Krag–Jørgensen
The Krag–Jørgensen is a repeating bolt-action rifle designed by the Norwegians Ole Herman Johannes Krag and Erik Jørgensen in the late 19th century. It was adopted as a standard arm by Norway, Denmark, and the United States. About 300 were delivered to Boer forces of the South African Republic.
| Krag–Jørgensen | |
|---|---|
Krag–Jørgensen, Norway. Prototype m/1892 | |
| Type | Bolt-action rifle |
| Place of origin | Norway |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1889–1945 |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Ole Herman Johannes Krag and Erik Jørgensen |
| Designed | 1885–1889 |
| Manufacturer | Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk |
| Produced | 1886–1945 |
| No. built | +748,500 |
| Variants | Danish Krags:
|
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 3.375 kg / 7.5 lb to 5.157 kg / 11.46 lb depending on model |
| Length | 986 mm / 38.8 in to 1328 mm / 52.28 in depending on model |
| Barrel length | 520 mm / 20.5 in to 832 mm / 32.78 in depending on model |
| Cartridge | |
| Action | Bolt action |
| Rate of fire | 21.5-30/RPM by skilled user |
| Muzzle velocity | 580 m/s (1900 ft/s) to 870 m/s (2860ft/s) depending on ammunition |
| Effective firing range | 900 m (980 yd) |
| Feed system | 5-round magazine +1 in chamber |
| Sights | V-notch and front post |
A distinctive feature of the Krag–Jørgensen action is its magazine. While many other rifles of its era use an integral box magazine loaded by a charger or stripper clip, the magazine of the Krag–Jørgensen is integral with the receiver (the part of the rifle that houses the operating parts), featuring an opening on the right hand side with a hinged cover. Instead of a charger, single cartridges are inserted through the side opening, and are pushed up, around, and into the action by a spring follower. Later, similar to a charger, a claw type clip would be made for the Krag that allowed the magazine to be loaded all at once, also known as the Krag "speedloader magazine".
The design presents both advantages and disadvantages compared with a top-loading "box" magazine. Normal loading was one cartridge at a time, and this could be done more easily with a Krag than a rifle with a "box" magazine. In fact, several cartridges can be dumped into the opened magazine of a Krag at once with no need for careful placement, and when shutting the magazine-door the cartridges are forced to line up correctly inside the magazine. The design was also easy to "top off", and unlike most top-loading magazines, the Krag–Jørgensen's magazine could be topped up without opening the rifle's bolt. The Krag–Jørgensen is a popular rifle among collectors, and is valued by shooters for its smooth action.