Original Item. Only One Available. This is a very interesting Norwegian Jaeger Rifle, which like many weapons in Scandinavian Service, went through a long service life involving various conversions as firearms technology advanced. It began life as a Model 1774 Jaeger Rifle in Flintlock, fitted with an early Doglock type safety on the hammer. Like many firearms in Norwegian service it was then converted circa 1841 to percussion. The lock now has a true half-cock position, which may have been added during the conversion. It was then further converted after 1851 with the addition of a "pillar breech" to the barrel, intended to push out the bottom of the bullet to engage the rifling. This conversion also involved as adding a saber bayonet lug on the right side of the barrel.

At some point after that, the rifle was either worn or smoothbored out to 0.75", and had the bayonet lug on the right side of the barrel removed, though we can still see the areas on the barrel where it was removed from, and the stock was patched. This is a really a gun that has seen extensive modifications over its service life, and the barrel breech and lock plate are covered with markings spanning close to 70 years, making this a fantastic research opportunity.

The jaeger rifle measures 44" long, with a 28 3/4" octagonal barrel, fitted with a two leaf long range rear sight. It is marked with serial number 452 on the lock plate, rear sight, barrel tang, and on the right side of the barrel. There are additional marks on the lock and cap bolster, such as a CROWN / K, for Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk (Weapons Factory) in Norway, where it was made and possibly converted. This same factory would later manufacture Krag–Jørgensen rifles as well as Norwegian licensed Colt 1911 pistols.

There are additional markings and proofs on the breech area and lock as well, including both the with the "Perron" or Tower of Liège on the right facet and E / L G / * in a "Crowned" oval on the top, indicating inspection in Liège, Belgium. Of interest is that the crown was not added to the Belgian proof mark until 1893, making it the definitive black powder proof. We assume it was re-proved to use as a shotgun, even though by then the era of percussion was long over. There is also an A. S. R. A. No. 22 marking on the left side of the barrel. Really some interesting markings on this gun!

Condition of the gun is very good, with the metalwork showing a worn gray finish on the barrel, overall, with no major oxidation or damage, just some past overall peppering. The wood stock is in good condition with a lovely red brown color, showing wear and some repairs made over the long history of this gun. The left side of the butt stock has a great carved cheek piece, and the right side has a sheet copper patch box, which matches the copper butt plate. We assume these were fabricated replacements made during the 19th century, as these usually had sliding wooden patch boxes. The lock is fully functional, holding at half cock and firing at full, with the dog safety now redundant. It still retains the original cleaning rod with the "cup" on the tip for the pillar breech, and the front sling swivel is present, while the rear is missing.

A very interesting piece of European firearms history, ready to research and display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: circa 1780 - modified several times later
Caliber: 0.75" smoothbore
Cartridge Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 28 3/4 Inches
Overall Length: 44 Inches
Action type: Side action Lock with Dog Safety
Feed System: Muzzle Loading

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History of the Denmark Norway firearms connection:

Denmark basically ruled Norway until 1814 however having taken the side of Napoleon Bonaparte in the Napoleonic wars which came to a temporary close in 1813. In 1814 Denmark was forced to grant Norway independence in 1814. In 1815 Napoleon raised his head again and was finally beaten at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. Had the French won at Waterloo who knows what Scandinavia would look like today.

Norway had tens of thousands of old Danish produced muskets by 1814 - most of these were already at the point becoming obsolete. While Sweden started a huge production of "new and modern" flintlock long-guns in the early 1800's, the Norwegian army kept the Danish muskets for years to come. As better technology came, these old long-guns were gradually converted and modernized into a variety of models. The muskets from between the M1746 and the M1807 were all fairly similar and most of them were converted to one of the following models.

Little work was needed to convert a flintlock to percussion which was done by removing the outer flintlock parts from the lock-plate, inserting a percussion bit on the barrel and a new hammer plus the dog catch. It was a very inexpensive exercise.

Converting from a musket to a pillar breech rifle involved a little more work. The musket to be converted had to be in excellent condition. The screw in the rear of the barrel was exchanged to one with a pillar, the barrel was rifled and new sights mounted. Still, very inexpensive compared to producing a rifle from scratch.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.