{"product_id":"original-norwegian-model-1774-pillar-breech-percussion-converted-jaeger-rifle-by-kongsberg-vapenfabrikk-serial-452","title":"Original Norwegian Model 1774 Pillar Breech Percussion Converted Jaeger Rifle by Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk - Serial 452","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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 \u003cstrong\u003e452\u003c\/strong\u003e 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 \u003cstrong\u003eCROWN \/ K\u003c\/strong\u003e, for \u003cem\u003eKongsberg Våpenfabrikk\u003c\/em\u003e (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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are additional markings and proofs on the breech area and lock as well, including both the with the \u003cstrong\u003e\"Perron\"\u003c\/strong\u003e or \u003cstrong\u003eTower of Liège \u003c\/strong\u003eon the right facet and \u003cstrong\u003eE \/ L G \/ *\u003c\/strong\u003e in a \u003cstrong\u003e\"Crowned\"\u003c\/strong\u003e 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 \u003cstrong\u003eA. S. R. A. No. 22\u003c\/strong\u003e marking on the left side of the barrel. Really some interesting markings on this gun!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCondition 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA very interesting piece of European firearms history, ready to research and display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: circa 1780 - modified several times later\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: 0.75\" smoothbore\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCartridge Type: Cap and Ball\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 28 3\/4 Inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 44 Inches\u003cbr\u003eAction type: Side action Lock with Dog Safety\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: Muzzle Loading\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistory of the Denmark Norway firearms connection:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDenmark 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNorway 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLittle 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConverting 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41747118194757,"sku":"ONJR24APNS081","price":1095.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR24APNS081__01.jpg?v=1718388959","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-norwegian-model-1774-pillar-breech-percussion-converted-jaeger-rifle-by-kongsberg-vapenfabrikk-serial-452","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}