Editing Krag–Jørgensen (section)

== Norwegian Krag–Jørgensen rifles ==
[[File:Krag Jørgensen 1905.jpg|thumb|200px|Norwegian soldiers in position at [[Lier, Norway|Lier]] in 1905, armed with Krag–Jørgensen rifles]]

The Swedish-Norwegian Rifle Commission started its work in 1891. One of their first tasks was to find the best possible calibre for the new weapon. After extensive ballistic tests where different calibres were tested (8&nbsp;mm, 7.5&nbsp;mm, 7&nbsp;mm, 6.5&nbsp;mm etc.), the optimal caliber was determined to be 6.5&nbsp;mm (0.256&nbsp;in). Following this decision, a joint Norwegian-Swedish commission was established in December 1893.<ref name="NMG" /> This commission worked through a series of meetings to decide on the different measurements for the cartridge case. A rimless cartridge case of 55&nbsp;mm length was approved, and each possible measurement (diameter at base, diameter at neck, angle of case, angle of shoulder etc.) was decided upon.<ref name="NMG" /> The corresponding dimensions of the cartridge chamber to be used in a future service rifle was also determined.<ref name="NMG" /> The cartridge became what is later known as 6.5×55mm. The round of ammunition is also known as 6.5×55 Krag, 6.5×55 Scan (Scandinavia), 6.5×55 Mauser, 6.5×55 Swedish, and 6.5×55 Nor (Norwegian), but they all referred to the same cartridge.

Some historians have assumed that there was a difference in cartridge blueprint measurements between Swedish and Norwegian 6.5×55mm ammunition, but this may be unintentional. Due to different interpretations of the blueprint standard, i.e. the standards of manufacturing using maximum chamber in the Krag vs. minimum chamber in the Swedish Mauser, a small percentage of the ammunition produced in Norway proved to be slightly oversize when chambered in the Swedish Mauser action, i.e. requiring a push on the bolt handle to chamber in the Swedish arm. A rumour arose not long after the 6.5×55mm cartridge was adopted that one could use Swedish ammunition in Norwegian rifles, but not Norwegian ammunition in Swedish rifles.<ref name="NMG" /> Some even alleged that this incompatibility was deliberate, to give Norway the tactical advantage of using captured ammunition in a war, while denying the same advantage to the Swedes. However, after the rumour first surfaced in 1900, the issue was examined by the Swedish military. They declared the difference to be insignificant, and that both the Swedish and Norwegian ammunition was within the specified parameters laid down. Despite this finding, the Swedish weapon-historian [[Josef Alm]] repeated the rumour in a book in the 1930s, leading many to believe that there was a significant difference between the ammunition manufactured in Norway and Sweden.<ref name="NMG" /> It is worth noting that Sweden would later adopt a 6.5×55mm rifle with a much stronger Mauser bolt action, the m/94 carbine in 1894 and the m/96 rifle in 1896, both of which were proof-tested with loads generating significantly more pressure than those used to proof the Norwegian Krag action.

Once the question of ammunition was settled, the Norwegians started looking at a modern arm to fire their newly designed cartridge. The processing was modelled on the US Army Ordnance selection process and considered, among other things, sharp-shooting at different ranges, shooting with defective or dirty ammunition, rapidity of shooting, conservation of ammunition, corrosion resistance, and ease of assembly and disassembly. After the test, three rifles were shortlisted:

* [[Mannlicher M1893|Mannlicher 1892]]
* [[Mauser]] 1892
* Krag–Jørgensen 1892

[[File:Krag-Jørgensen, Krag-Petersson, Jarman M1884 and Remington M1867.jpg|thumb|200px|A collection of rifles from the [[Fram Museum]], a civilian Krag–Jørgensen M1894 with a carved stock on top.]]

