Norwegian Krag Markings

501 Views 32 Replies 8 Participants Last post by butlersrangers, 9 d ago

Navy87Guy

Discussion Starter · 13 d ago

I just received my first Krag last night: a Norwegian M1912/16. As usual with any MILSURP, I am breaking it down and examining all the markings.

Is there a good reference somewhere on the Norwegian markings? Google isn’t turning up anything…certainly no handy sites like for Mosin Nagants.

Any pointers to some good marking references would be appreciated!

Thanks!!

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Navy87Guy

Discussion Starter · #2 · 13 d ago

Here are a couple of photos of my new acquisition!

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mnmkeller

· #3 · 13 d ago

Wowsers..mine is sporterized...so that's what it should look like...very nice!

Baltimoreed

· #4 · 13 d ago

Very nice. Looking for one myself.

Robo22

· #5 · 13 d ago

These might be promising:

Me and Karl's Krag Book - Krag Collectors Association Forum

BO0620 The Krag Rifle Story 2nd Edition Book

This is the 2nd edition by Franklin B. Mallory with Ludwig Olson. Completely updated and greatly expanded, The Krag Rifle Story, first published in 1979, combines historical and technical aspects of the Krag rifle in a highly interesting manner. The book deals with each model and variation of...

www.dixiegunworks.com

I need to do some research myself, thanks for the push!

butlersrangers

· #6 · 13 d ago (Edited)

If you post clear photos of the markings in question, you will get help and explanations.

A copy of Brophy's book, "The Krag Rifle" is a helpful reference on the Norwegian Krag models.
Sigurd Halverson wrote the chapter on Norwegian Krags. (It is in English).
If you shop ebay you may find a used copy of the Brophy book for under $100.

Egil Hanevik's awesome work on Krag rifles is written in Norwegian.

(BTW - The small swastika stamp on some Norwegian rifle barrels was a symbol for a Norwegian steel supplier. It predates the use of this symbol by German Nazis).

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Navy87Guy

Discussion Starter · #7 · 12 d ago

butlersrangers said:
If you post clear photos of the markings in question, you will get help and explanations.

I don’t think they’re anything “exotic”, I just didn’t have a source for Norwegian markings.

Here are two on top of the receiver: K under Crown and 7 (in shield) under crown:

(The software isn't letting me post two pictures - I don't know why. The 7 under Crown is on the left side of the receiver.)

There are also two F under Crown on the top and bottom of the barrel (I don't feel like taking the rifle apart again right now for photos).

Thanks!

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butlersrangers

· #8 · 12 d ago

The Crown with the "K" is the symbol for items made at the Kongsberg Vapenfabrikk (Arms Factory).
The other marks you mention sound like inspection stamps, proofs, or civilian ownership marks.
The 'year stamp' denotes the year it was built, (not a model number).

Navy87Guy

Discussion Starter · #9 · 12 d ago

@butlersrangers - Thanks! Kongsberg makes sense. It’s an M1912/16 with the appropriate reinforcing band on the front cap.

Here’s the other photo it wouldn’t let me post before.

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Snow Dog

· #10 · 12 d ago

Nice looking example of a Carbine! The best source of info on Norwegian Krags is the Kongsberg Weapons History Association Kongsberg Våpenhstoriske Forening You can use Google to translate to site into English. Lots of info, details, pictures etc of most arms the Kongberg factory made. You can check the serial numbers of your rifle to see how many were made, if it was made for military use or for civilian sale etc. Like I said - lots of info to be found on that site.

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Navy87Guy

Discussion Starter · #11 · 12 d ago

@Snow Dog - Thanks for the link! It’s a military rifle in the middle of the production. The serial number tracks with 1916. None of my other marks were listed, but they’re probably inspectors and acceptance marks. Overall, there aren’t very many on it compared to my Mosin Nagants.

butlersrangers

· #12 · 12 d ago

Some markings are explained by searching the link provided by 'Snow Dog'.

The King Monogram - "H7" for King Haakon the 7th.

The OP's barrel likely has the small 'swastika' Control Mark that appears related to pressure testing or proofing.

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Navy87Guy

Discussion Starter · #13 · 11 d ago

@butlersrangers - I’ll have to take it apart again (not the easiest thing!) and look — but I didn’t see the swastika on first examination. The rifle is relatively devoid of marks compared to Mosins or Mausers!

