Krag w/ 1944 nazi stamping

K

KRASHED

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Had this rifle handed down to me from my grandfather. I believe it may have been sporterized but I'm not sure to what extent and if I can reverse some of it

Wondering what the value/ rarity of this rifle if it is indeed relatively unique.

Poor quality photos but hopefully you get the idea
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Also it was stored in a dry closet for pretty much the last 65 years. Other than what appears to be some darkening on the butt plate of the stock the rifle is in excellent condition for it's age.
 
Only issue with these rifles was the quality was lower than your average Krag because the Norwegians really resented the Germans invading them (they would purposely make subpar rifles).
 
Eaglelord17 said:
Only issue with these rifles was the quality was lower than your average Krag because the Norwegians really resented the Germans invading them (they would purposely make subpar rifles).
Click to expand...

I think that adds a bit of mystique to the rifle and I'm glad ive found that fact out. Despite being sporterized it is still a prized possession.

Does it appear that the barrel was cut short? Does anyone know what the length should be?
 
It actually looks pretty close to the proper length from photos I have seen. I think it should measure 24" but that is only what Wikipedia says (only did a quick google search). The Nazi versions had shorter barrels as they tried to make them more like the K98k function wise. Your bayonet lug has been removed though as has the sight hood
 
Hi

Your rifle would have looked like this: http://www.kvf.no/vaapen.php?type=Rifle&weaponid=RIF0265
Says here that the barrel length is 613 mm.
The Kongsberg factory museum also have one of these in 8x57IS wich was dated 1944. The theory is that the germans were planing to start production of these Krags in 8mm, but it was very late in the war.

A lot of these short rifles were put together of random parts and older rifles. There's Steyr Krags (originally made in 1896 - 97) with the original years ground of, and stamped with 1943 - 44 dates. I read an article once, in an american surplus magazine were the author states that during the late stages of WW2 the Steyr factory started to produce Krags again because they had been seen with ww2 dates:)
 
The rifle may not been sporterized. That could either a artillery or engineers carbine. A lot of people think that they have been sporterized, but in fact many of them were made like that. See link below. There other resources out there.

http://milpas.cc/rifles/ZFiles/Unit...Rifle Models/Krag-Jorgensen Rifle Models.html

An interesting fact is that the Krag rifle is the reason the Spanish-American war went the way it did. They ended up being manufactured by Springfield Armory, so although they weren't original Krags, they still did the job very well. I was in Cuba a few months ago, and we went to a museum where several captured Krags were on display.

In 1941 or 1942, when the Germans basically captured all the Nordic countries, The Nazis made the Krag company manufacture rifles for the Germans and that's how they ended up with nazi marking on them. As mentioned below, the Norweigans weren't too happy about being invaded and deliberately sabotaged their own product. Lots of sloppy bolts out there on Nazi era krags. I had a pre 1900 one and it was tight as a drum.
 
The barrel measures at 21-1/4" (measured from receiver to muzzle)

I believe that the stock is the original one but it has been cut.

Very cool information on this, thanks to everyone for their input!



Just out of curiosity, is there any way to have a gun-smith make or install the time period correct front sight and bayonet lug?
 
Forgotten Weapons says the Germans received about 3000 rifles in three serial number sequences NA, NB and NC between 1943 and 1944.
 
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