About fifty Krag–Jørgensen rifles were produced in 1893 and issued to soldiers for field testing. The reports were good, and a few modifications were later incorporated into the design. For example, to prevent [[Double feed|double feed manlfunctions]], the extractor was redesigned to replace [[Push feed and controlled feed|push feed with controlled feed]], and sear leaf spring was replaced by a coil spring.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historic Firearm of the Month, September 2001 |url=http://www.cruffler.com/historic-october01.html |access-date=2024-07-28 |website=www.cruffler.com}}</ref>

Despite the fact that both the Mannlicher and Mauser submissions were significantly faster to reload than the Krag, the latter, having been designed in Norway, was selected. As in the United States, rapidity of fire was deemed to be of lesser importance in an era when current military philosophy still emphasized precise aimed fire and conservation of ammunition. Instead, the magazine was looked upon as a reserve, to be used only when authorized by a commanding officer. The Krag–Jørgensen was formally adopted as the new rifle for the Norwegian Army on April 21, 1894.

A total of more than 215,000 Krag–Jørgensen rifles and carbines were built at the Kongsberg Arms Factory in Norway. 33,500 additional M/1894 rifles were produced at Steyr (Österreichische Waffenfabrik Gesellschaft) in 1896–1897 under contracts for the Norwegian Army (29,000 rifles) and the Civilian Marksmanship Organisation (4,500 rifles). The various subtypes of Krag–Jørgensen replaced all rifles and carbines previously used by the Norwegian armed forces, notably the [[Jarmann M1884]], the [[Krag–Petersson]] and the last of the remaining [[Remington M1867]] and modified [[kammerlader]]s rimfire rifles and carbines.

=== Norwegian-style Krag rifles in Boer service ===
A number of 1896 and 1897 Steyr-manufactured Krag rifles resembling the M1894 Norwegian and chambered in 6.5×55, but lacking some Norwegian inspection markings and having serial numbers outside the sequences of those produced for Norway, were in Boer hands during the [[Second Boer War]] (1899–1902), most have serial numbers below 900. Markings show these rifles were manufactured by Steyr concurrently with a large order of M1894 rifles made for Norway. Some parts of rejected Norwegian rifles may have been used in these weapons—many small parts have serial numbers that do not match receiver numbers, these mismatched small parts sometimes have numbers in ranges of rifles made for Norway, yet appear original to the rifle. Photographs of high-ranking Boer officers holding M1894-like rifles exist. Cartridge casings in 6.5×55 have been found on the Magersfontein battlefield and may have been fired by such M1894-like rifles. Some sources state that about 100 1896-date and at least about 200 1897-date rifles reached the Boers. Some rifles meeting this description exist in South African museums with Boer-war documentation, and in England documented as captured bring-backs. A few rifles having Norwegian inspector stamps and serial numbers in the civilian marksmanship organization serial number range are also known to be in South African museums and may have been used by Boer forces—it is suspected that these may have arrived in South Africa with a small Scandinavian volunteer force that fought for the Boers. A small number of Steyr 1897 M1894-like 6.5×55 rifles with 3-digit serial numbers outside the Norwegian contract ranges and in the same range as these Boer Krags, and lacking Norwegian inspection stamps like the low-numbered 1897 rifles in South African museums, are known to exist in the US—it is not known if these have Boer connections or were initially delivered elsewhere.

=== Subtypes of the Krag–Jørgensen used in Norway ===

[[File:Norwegian K-J M1894 sniper.png|thumb|200px|M1894 with telescopic sight]]
[[File:Krag Jørgensen M1897.jpg|thumb|200px|M1897]]
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Krag Jørgensen M1895 & M1906.jpg|thumb|200px|M1895 (top) and M1906 (bottom)]] -->
[[File:Norwegian K-J M1906.png|thumb|200px|M1906]]
[[File:Norwegian K-J M1912.png|thumb|200px|Unmodified M1912]]

The Krag–Jørgensen was produced in Norway for a very long time, and in a number of different variations. The major military models are the following:

