Norwegian M1912 Carbine

[andiarisaka]

Cast bullet molds for large 6.5 bores now available: NOE 269 145Gr. FN - Cast Boolits Seems to be like some of the history of US Krags, we can only speculate since the guns can't talk, darn it! Mine do call to me sometimes though, and make me buy bullet molds. The place to ask about your barrel proof mark is here: Krag rifles of Norway, Denmark U.S.A.

[butlersrangers]

m4a3sherman: That is a mighty nice 1912 Norwegian carbine you acquired. What is the condition of the bore? In regard to the small swatstika marking on the barrel, I believe that it is a Norwegian marking and identifies the barrel subcontractor. This seems to be a common marking unrelated to the Nazi Occupation of Norway. In regard to factory loads, a good number of contributors to the Krag Collectors Association Forum have reported using factory ammo without signs of excess pressure. If you need a brass base, you could always disassemble factory loads, discard the powder, and reload with an acceptable starting load of a powder you prefer.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Outstanding and unusual find. Nice pictures as well.

[m4a3sherman]

@butlersrangers, The bore is very very nice and shiny! I have shot some of the practice ammo/gallery loads of swedish 6.5 through it just to make sure it works and even that groups very well at about 50 yards. I had also considered doing that with some Prvi Partizan 6.5, and it might be what I end up with but Sht_le will be getting back into reloading soon and he has a ton of brass and since the plan is actually that we will end up being roomates soon enough, this summer might bring some reloading experience to me. It will certainly bring lots of mad milsurping!

[butlersrangers]

m4a3sherman: Exceptional Model 1912 carbine -- all matching #s & excellent bore! I am happy for your success. The Krag Collectors Association forum had a response yesterday from a Norwegian, "mussonor", (collector and Norwegian Krag authority). The question concerned the small swastika with numbers on a sporterized Norwegian Krag. Mussonor's answer was that it was an old Norwegian marking identifying a barrel subcontractor, way before the Nazi use of the swatstika.

[m4a3sherman]

I figured the swastika had nothing to do with the Nazis since it wasn't in the waffenamp style but its always good to know for sure! Well cool; is there any way to know if the barrel is the original to the rifle? The number match so if it was changed it would have been done in an arsenal. Also, is there a way to know if a rifle made its way into service during the second world war? Were all krags used under the Nazis marked as such or only certain ones?

[butlersrangers]

m4a3sherman: I'd suggest you join (free) and post some pictures and your questions on the Krag Collectors Association Forum. Lots of Krag enthusiasts, including Scandinavians, will see it. There are also photos viewable on the KCA site some of which are Norwegian and Danish Krags. By the way, what is the year stamped on your 1912's Receiver Ring? I imagine it is likely your 1912 still has its original barrel.

[m4a3sherman]

It's dated 1915, and I think the barrel is original considering the comparable condition of the finish but one can't be too sure.