Norwegian Guns 'N Gear

koldt

koldt

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
127   0   1
Location
XMU Local 5.56
There aren't too many complete military Norwegian Krag rifles in this country. Or anywhere for that matter. Unfortunately most were "sporterized" with the wood chopped.
After some loooonggg searches, I found these. Both obviously in 6.5X55.

1. 1894 Long Krag.
2. 1912/16 Krag Carbine.
Oh ya, and a 1914, 11.25mm pistol.

Like most other obsessive collectors I had to find the proper slings, bayonets, muzzle covers, tools, etc etc.
I also like finding the accoutrements of mostly the leather, but because I wanted something dealing with my heritage, I completed a WW2 infantry soldier's uniform, the hard way, piece by piece. I've got some other stuff but I need a couple other mannequins. They are getting harder to find, without spending a lot of money.

The binoculars are pre-war German Hensoldt manufacture, but have "Der Norske Haer" stamped, indicating "For Norwegian Army".

I took a little "poetic license" in that I haven't found any war time photo that shows any soldier had both a rifle magazine pouch and the holster with 3 mag pistol pouch on the same belt. All the photos I found show only a grunt with the 2 rifle pouches, or an NCO/Officer with the pistol holster and mags.

If anyone has any "old, ratty, smelly, dirty" Norwegian kit they don't want around the house any more, please give me a shout.:D

Their war only lasted 6 weeks, but they did try, with what little military they had.
 
Last edited:
Wonderful display Koldt. And I can relate to the obsessiveness of collecting and creating a heritage display. I'm going through this phase myself.
 
I have a 1912 Norwegian Krag that has the wood chopped, but is otherwise unmolested-very accurate and smooth rifle! I am amazed at your collection, incredible!!
 
NavyShooter said:
Koldt....nicely done.

Made us all jealous again!
Click to expand...
I finally got some battery adapters for the PRC25&77 radios. They actually work. So me and the 7 year old tax deduction, were playing "fire mission" for the last couple of days.:D

I really need to thin the herd some, and focus on just a couple of areas or better yet, just one. There's no end to stuff if ya let it get away. This Norwegian stuff is the only real uniform area that I collect, other than webbing and leather.
 
Some very cool info and pics on the Norwegian Army 1930-40 here:

http://m55q.########.ca/2010/02/and-now-for-something-completely.html

Does anyone have any good color pictures of uniforms worn Post WW2 by the Norwegian Army? I have an M35 Stahlhelm and 1940 K98 that are Norwegian refurbed which I wish to add a uniform display to. Cheers!

PS: Great display Koldt!! :) Amazing!


Also: Norwegian Chicks are HOT! (Thank the Lord I married one!!!) :D

3143372185_931814ceb6.jpg
 
Desert_Fox said:
Some very cool info and pics on the Norwegian Army 1930-40 here:

http://m55q.########.ca/2010/02/and-now-for-something-completely.html

Does anyone have any good color pictures of uniforms worn Post WW2 by the Norwegian Army? I have an M35 Stahlhelm and 1940 K98 that are Norwegian refurbed which I wish to add a uniform display to. Cheers!

PS: Great display Koldt!! :) Amazing!


Also: Norwegian Chicks are HOT! (Thank the Lord I married one!!!) :D
Click to expand...
I grabbed those colour drawings a while back for my collection as well.

The Norwegians, like many other countries, still utilized what they had for many years after 1945.

I've got another half mannequin with a post war Military/Civilian police set up. I'll post it tonight maybe if I have time.
Also have the long gaberdine, wool trench coat, with the black leather belt, holster set. I heard the black was post war, and possibly Naval, but I can't confirm yet.
 
koldt said:
I grabbed those colour drawings a while back for my collection as well.

The Norwegians, like many other countries, still utilized what they had for many years after 1945.

