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 1821 Jaeger Rifle in Flintlock with an 18mm bore, 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 does now have 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.

The jaeger rifle measures 44 1/4" long, with a 28 3/4" rifled octagonal barrel, fitted with a two leaf long range rear sight. It is marked with serial number 47 on the lock plate, rear sight, barrel tang, right side of the barrel, and on the right side of the stock. 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 later 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.

Condition of the Rifle is very good, with the metalwork showing a lovely blued finish on the barrel, while the lock still is mostly bright steel. The wood stock is in good condition with a lovely red brown color, though there is some damage and missing wood near the muzzle. The left side of the butt stock has a great carved cheek piece, and the right side has the traditional wooden sliding patch box cover. It does look like the patch box dovetail area was adjusted / repaired in the past, which can only be seen when it is removed. Both sling swivels are present, as well as the cleaning rod, and the lock is fully functional.

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

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: circa 1830
Caliber: about 18mm rifled
Cartridge Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 28 3/4 Inches
Overall Length: 44 1/4 Inches
Action type: Side action Lock with Dog Safety
Feed System: Muzzle Loading

NOTE: 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.

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.