Norwegian 30-06 K98K conversions.

can14 said:
Allen Lever sold many of these in 3006 back in the day here in Canada
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That's where my 7.62x63 came from. I was lucky enough that Allan allowed me to pick through over a hundred rifles for the best of the batch. I know he had more but you can only push a significant favor so far.
 
Lever Arms brought in at least four separate batches of the Norwegian conversions. The first batch were not cheap in comparison to other K98s in the early seventies. None of the rifles I saw were minty but most were in VG or better condition and they had very good bores. They also came with two different finishes. One was the original type blue/black and the other was a gray phosphate finish. The rifles from the first batch were sold out very quickly at the equivalent US prices being advertised. They were being sold in the US through several outlets for appx $70. Back then there was no problem just ordering one and having it delivered. That was right after the Gun Control Act of 1968 when mailing and transporting firearms across State lines became regulated. I never had a problem ordering from Sherwood, Ye Olde Hunter or Golden State Arms. They went through Canadian Customs and if there was a duty charge it was minimal. This created a relatively low price, especially for surplus firearms. International Firearms in Montreal was one of the biggest milsurp warehouses/distributors in North America at the time and that also helped keep prices within reach for most Canadians.

Anyway one nice surprise with the Norwegian K98 conversions was that the best ones came in last. Some of the later rifles priced in the $250+ range were perfect specimens with new barrels and fully FTRed with mostly matching numbers.

If you managed to get one of the last batch, your rifle is likely in EXC or at least it was when you purchased it.
 
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My 1938 Norwegian S/243 K98k refinished by myself. It's a KAL 7.62mm, HAER 16911 conv.

Reblued some metal but most work was done by stripping the stock of old surplus smell, crap and rough finish.

Stock has been re-stained with Tung oil with a lite non gloss satin coat. Makes it look more desirable, yes?

Sling is a 1943 repro and buttstock ammo pouch is useful in my books if you plan on using this set-up in the bush.
 
So from my understanding the conversion that we see that are Norwegian 7.62 NATO were actually done post surplusing. The HV had orginally planed to convert these to 7.62 NATO, and had gone as far as to have the new barrels manufactured for the new conversions. But then the HV and the HAER decided everyone was going to get the AG3 instead. The government sold them off as surplus, a dealer bought them all and then had the Norwegian K98's rebarrled with these new barrels as it was easier to sell them in a caliber to purchase. The last Norwegian Military K98 were removed from active service in 1995-6 from the HV cadet corps.
 
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