I've got another half mannequin with a post war Military/Civilian police set up. I'll post it tonight maybe if I have time.
Also have the long gaberdine, wool trench coat, with the black leather belt, holster set. I heard the black was post war, and possibly Naval, but I can't confirm yet.
Click to expand...

Awesome! I would love that! :)

I heard they used the captured German Stahlhelms until 1959? Mine is an original German M35 with original German liner and original WW2 German paint, but overpainted Nazi decals and replaced with Norwegian Royal Decals.

The K98 is a mint all matching 1940 Mauser Oberndorf made rifle, of course with a new 30-06 Norge barrel, and mismatched sight... but otherwise ALL German WW2 matching.. :redface:

I cannot seem to find any really good pics of Post War Norwegian soldiers with Stahlhelms and K98's. It seems like they use a modified British WW2 type wool uniform, and used the standard German WW2 leather triple ammo pouches for the K98 too.

The Norwegians used the K98's, MG34's, MP40's for sure post war and converted many of the K98's to 30-06 (though not all). They even had some G43's, but the conversion to 30-06 didn't work well. They eventually were given US aid in the form of the M1 Garands etc, hence the caliber change to 30-06 in the K98's to standardize with the Western Allies.

I believe some Norwegian Police depts. still used the 8mm K98's until recently.

I would love to collect some Pre War and wartime Norwegian gear and Krags (non sporterized) if they weren't so scarce and EXPENSIVE... :(
 
Desert_Fox said:
Awesome! I would love that! :)

I heard they used the captured German Stahlhelms until 1959? Mine is an original German M35 with original German liner and original WW2 German paint, but overpainted Nazi decals and replaced with Norwegian Royal Decals.

The K98 is a mint all matching 1940 Mauser Oberndorf made rifle, of course with a new 30-06 Norge barrel, and mismatched sight... but otherwise ALL German WW2 matching.. :redface:

I cannot seem to find any really good pics of Post War Norwegian soldiers with Stahlhelms and K98's. It seems like they use a modified British WW2 type wool uniform, and used the standard German WW2 leather triple ammo pouches for the K98 too.

The Norwegians used the K98's, MG34's, MP40's for sure post war and converted many of the K98's to 30-06 (though not all). They even had some G43's, but the conversion to 30-06 didn't work well. They eventually were given US aid in the form of the M1 Garands etc, hence the caliber change to 30-06 in the K98's to standardize with the Western Allies.

I believe some Norwegian Police depts. still used the 8mm K98's until recently.

I would love to collect some Pre War and wartime Norwegian gear and Krags (non sporterized) if they weren't so scarce and EXPENSIVE... :(
Click to expand...

They used a lot of British wool battle dress, during and after WWII. I didn't pick up one of the Brit helmets with Norsk decal many times, and now that I want one, can't find one. They are around, I just have to be patient.

They used what ever they could get their mitts on, much like other nations have done forever. The Israelis were experts on using battlefield pick ups.
 
Here is the police uniform. It is the military summer tunic. You can notice the lack of front pockets of this coat as compared to the more common tunic in the first pic. The leather has the side clip for the baton lanyard, and the holster is for the 1914 (Norwegian 1911). There is also the Norwegian royal lion in the middle of the belt buckle. This uniform was used just as the war was ending when the Germans surrendered, and into the settling of the military presence after the war.
As mentioned, there was a variety of uses for the uniforms of the day, and utilized for whatever was needed at the time.
The arm bands would have been sewn at the time. Yes, the piping on the sleeves and collar of both tunics are a pinkish colour. I'm thinking originally they were reder, but have faded with age. At least that's what I hope it is:redface:. They used to be vikings after all.

Both tunics have the army unit numbers in which they were issued, stamped on the inside.

On the head is the Norwegian helmet, which was similar to the Swede, except doesn't have the 3 crowns. The gas mask is also Norwegian, with an unused filter.
 
Last edited:
Desert_Fox said:
I heard they used the captured German Stahlhelms until 1959? Mine is an original German M35 with original German liner and original WW2 German paint, but overpainted Nazi decals and replaced with Norwegian Royal Decals.
Click to expand...

