Krag-Jorgensen M1889
Gevaerfabriken Kjobenhavn · Rifle · Out Of Production · 1889
Also known as: Gevaer M/89, M/89, Danish Krag, Krag-Jorgensen Gevaer M/89
Overview
The Krag-Jorgensen M1889 is a Danish bolt-action service rifle adopted by the Royal Danish Army on 3 July 1889 to replace the Model 1867 Remington rolling block. Chambered in the 8x58mmR rimmed cartridge, it introduced smokeless powder to Danish service and is distinguished by its unique horizontal box magazine that is loaded through a side gate, a smooth single-lug bolt action, and a full-length barrel jacket. It remained the standard Danish infantry rifle through the German invasion of Denmark in 1940.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4300 g (151.7 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1320 mm (51.97") |
| Barrel Length | 750 mm (29.53") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Muzzle Velocity | 580 m/s (1903 fps) |
| Effective Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 8x58mmR Danish Krag · primary — also known as 8mm Danish Krag, 8x58R Krag-Jorgensen, Patron M/89
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Internal Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Horizontal Box Magazine, Side Loading Gate, Single Locking Lug, Magazine Cutoff, Barrel Jacket
Variants
- Krag-Jorgensen M1889/24 - Carbine
Service history
Operators
- Royal Danish Army · adopted 1889 · as Gevaer M/89
- Danish Resistance
Conflicts
- World War II (1940)
Production
Production years: 1889-1921
Produced primarily at Gevaerfabriken Kjobenhavn; remained in Danish service until 1940
Origin
Country of origin: Denmark
Designer: Ole Herman Johannes Krag, Erik Jorgensen
Discontinued: 1921
Notes
Manufactured at Gevaerfabriken Kjobenhavn (Copenhagen Arms Factory), with early production also supplied by Steyr in Austria. The original M/89 round was a round-nosed bullet at roughly 580 m/s; the later M/89/08 pointed (spitzer) load substantially increased velocity. The barrel jacket was a distinctive Danish feature later removed on the M1889/10 modification.
Background
The Krag-Jorgensen action was the first of the Krag designs to enter service anywhere in the world, beating its better-known American and Norwegian successors. Its inventors, Danish artillery captain Ole Krag and gunsmith Erik Jorgensen, gave their name to a rifle family later adopted by the United States and Norway.