* The ''M1894 rifle'',<ref name="NMG-7">Hanevik, Karl Egil (1998). Norske Militærgeværer etter 1867, chapter 7 (military M1894)</ref><ref name="NMG-8">Hanevik, Karl Egil (1998). Norske Militærgeværer etter 1867, chapter 8 (civilian M1894)</ref><ref name="NMG-9">Hanevik, Karl Egil (1998). Norske Militærgeværer etter 1867, chapter 9 (naval M1894)</ref><ref name="NMG-13">Hanevik, Karl Egil (1998). Norske Militærgeværer etter 1867, chapter 13 (M1894 w/ telescopic sights)</ref> "long Krag", was the most common Krag in Norway. A total of about 122,817 were produced for the Norwegian Army at Kongsberg until 1922 when production ended. An additional 29,000 were bought from [[Steyr]] weapons factory in Austria 1896–1897. In 1910, after some initial tests, 1,000 of the M1894s (serials 89602 to 90601) were fitted with telescopic sights on a specially constructed bracket. Issued five to each company, they were meant to be used against enemy officers and other high-value targets. Since the model was considered to be less than satisfactory, further production was stopped. 3396 M/1894 rifles were produced in a special serial range for the Norwegian Navy. For the civilian market in Norway (competition shooters and hunters), afbout 33,600 M/1894 rifles in a special serial range were made from 1895 to 1940. An additional 4500 M/1894 rifles were procured from Steyr in a special series for the civilian marksmanship organization in 1897 (serials 3001–7500). All in all, the M/1894 is by far the most common model of the Norwegian Krag models.
* The ''M1895 cavalry carbine'' and ''M1897 mountain artillery'' and ''engineer carbine'' differed only in how the sling swivel was fitted to the stock, and were issued in one series. A total of 9,309 were made between 1898 and 1906.<ref name="NMG-11">Hanevik, Karl Egil (1998). Norske Militærgeværer etter 1867, chapter 11</ref>
* The ''M1904 engineer carbine'' and ''M1907 field artillery carbine'' differed from the earlier carbines mainly by being stocked to the muzzle. The difference between the two models was only in the attachment of the sling, and again they were issued as one series. A total of 2,750 M/1904 and 750 M/1907 were produced between 1906 and 1908.<ref name="NMG-11" />
* The ''M1906 Guttekarabin'' (boy's carbine) was a simplified M1895 carbine, with a shortened stock and no hand guard. They were issued to schools in Norway, and used to train boys aged 14 to 17 to shoot. Special "school ammunition" was developed to allow shooting in restricted areas. A total of 3,321 were made, of which some 315 were later modified to fire .22 Long Rifle ammunition. Shooting was on the syllabus for Norwegian teens until World War II.<ref name="NMG-12">Hanevik, Karl Egil (1998). Norske Militærgeværer etter 1867, chapter 12</ref>
* The ''M1912 carbine'' / ''M1912/16 carbine'' / ''M1912/18 carbine'', "short rifle", was made after it became clear that the long barreled M1894 left something to be desired. The M1912 was adopted after experiments with shorter, thicker barrels and different projectiles. It differed from the earlier models by being stocked all the way to the muzzle; the bracket for the bayonet was moved from the barrel to under the stock. The M1912 carbine also featured an improved (strengthened) action which differed from the M/94 action on several points. It was soon clear that the nose band was too weak, which led to the /16 and /18 modifications of the basic design. A total of 30,118 were produced in the military serial number range between 1913 and 1926. It was also decided that any further production would be of this model. About 1592 M1912 were produced in a special serial number range for sale to civilians.<ref name="NMG-14">Hanevik, Karl Egil (1998). Norske Militærgeværer etter 1867, chapter 14</ref>
* The ''M1923 sniper rifle'' was the first attempt to produce a [[sniper rifle]], but it was not solid enough for use in the field. A total of 630 were built between 1923 and 1926, about half of which were sold to civilian sharpshooters. Most were later converted to M1930 or hunting rifles.<ref name="NMG-15">Hanevik, Karl Egil (1998). Norske Militærgeværer etter 1867, chapter 15</ref>
* The ''M1925 sniper rifle'' was an improved version of the M1923 built for the civilian market. A total of 1,900 were made from 1925 to the German invasion on April 9, 1940. A further 250 were built for the Germans during the war, and the last 124 were put together in 1950.<ref name="NMG-16">Hanevik, Karl Egil (1998). Norske Militærgeværer etter 1867, chapter 16</ref>
* The ''M1930 sniper rifle'' was another improvement of the M1923 and M1925, featuring a heavier barrel, a different stock, sights, and a fine tuned trigger. It was a successful weapon, but no more than 466 were built between 1930 and 1939. In 1950 and 1951, an additional 404 M/30 rifles were produced, then with laminated stocks, improved rear (diopter) sights and M/12 actions as the basis. The pre-war M/30 rifles used the M/94 action as the basis.<ref name="NMG-17">Hanevik, Karl Egil (1998). Norske Militærgeværer etter 1867, chapter 17</ref>
In addition, most models were produced for the civilian market as well. After [[World War II]] a limited number of Krag–Jørgensens were made in purely civilian models.

=== Bayonets for Norwegian Krag–Jørgensen ===
The Swedish-Norwegian Rifle Commission only briefly looked into [[bayonet]]s, focusing on selecting the best possible rifle. However, their report<ref name="NMG-22">Hanevik, Karl Egil (1998). Norske Militærgeværer etter 1867, chapter 22</ref> mentions that they have experimented with [[knife bayonet]]s and [[spike bayonet]]s, both in loose forms and in folding forms. Very few of the experimental bayonets are known today.

The bayonet that was finally approved, probably alongside the rifle itself, was a knife bayonet.<ref name="NMG-22" /> Later on, longer bayonets were approved as well, and renewed experiments with spike bayonets took place during the development of the M/1912.

* ''Bayonet M/1894'' was a knife bayonet, with a blade length of 21.5&nbsp;cm, a blade width of 1.9&nbsp;cm and a total length of 33.5&nbsp;cm. The [[scabbard]] was made of steel, hanging from a leather strap, and was 22.7&nbsp;cm long. A total of 101750<ref name="NMG-22" /> was manufactured by Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk, Husqvarna and Steyr.
* ''Bayonet M/1912'' was constructed during the development of the "short rifle" that became the M1912 carbine. It was significantly longer than the M/1894, to maintain the "reach" of the soldier. The total length of the bayonet was 48.5&nbsp;cm, of which 38.5&nbsp;cm was blade. The very long blade proved to be too weak for actual use (it had "double fullers" on each side of the blade), and the Bayonet M/1913 was adopted instead. Most likely less than 50 M/1912 bayonets were produced.<ref name="NMG-22" />
* ''Bayonet M/1913'' was stronger, but heavier (only one "fuller" on each side), than the M/1912 but was of identical size.<ref name="NMG-22" /> However, it soon became clear that the short rifles were too weak in the stock to be used with the very long bayonets, which led to the development of the strengthened M1912/16 and M1912/18 carbines. Production of the M/1913 bayonet was ended in favour of the M/1916 after about 3000 M/1913 bayonets had been manufactured by Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk. The M/1913 bayonets were issued with a leather scabbard.<ref name="NMG-22" />
* ''Bayonet M/1916'' was meant to be used on both the short carbines and the long rifles. Of almost identical size to the previous M/1913, it was stronger and had a sharpened edge along both sides of the blade's point.<ref name="NMG-22" /> The scabbards to the M/1916 were initially made of leather (for M/1912 carbine serials 12159–12178, 13179-16678 og 21479–21678), but were later changed to steel (for M/1912 carbine serials 21679–30118 and M/1894 rifle serials 121000–152000).
* ''Bayonet M/1894/1943'' was a variation of the bayonet M/1894 manufactured during the war for delivery to Nazi Germany. Only 3,300 were manufactured, all of them lower quality than the bayonets delivered before the German invasion.<ref name="NMG-22" />

A number of special bayonets and oddities were experimented with during the time the Krag–Jørgensen was a Norwegian service rifle, two of which are mentioned here.

* The ''officers bayonet'' was an attempt to replace the traditional side arm for officers in [[dress uniform]] with a high quality, decorated M/1916.<ref name="NMG-22" /> The prototype was made in 1928, with two different scabbards (one in black lacquered steel, the other in brown leather), polished blade and the [[Coat of arms of Norway|coat of arms]] inlaid in the handle. The bayonet was never issued, and the prototype is lost.
* The ''bayonet lengthener''' was a special scabbard for the M/1894 with a bayonet mount added.<ref name="NMG-22" /> By mounting the bayonet to the scabard, and the scabbard to the rifle, a total length of 47&nbsp;cm was achieved. It is speculated<ref name="NMG-22" /> that the reason was to achieve the same reach as with the M/1916 without having to scrap the huge quantities of M/1894 in storage. The ''lengthener'' was never issued.