Navy87Guy

Discussion Starter · #14 · 11 d ago

So I was mistaken. I had written down "Marks?" but couldn't decipher them. It is the swastika with a 2 on the right and 15 below. The swastika and the 2 are double-struck, which is why I was having a hard time figuring them out. Once I knew what to look for, it became more obvious. There's a character to the left of the swastika -- it could be an E.

So does that make the barrel proof date Feb 2015?

While I had it apart, I took some shots of the F under Crown marks. One on the left side (just below the wood of the stock) and one in the channel on the bottom of the barrel.

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butlersrangers

· #15 · 11 d ago (Edited)

I am not knowledgeable about the exact meaning of your barrel's (small swastika) 'Control Mark'.
The '15' is possibly for 1915. It is likely either a steel lot ID or a pressure test (proof mark).

To the left of your receiver-ring's 1916 date is a crown over a stylized H & number 7. This is for King Haakon the 7th, (who reigned 1905 to 1957).

(My interest is U.S. made Krag-Jorgensen rifles and carbines. I do not speak or read Norwegian.
I am sure Norwegian Krag specialists can 'throw more light', regarding your M-1912 Karabin markings).

The Crown over the F (with an N below) is possibly a Nitro Proof.
The Crown over the F in the 'barrel wrench-slot' is likely an inspector verifying that the slot and barrel-threads were correctly 'timed' and located.

BTW - U.S. Krags have numerous inspection 'hieroglyphics' that no one living, now fully understands!
Norwegian 'markings' seem more rational.

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staffy

· #16 · 10 d ago

Have found the Norwegian Armed Forces Museum to be very helpful with enquiries on Scandinavian arms.
They kindly helped with a Kammerlader 1846/55 enquiry and put me onto the Swedish Museum re a Jarman fm 1878/9.
Mr Hanevik was also involved indirectly.

norsk

· #17 · 10 d ago

The top photo that is being misidentified as a " swastika" is inspector Hakon Finne's final inspection mark. The second and third pictures show the crown over " F" which are his proof marks after pressure testing.

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Navy87Guy

Discussion Starter · #18 · 10 d ago

norsk said:
The top photo that is being misidentified as a " swastika" is inspector Hakon Finne's final inspection mark. The second and third pictures show the crown over " F" which are his proof marks after pressure testing.

Thank you. The final inspection mark is being referred to as a swastika because that’s what it is. It has no connection to the Nazi usurpation of the symbol in the 1930’s - but the swastika (or hooked cross in many cultures) is an enduring symbol. It’s a shame that one group was able to spoil its meaning.

butlersrangers

· #19 · 10 d ago (Edited)

'Norsk' - Do the numerals in Hakon Finne's 'final inspection mark' indicate a date?

What is the Norwegian name for the 'geometric twisted-cross symbol' contained in Hakon Finne's inspection mark?

(That symbol when used in the artwork of India and in Native American pottery and beadwork is commonly called a "swastika".
This 'good symbol' greatly predates the unfortunate modification, adoption, and perversion by German National Socialists - Nazis).

Before WW2 (1920s and 1930s), 'Swastikas' was a relatively common name for Canadian (Girl and Boy) Youth Hockey Teams.
British Author, Rudyard Kipling, used the 'good luck' (swastika) symbol in a monogram on the title-pages of his published works.

It is important that people realize that often this historic symbol has nothing to do with Nazis.

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norsk

· #20 · 10 d ago

butlersrangers said:
'Norsk' - Do the numerals in Hakon Finne's 'final inspection mark' indicate a date?

What is the Norwegian name for the 'geometric twisted-cross symbol' contained in Hakon Finne's inspection mark?

(That symbol when used in the artwork of India and in Native American pottery and beadwork is commonly called a "swastika".
This 'good symbol' greatly predates the unfortunate modification, adoption, and perversion by German National Socialists - Nazis).

Before WW2 (1920s and 1930s), 'Swastikas' was a relatively common name for Canadian (Girl and Boy) Youth Hockey Teams.
British Author, Rudyard Kipling, used the 'good luck' (swastika) symbol in a monogram on the title-pages of his published works.

It is important that people realize that often this historic symbol has nothing to do with Nazis.

Good God.

The "Swastika" are the miniaturized letters HF ,Haakon Finnes initials.He probably inspected the most Guns because he was the inspector at the hight of the factories output.

The date is stamped on the Carbine in question,any letters denote a certain machining or fitting process completed.

His stamp does not specify any date. .

Good reference material is crucial,invest in some.

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