Another Norwegian Krag

[Sunshineboys]

I am looking at another cut down Krag. It appears to be a rifle, not a carbine. It has this rear sight. Can someone identify it? Is this one of the rear sights which is more desirable? Also, what would the screw hole in front of the rear sight be for? Is it something original to the rifle or a bubba hole? Receiver marked 1916. I believe it has a four digit serial number which I cannot read. Dave
I may be answering my own questions here. The extra hole may be where the rear sight should be mounted and not at the back where it is? I am comparing to my carbine and wonder if that is the case?

IMG_0822.jpeg (62.48 KiB) Viewed 9995 times

[butlersrangers]

It looks like a model 1912 Karabin sight. The threaded barrel hole is original.
A 'post' screws into that hole and serves as a 'rest', for when the sight-leaf is folded forward, into the 'battle-sight position.

Both faces of the sight-leaf are used.

[Sunshineboys]

Thanks for the reply. I wonder how difficult it would be to find that post for the hole in the barrel? I also see that the butt plate is missing. Such is the life of a Norwegian Krag in Canada. I have been in contact with the seller and am waiting for a reply. Dave

[butlersrangers]

The 'post' is very easy to duplicate.

Simply try some small metric screws until you get a good thread fit.
Shorten the threaded-end of the screw, so the threads are all contained in the hole.
The smooth 'shank' of the screw serves as the 'pillar'.

Cut off the head of the screw and file the screw shank, to adjust its height.
The finished height can be approximated, by filing down the post, until the leaf rests 'level', in the forward position.

On an original m-1912 Karabin, the 'sight-post' goes through a hole in the rear-handguard and projects slightly above the wood.

BTW - The model 1912 Karabin barrel is 24.04 inches long.
A special spanner could adjust the 'windage' of the rear-sight blade.

In 1916, the Norwegian Karabin m-1912 serial numbers ranged from approximately 8,752 to 16,678.

[Sunshineboys]

Well, I bought it. Price was right. I will be checking it once received to see if the original military butt plate will fit. If so I will be looking for one. Rifle appears to be in fine condition other than the shortened stock. I will report here with photos when it arrives. I do, as always, appreciate the help I get here. Dave

[Bernt]

The post is for the "emergency" sight setting in case a soldier should get hold of the old ammo. The rear sight is calibrated for the 139 grain spitzer boattail bullet adopted by the military in 1925. The old bullet was a 156 grain roundnose. The trajectories of the two cartridges meet at 500 meters, so that's the setting you get if you fold the sight forwards.

[Sunshineboys]

I just received the rifle in the mail. The bluing is almost perfect. Typically the stock is cut back….sling swivels added and the front sight is obviously a replacement. From the quality of the work and the condition of the rifle, including a sharp and shiny bore, it may have been professionally done. The stock has beautiful grain and is a quality piece of walnut. Barrel and receiver are marked 9753 while the bolt and all parts of the bolt are marked .612. The butt plate is missing. I will definitely be trying to find a replacement butt plate. The barrel has spiral tooling marks which I think are probably normal as all of the barrel would have been hidden under the original stock. Barrel is 23.25”. I will attach some photos and ask for those with knowledge to chime in.

IMG_0829.jpeg (93.67 KiB) Viewed 9792 times

IMG_0837.jpeg (69.76 KiB) Viewed 9792 times

IMG_0838.jpeg (91.38 KiB) Viewed 9792 times

IMG_0836.jpeg (60.94 KiB) Viewed 9786 times

IMG_0832.jpeg (109.75 KiB) Viewed 9792 times

[butlersrangers]

You might want to enjoy your Norwegian M-1912, as is.
Restoration will be challenging with the rarity and expense of parts, the mismatched bolt, and altered front-sight.

Attached are some pirated photos, showing various model 1912 karabin features.
(Also, an approach to making a rear-sight adjusting tool).

It will be interesting to see a report on how this altered Krag performs.

[butlersrangers]

More 'borrowed' internet photos of m-1912 features.

[Sunshineboys]

Thanks for the informative replies and photos. For now I will leave it as is. I would like to have a side view close-up of an original front sight with the front band removed. I also see that Bubba had taken about 1/2” off of the butt so an original plate will not work. I did fire a couple rounds through it for function and it was perfect. Rifling is sharp, deep and shiny so I expect it will be a good shooter. I have been looking into replacement stocks but will take my time as the stocks are about three times what I paid for the rifle. Stock is numbered 4796 on the inside and it appears as if a previous owner has added some accraglass to bed the action. I also notice a hole in the rear of the spring that the sight works with. Should there be a screw in there? Dave