Book on Norwegian Krag rifles/carbines ?

[Nabs]

Hello CGN,

I am curious if anyone knows of a good reference book for the Norwegian krag series of rifles and carbines ? I am thinking along the lines of the Swedish mauser book "Crown Jewel", which has been an exciting read with my 1899 CG M96 beside me, with pictures, close ups, and information.

I am interested in learning more about the Krag and, with more information and reference photos, being able to restore my 1912 Krag carbine to complete military configuration one day in the near future.

Google has provided some worth reading results but not to the level of detail I am looking for.

Thank you for any leads .

 

[machman]

I recall reading about one, but it was in (of course) Norwegian. Take a look at the Krag Collectors Association website...Mostly concerned with U.S. Krag rifles but the postings on Norwegian Krags are worth seeking out. Lots of discussion about whether or not 6.5 Swede is safe to shoot in a N.K.(apparently not).Numrich Gun Parts has some N.Krag parts on their website. Best of luck!

 

[Nabs]

Thanks for the information. Most of the websites I run into deal with the U.S. Krag but I have been able to find a few snippits that talk about the Norwegian krags.

Numrich does have parts but not the muzzle nose cap that is a distinguishing feature of these carbines. I was also hoping for a possible stock set but no luck so I will be exploring the possibilty of restoring the one on this Krag.

I don't plan on using commercial ammo in the Krag so I am going to hand load for her.

I will say this, the Krag has one smooth bolt!

 

[smellie]

I don't understand the bit about Swedish ammo being unsafe in a Norski Krag.

The three Scandinavian countries had an agreement to use the SAME ammunition, starting with the original 8x58R. The idea was for the three countries to support each other in the event that any one of them were to be attacked.

Think of it as a Viking version of NATO. The longships would be put into the water, the ritual sacrifices to Njord would be made, battle-axes would be sharpened, skalds would be drafted to witness so they could make up poems, the dragon-posts would be raised..... and the Madsens and the Krags and the Mausers would be loaded from whatever ammo crate happened to be open at the time.

But Paul Mauser had developed a new 6.5 cartridge, one which was clearly so superior to the already-old (1889) 8x58R that it made little sense to stick with an already-outmoded cartridge. So Norway went ahead and adopted the Krag...... in 6.5mm, which interchanged nicely with the Swedish 6.5s for their Mausers.

I have some Norwegian 6.5x55 ammo here, made in Oslo specifically for the Krags used by the Norwegian sealing-fleet. It is loaded with a soft-point version of the old 156-grain RN slug. Sounds like time to put a fresh battery in the old Chrony.

I'll be back.
.

 

[green]

"The Krag Rifle" Brophy, and "The Krag Rifle Story" Mallory and Olson have chapters on the Norwegian Krags.
As to the use of 6.5 Swedish ammo in the Krag Norway and Sweden were one country when this ctg was adopted.

 

[machman]

Everyone with a Norwegian Krag should do their due diligence and research for themselves if they want to shoot 6.5x55 Swede in their Norwegian Krag. Here's a quote from the KCA forum from an actual Norwegian Krag owner...
"The krag was designed for a 3500 bar load, however later recommended to max 3300bar. Modern ammo is loaded from ca 2500 bar(6,5g bullet @ 800ms) to 3800 bar (9g bullet @850ms). you should never fire a 3800 bar load in a krag"
Apparently in Norway Krag owners can purchase ammo called "6.5x55 Krag" that is about a 20% lighter load then "Swede". Check it out for yourselves...there are plenty of arguments about this subject on other surplus rifle forums...enough to put you in a cold seat as you load your rifle

 

[Nabs]

Thank you for the book recommendations . I plan on handloading for my Krag as I just got some brass and some bullets. All I have to do now is get my favourite powder and I am off to the range.