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Another Norwegian Krag
Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2023 10:59 am
by 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?
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Re: Another Norwegian Krag
Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2023 12:28 pm
by 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.
Re: Another Norwegian Krag
Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2023 12:53 pm
by 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
Re: Another Norwegian Krag
Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2023 3:17 pm
by 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.
Re: Another Norwegian Krag
Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2023 3:37 pm
by 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
Re: Another Norwegian Krag
Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2023 6:11 pm
by 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.
Re: Another Norwegian Krag
Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2023 5:07 pm
by Sunshineboys
Re: Another Norwegian Krag
Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2023 8:31 pm
by 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.
Re: Another Norwegian Krag
Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2023 8:55 pm
by butlersrangers
More 'borrowed' internet photos of m-1912 features.
Re: Another Norwegian Krag
Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2023 9:55 am
by 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