Here's one that I think fits the bill. A pretty crude job, just a slap of OD paint on each side (presumably to cover the double decals) and then the Norwegian decal on top. Unfortunately at some stage someone tried to remove the Norwegian decal.

I've wondered if it would be possible to gently remove the OD paint and reveal the original decals underneath? For the record, if the Norwegian decal hadn't already been defaced at some stage I'd happily leave things as is.

DSC00456.jpg


DSC00458.jpg


DSC00455.jpg


DSC00453.jpg


DSC00450.jpg


DSC00451.jpg


DSC00452.jpg
 
Last edited:
The original decals were pretty flimsy, and easily removed/flaked off. Especially now with age, I think you'd have a hard time removing the paint, while trying to retain the decals. You wouldn't hurt your M40 by trying though.
 
koldt said:
The original decals were pretty flimsy, and easily removed/flaked off. Especially now with age, I think you'd have a hard time removing the paint, while trying to retain the decals. You wouldn't hurt your M40 by trying though.
Click to expand...

Thanks, that's good advice.

I may work on the overpaint gently at some point and see how that goes, and I'll leave the Norwegian decal alone for the time being.

I posted on another forum and was told that there will be no decals underneath at all as the Norwegians sandblasted the helmets before applying decals, but that begs the question...why the slap of OD paint then?

On a side note, my 7-year old son is over the moon about the helmet, and wore it much of the weekend around the house. :)
 
koldt said:
Here is the police uniform. It is the military summer tunic. You can notice the lack of front pockets of this coat as compared to the more common tunic in the first pic. The leather has the side clip for the baton lanyard, and the holster is for the 1914 (Norwegian 1911). There is also the Norwegian royal lion in the middle of the belt buckle. This uniform was used just as the war was ending when the Germans surrendered, and into the settling of the military presence after the war.
As mentioned, there was a variety of uses for the uniforms of the day, and utilized for whatever was needed at the time.
The arm bands would have been sewn at the time. Yes, the piping on the sleeves and collar of both tunics are a pinkish colour. I'm thinking originally they were reder, but have faded with age. At least that's what I hope it is:redface:. They used to be vikings after all.

Both tunics have the army unit numbers in which they were issued, stamped on the inside.

On the head is the Norwegian helmet, which was similar to the Swede, except doesn't have the 3 crowns. The gas mask is also Norwegian, with an unused filter.
Click to expand...

I believe it could have originally been pink...

The German Panzerjäger (Anti Tank Troops) and other Panzer (Armored) troops used pink piping on their Tunics and Caps.

Not sure why pink was chosen? Maybe "Schneller" Heinz was a bit of a Pansy?? :D :p

VERY cool display! Again! Thanks for sharing! :)
 
Capt.Canuck said:
Thanks, that's good advice.

I may work on the overpaint gently at some point and see how that goes, and I'll leave the Norwegian decal alone for the time being.

I posted on another forum and was told that there will be no decals underneath at all as the Norwegians sandblasted the helmets before applying decals, but that begs the question...why the slap of OD paint then?

On a side note, my 7-year old son is over the moon about the helmet, and wore it much of the weekend around the house. :)
Click to expand...

It was my understanding that the paint covered where the decals could be so that new ones could be applied?? I have heard of some guys removing the paint and decals to expose the Nazi ones underneath... but anything could be true I guess? Perhaps the decals wouldn't adhere properly to the sandblasted portion of the helmet without an application of new paint?
 
Desert_Fox said:
It was my understanding that the paint covered where the decals could be so that new ones could be applied?? I have heard of some guys removing the paint and decals to expose the Nazi ones underneath... but anything could be true I guess? Perhaps the decals wouldn't adhere properly to the sandblasted portion of the helmet without an application of new paint?
Click to expand...

Good point, that's quite plausible.

P.S, sorry for the semi-threadjack!
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom