Krag-Jørgensen

The Krag-Jørgensen is a rifle with bolt designed by the Norwegians Hermann ole Johannes Krag and Erik Jørgensen, creators of several rifles at the end of the 19th century. What particularly distinguishes Krag-Jørgensen from the weapons which are contemporary for him is its store. With the difference of other rifles of its time, the store of Krag-Jørgensen was not a part with share. On the contrary, this one belonged to the box of cylinder head of rifle, comprising an opening assembled on the right-sided, and an articulated closing. The cartridges had passed in the side opening, then inserted in the store by means of a Ressort.

This mechanism has advantages and disadvantages with respect to the standard stores. It is in particular impossible to charge Krag-Jørgensen by means of a Chargeur. Indeed, although certain modifications made possible the loading in once of the rifle, the normal mode of recharging was of a cartridge at the same time. On another side, contrary to other rifles with loading by the top, Krag-Jørgensen could be reloaded without opening the cylinder head. The relative complexity of manufacture of this store is in the beginning, according to some, of the relatively restricted number of armies which were equipped with Krag-Jørgensen.

Today, Krag-Jørgensen is a popular rifle near the collectors, and is appreciated by the gunners for its flexible handling.

History

The Années 1880 were one interesting period as for the development of the modern firearms. During this decade the powder without smoke was largely spread, and the Caliber of various rifles of service narrows. Several nations adopted repeating rifles with small gauge during this period.

Although the Norway adopted rifle Jarmann in 1884, it was soon clear that it was as well as possible a temporary weapon. Krag Ole, captain in the army Norwegian and directing of Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk (manufactures of weapons of the government), thus continued the development of small weapons as it already did it since at least 1866. Not very satisfied with the tubular store with Jarmann rifle and its predecessor, Krag-Petersson, it enlists then the Master arms manufacturer Erik Jørgensen. Together they developed the store capsule . The principal device of this store being that instead of being projecting in lower part of the gun, this one surrounded the cylinder head. The first models contained ten blows, and were especially adapted to the modified versions of Jarmann - although it could be adapted to any other rifle with bolt.

In 1886, the Denmark was about to adopt a new rifle for its armed forces. One of the first prototypes of the new rifle was sent to Denmark. The Feedback given by the Danes was essential in the later development of the weapon. The tests carried out in Denmark made it possible to note that rifle had to be reduced. Krag and Jørgensen thus decided to transform the store into what they called the “half-capsule”. Containing five blows instead of ten before. They also reflect in place a certain number of their own ideas, like those of other arms manufacturers, in order to design a very new model of bolt for their rifle. The long extractor, inspired of the Jarmann mechanism, was located on the top of rifle, whereas the Mauser inspired the curved surfaces used for the expulsion of the Douille S. Shortly after that the Arme was adopted by the Danish army, they tested a version having two tenons of locking with the front one. However, this last version was abandoned in order to gain weight and to reduce the costs. Indeed, the bolt had three fasteners already, which was more than enough for the Munition S of the time.

All the rifles built until the Second world war also comprised a mechanism of stop, in order to allow the use of rifle step by step.

Danish Krag-Jørgensen rifles

After hard tests, the rifle of Krag-Jørgensen was adopted by the Denmark on July 3rd 1889. Danish rifle was characterized by several aspects important from the weapons adopted by after with the the United States and in Norway, in particular by the use of a door of store articulated forwards (towards the back for the other versions), the use of cartridges with pad and an external steel covering for the gun. concerning the Danish alternatives of Krag, one can distinguish the following models at least all the same:

the Rifle 1889 , did not have of hand-shield, but well of a right handle of bolt, and a gun covered with Acier. This rifle is typical time, in the sense that it presents a long gun as well as a stick adapted to the shoulder, without handle. It was initially manufactured without dog, a notch making the deal. In 1910, it to him was added a manual safety, placed on the left side of the box of cylinder head, just behind the closed ATS arming lever.
the Rifle of artillery 1889 and the Rifle of infantry 1889 , were characterized only by the placement from the fasteners from shoulder-belts, and resembled a shortened version of the Fusil 1889
the Carabine of the Genius M1889 had a stick out of wooden and were shorter than the other rifles.
the Fusil of precision M1928 is an alternative of M1889 presenting a heavier gun and a stick out of wooden.

American Krag-Jørgensen rifles

As much of other nations, the the United States also sought a new rifle in order to equip their Armed forces towards 1890. A competition took place in 1892, comparing the rifles produced by Lee, Krag, Mannlicher, Mauser, Schmidt-Rubin, and approximately 40 others weapons of civil and military design. The tests took place on the island of the Governors, in the State of New York. In spite of the protests of the inventors and arms factories American (two originators, Russell and Livermore, went even until continuing the government of the USA in justice), a form improved of Krag-Jørgensen gained the contract. Rifle was officially adopted by the United States in 1892 to replace the Springfield with simple blow. Approximately 500 000 Krags were produced by the arsenal of Springfield in the Massachusetts between 1894 and 1904. It was the principal rifle of the American army of 1894 to 1903, when it was replaced by Springfield M1903 which had cartridge balistiquement similar of type .30-03. Krag-Jørgensen was used during the wars Spanish-American and philippino-American.

The American Krags were equipped for the cartouches Krag .30-40. Those were the first cartridges without smoke adopted by the army of the United States. These cartridges of 7,62mm were propelled by powder 40g.

Models of Krag-Jørgensen used in the United States

There existed at least nine models different of Krag-Jørgensen used in the United States:

the M1892 Files , equipped with a gun of 762 mm and a cut store functioning in driving position. It is characterized by the stem from cleaning in lower part from the gun.
the M1892 Carbine is probably a prototype, because only one specimen is known. It is distinguished only from the M1892 Rifle by its gun of 22 inches instead of 30.
the M1896 Rifle profits from an improved back test card, and a precision increased thanks to more strict tolerances. The stick is also slightly thickened.
the M1896 Cadet Files was equipped with a stem of cleaning like the M1892 Rifle . Only approximately 400 specimens were produced.
the M1896 Carbine , rifle presenting the same modifications as the M1896 Files .
the M1898 Rifle is primarily the M1896 Rifle improved of some technical innovations.
the M1898 Carbine , rifle having very the improvements as the M1898 Files .
the M1899 Carbine , practically the same one as the M1898 Carbine , but presenting a stick slightly longer, and not of fastener of shoulder-belt.
the M1899 Constabulary carbine was built specifically for the Filipino . Primarily a M1899 Carbine having of a lengthened stick, a fixing for a bayonet, and adaptations in order to allow the placement of this one.

Norwegian Krag-Jørgensen rifles

The Suédo-Norwegian Commission in charge of the attribution of the markets relating to rifles for the Swedish armies and Norwegian was born in 1891. One of its first tasks was to find the best gauge for the future weapon. This one was fixed at 6,5 Misters C' is most common Krag in Norway. A total of 122.817 were produced at Kongsberg until 1922 dates to which the production was stopped. In addition to those, 30.000 specimens had been manufactured and delivered by the arms manufacturer Steyr (Austria). In 1910, after some preliminary tests, 1000 M1984 were equipped with telescopic sight tubes, assembled on a special support. Five were delivered to each company, with an aim specifically of using them against the enemy officers. As the model does not provide the anticipated results, the production was stopped.

the Rifle of cavalry M1895 and Rifle of artillery of mountain and the genius M1897 differed only in the mode from fixing from the shoulder-belt to the stick, and were produced only in only one series. A total of 9.309 units were manufactured of 1898 to 1906.
the Carabine of the genius M1904 and Carabine of field artillery M1907 was distinguished particularly from the first because the entirety of its mechanism was embedded in the wood of the stick, and this to the mouth. The difference between the two models lay only in the attachment of the belt. Like the precedents, these models were manufactured only in only one series. A total of 3.500 specimens was produced between 1906 and 1908.
the M1906 Guttekarabin is a simplified rifle M1895 , with a shortened stick and any guard. They were delivered to the schools Norwegian, and used to train boys from 14 to 17 years with the shooting. “School ammunition” special were developed to allow the practice of the shooting in sectors or that was prohibited. A total of 3.321 units were manufactured, of which 315 were modified by afterwards adapting to the gauge .22 Long Riffles. The shooting was with the program of the Norwegian teenagers until the Second world war.
the M1912 - M1912/16 - M1912/18 " rifle court" was produced because the M1894 left something to be desired something clearly. The M1912 was adopted after tests, was equipped with a shorter and thicker barrel, as well as different cartridges. It was distinguished from the preceding models because the entirety of its mechanism was embedded in the wood of the stick, and this to the mouth; fixing for the bayonet moved barrel with the bottom of the stick. A total of 30.118 M1912 were produced between 1913 and 1926. It was also decided that any later production would be of this model.
the Fusil of precision M1923 was the first attempt to produce a rifle of precision, but it proved too fragile for the use on the ground. A total of 630 rifles were built between 1923 and 1926, of which the half was sold with civil marksmen. They were converted later into M1930 or shotguns.
the Fusil of precision M1925 is basically a version improved of M1923, produced for the civil market. A total of 1.900 units were produced as from 1925 until the German invasion of Norway, the 9 April 1940. 250 additional specimens were produced for the Germans during the war, and the last 124 specimens were assembled in 1950.
the Fusil of precision M1930 is another improvement of the M1923 , having of a heavier barrel, a different stick and a test card, as well as modified trigger. It was an effective weapon, but it was produced only with 466 specimens of 1930 to 1939.

Moreover, the majority of the military models were also produced for the civil market. After the war, a limited number of Krag-Jørgensen was still produced, but only with the fine civil ones.

Production for the Nazi Germany during the second world war

During the German occupation of Norway, the German forces required that Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk build weapons for the forces Nazis. Great quantities of Krag-Jørgensen, of Colt M1914 , and anti-aircraft guns of 40 mm were ordered. However, the production was maintained on a level much lower than the real capacities of the factory, thanks to the work of sabotage and with the voluntary underproduction posted by the workmen. Of the 13.450 rifles ordered by the Germans, only between 3350 and 3800 were actually delivered.

At the beginning, the ordered model was the M1894 standard , but this one was quickly modified to resemble of advantage the German Kar98k. Experiments concerning of the ammunition of 7,92 mm also took place.

Information concerning the use of Krag-Jørgensen by the Wehrmacht being difficult to find, one can only try to guess employment that it made some. However, one can suppose that those were intended for the troops of second line, because Wehrmacht endeavoured to feed its troops of first lines with standard gauges. Some were delivered to Hird, the section armed with the Nasjonal Samling (NS) (National union), the party national-Socialist of the Puppet government of Vidkun Quisling. The tests undertaken with ammunition of gauge 7.92 reinforce the assumption affirming that German considered a broader use of Krag-Jørgensen.

Production of post-war period

Some Krag-Jørgensen rifles were still assembled after 1945, with like single market the civil gunners and the hunters. Even if there were no question of re-equipping the Norwegian army of Krag-Jørgensen, some attempts were undertaken in order to adapt it to more modern ammunition, such as the 7,62 X 51 mm NATO and the .30-06. Although that it is proven possible, to adapt Krag amounted from a financial point of view building a weapon of more modern design. Consequently, the production of Krag-Jørgensen was definitively stopped in 1952, with the stop of the model m/1952 Elk-riffle , whose 470 specimens were sold during the Fifties.

Rifles and Krag-Jørgensen rifles special and prototype

Krag-Jørgensen was produced during more than 60 years in Norway. During this period, a certain prototype number of S was manufactured. Some of them were intended to support the production, or to answer a quite specific request. There were also several attempts aiming at improving the Firepower of the weapon.

Model rifles

Model rifles were used as well when the various models were approved, that to be used as model during manufacture. The model consisted primarily of a separately manufactured weapon, and which indicated to what the weapon concerned was to resemble. Those were numbered and stored separately. Several models were manufactured, following minor changes in the surface quality of rifle, or other small modifications. In particular, a great number of model rifles of the M1894 were assembled, following the sending at Staur of several of them to be used as models of control.

Harpoon guns

A few units were transformed into rifles with Harpon S, with the image of what was made with the Jarmann M1884. One realized that the conversion of this last was less expensive than that of Krag-Jørgensen, the modification of this one was then stopped. One is unaware of the number of specimen of this type produced on the whole.

Krag-Jørgensen rifles modified for the food by band

One can find in the museum of the Factory of Kongsberg Weapons a prototype of M1894 modified for the food by band. Although no documentation was found on this subject, it is clear that this prototype was modified with an aim of being fed in the same way that the heavy machine gun Hotchkiss which was used by the Norwegian army at the time.

The movements of return ticket of the bolt actuated a mechanism which made it possible the band to advance through limps of cylinder head, charging the weapon with a news cartridge. Although this system can be interesting at the time of a combat of position, or a seat, to transport a long band of ammunition was not very practical at the time of the combat of movement. Nevertheless, it is an early and original attempt at improvement of the firepower of Krag-Jørgensen.

The “charger” of lieutenant Tobiensen

In 1923, lieutenant Tobiensen, employed by the Factory of Kongsberg weapons, developed what it called a “charger for repeating rifle”. One can regard this evolution as an attempt at improvement of the firepower of Krag, with the image of the prototype with food by band. The concept consisted at the beginning of the adaptation top of the cylinder head, in order to make it possible to fix a store at it machine-gun Madsen. Rifle had a selector, which made it possible the user to choose between the internal store of Krag, containing 5 cartridges, or that external, containing to 25 ammunition.

The concept seeming rather promising, 8 prototypes were assembled and tested. However, the tests made it possible to note that the new charger not only weighed down rifle, and the handling obstructed some, but also which it slightly off-set the weapon on the side. Regarding the “charger” as misfit with the military use, the production stopped there.

In 1926, a group of hunters of seals approached the Factory of Kongsberg weapons, wishing to acquire of some Krag provided chargers, in order to drive out the Phoque since small boats. The order however was not accepted, being given the high cost related to the manufacture of such weapons in limited quantity.

Krag-Jørgensen semi-automatic

At the same time with the introduction of the heavy machine gun Hotchkiss within the Norwegian army, some started to plan the adaptation of Krag-Jørgensen in order to make a semi-automatic rifle of it. Such a modification would have multiplied the firepower of the Infanterie, and, by doing this, would have allowed the concentration of more a great power of fire on the same target. However, the majority of the models suggested were not very well thought, and none the originators concerned knew each other there sufficiently as regards firearm to determine the pressure and dimensions necessary to such a mechanism. Despite everything, two concepts were studied more before and a prototype was finally built.

Automatic rifle Sunngaard

Proposed in 1915 by the Sunngaard sergeant, this model of semi-automatic rifle was considered during a certain time, before being declared inapt for the service. Primary reason of this rejection being that the pressure necessary could not be reached without major modifications of Krag-Jørgensen. Consequently, no prototype of this concept were assembled.

Semi-automatic rifle SNABB 38

In 1938, a Swedish concept drew the attention of the manufacturers of Krag. The SNABB was a modification which authorized does not matter that it arms with food by band adapted to the concept to be transformed into semi-automatic rifle, thus allowing economies compared to the manufacture of a new weapon. The mechanism used gas under pressure in order to make function the ATS arming lever using a slide. The required adaptations seemed, at first sight, rather complicated: a separate stick was necessary, and of the important modifications of limps of cylinder head were essential.

A prototype all the same was built and tested in autumn 1938. In spite of an effectiveness about in conformity with waitings, the cost of the modifications bordered triple of the amount initially envisaged, and the project was abandoned.

Ammunition

The various models of Krag-Jørgensen were built in order to adapt to a great number of different Caliber S. In addition to various gauges intended for the civil market, the following ammunition of service were used with Krag-Jørgensen:

8x Danish 58R, a cartridge with pad of 7,87 Misters the first cartridges had a long round nose, weighing 15,3 Grams (236 grains), and were charged so as to produce a speed with the mouth with 580 m/s, whereas later versions of cartridges spitzer of 12,8 grams (198 grains) produced a speed with the mouth of 823 m/s.
US 30-40, a cartridge with pad of 7,62 mm charged with 40 grains (3 grams) with powder without smoke. This one produced a pressure of 276 MPa, which resulted in a speed with the mouth of 609 m/s for rifles, and of 597 m/s for the rifles, the difference being due to the shorter gun in these last.
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