone raves about the 6.5x55 cartridge, so I guess I am going to have to build something in that (excuse to buy the dies, brass, etc).

-myers

[BAS]

Originally posted by charles isaac

That is outstanding. How did you manage to get the L1A1?

bought it at the local gun-shop.

Bjørn

[BAS]

BTT

Any more takers?

Bjørn

[Arizona Highlander]

Wow, am I the only guy on FALfiles who actually owns a Norwegian Krag?

Makes me feel kinda special.

[torquemada055]

Makes me feel kinda special.

Good for you son, now here's your helmet and your friend Vince is waiting on the little bus for you..............

[wildwilly]

I think I have one in 6.5 by 55 with a badly corroded barrel. I will check tonight and get back to you. I would like the data from the serial number.

[BAS]

Originally posted by wildwilly
I think I have one in 6.5 by 55 with a badly corroded barrel. I will check tonight and get back to you. I would like the data from the serial number.

Bring it on!!

Bjørn

[wildwilly]

BASmine is a 6.5 x 55, very similiar looking to the one in charles isaac's"Jack the Dog ad", except its been sanded of all numbers and the handguard and middle band have been removed. The front metal, bayonet mount is removed/shorteneand to a 3/4 inch band with front sight. It also has Norway scratched .on the side plate. Marked 1918 serial 19945. I forget if I got it in a Casper Army Surplus or a Denver gun show but the bore is all but ruined. Rips cleaning rags to pieces. Makes you wonder if a new barrel or used ones are around. Could you give any info on this ones origins?

[BAS]

Originally posted by wildwilly
BASmine is a 6.5 x 55, very similiar looking to the one in charles isaac's"Jack the Dog ad", except its been sanded of all numbers and the handguard and middle band have been removed. The front metal, bayonet mount is removed/shorteneand to a 3/4 inch band with front sight. It also has Norway scratched .on the side plate. Marked 1918 serial 19945. I forget if I got it in a Casper Army Surplus or a Denver gun show but the bore is all but ruined. Rips cleaning rags to pieces. Makes you wonder if a new barrel or used ones are around. Could you give any info on this ones origins?

Ok, here we go.
It's a Karabin, M/1912, made in 1918, serial nr. and year matches. Originaly it would have had the one-piece, reinforced nose cap/barrel band. It is listed as on strength with the Coastal artillery, Bergen area (Bergens Befestninger) in 1940.

Barrels are getting difficult to get hold of, even here. (10 miles from the factory) I have no clue about availability in the US. If you are looking for one, be sure to get a barrel for the 1912, they are a bit different than earlier models. A good 'smith could probably make one for you, using the old one as a template, but that is probably not a cheap fix.

Bjørn

[BAS]

I'm giving this a bump, just in case there are any new owners out there


Bjørn

[FAL GRUNT]

If anyone needs a Norwegian Krag rebarreled I have since had the pleasure of working on one for a customer. Quite a SWEET little action!

http://myersarms.wordpress.com/2011/...n-6-5x55-krag/

-myers

[SWOHFAL]

Originally Posted by BAS

I'm giving this a bump, just in case there are any new owners out there


Bjørn

And here we were thinking they put you into a cell next to Breivik because of how much you like multiculturalism and socialism....

[BAS]

Shhhhhhhhhhhhh, don't give them any ideas

Bjørn

Originally Posted by SWOHFAL

And here we were thinking they put you into a cell next to Breivik because of how much you like multiculturalism and socialism....

[BAS]

Nice one You can tell your customer that the rifle was on strength with the Møre infanteriregiment nr. 11 (IR 11) in april 1940, located at Setnesmoen near Åndalsnes. This was one of the few units that successfully mobilized after the German invasion.

Here is their story, unfortunately only in Norwegian.

http://www.lokalhistoriewiki.no/inde...re_verdenskrig

Here is The story of the battle for Dombås, in English

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Domb%C3%A5s

Bjørn

Originally Posted by FAL GRUNT

If anyone needs a Norwegian Krag rebarreled I have since had the pleasure of working on one for a customer. Quite a SWEET little action!

http://myersarms.wordpress.com/2011/...n-6-5x55-krag/

-myers

[Abominog]

Three years ago on another firearms website a WTB ad was posted looking for a Norwegian 1911. These are not that common in USA.

So another member posts that there's one in his local gunshop and explains that the slide had been tapped and the trigger was wrong for a Norwegian.

That's odd, I knew of one matching that exact description.

So I PMd the respondent, and asked him if it was at "my" shop.
He confirmed that was the shop.
We both spent a lot of time out of town, so for three months emailed back and forth. It went like this:
I live in town X.
Hey, I live in town X.
I'm Y years old.
Hey, I'm Y years old!
I live on ABC street.
You're kidding- you're two streets from me!

Needless to say, once we met face to face we were buds forever. We're always working on some gun project or another.

All thanks to a rare, sadly modified, Norwegian 1911.

[FUUN063]

Hey, I'm Y years old!!

Neat. I wish I had a Norwegian 1911.

Leland

[AliYahu]

I'm still kicking myself for not picking up a nice 1914 at a local shop for about $350 a few years ago, when I had the cash in my pocket. I knew what it was, but it was ugly, somebody had badly nickled it and the finish was peeling.

Eli

[wildwilly]

I too have a norwegain krag with a bad barrel. Figure it be cheaper and more likely to acquire another but Ihave never seen another for sale.