What type of Krag do I have?

[KragNewbieFL]

I have acquired a Krag from my uncle. I have been looking to see what I have. I think it is Norwegian, but I am not sure. Any help would be appreciated.
On the top of the action it says Steyr 1897E
Forward of the rear sight on the barrel is Westley Richards & Co. London.
The number 221 is stamped on the barrel, action and the lever arm. Does that make this a "numbers matching" gun?
Under the rear sight it is stamped FOR 256 KRAG JORGENSEN CARTRIDGE.
There are also numerous stamps on the rear of the barrel that I can only assume to be inspection marks. Some of them are: NP- Nitroproved
A "V" under a crown. This is why I think it is Norwegian.
6.5 mm. I know this has to do with the round size.
There are 2 more that I can not identify.

[KragNewbieFL]

Having trouble resizing the pictures. If you hit the link they are easier to see.

[KragNewbieFL]

Resized pictures

[madsenshooter]

It's a Steyr-made Norwegian Krag that somehow got to Britain, where it had to be proofed. So, it has a lot of British marks. .256 was the designation the British used for 6.5mm. So it's 6.5 Krag aka 6.5x55. Westley Richards was very famous British gunmaker. They may even have some records that will give you more info. https://www.westleyrichards.com/ I have read that the Norwegians consider the later Steyr receivers as the strongest. 1897 was the last year Steyr made them.

[butlersrangers]

'KragNewbieFL' - Welcome to the KCA Forum.

It is possible this Steyr made Krag, #221, got to Great Britain as a War Trophy from the Boer - South African War (1899-1902).

Some Norwegian model 1894 Steyr marked Krags got on the World Market and were sold to the South Africa Republic (ZAR). They were in 6.5 X 55mm (Swedish Mauser) caliber and saw use in the 'Boer War'. Some sources indicate about 300 Steyr Krags went to the ZAR. Serial numbers were three digits and below #900. These rifles lacked Norwegian markings and proofs.

If brought into Britain, it would have required British Proofing. It sounds like this one was made into a Sporter by a famous British gun maker.

Better, smaller photos of this interesting Krag would be appreciated. It sounds like you have a 'rare bird'.


Photos of Boer General Tobias Smuts with his Krag: