Kongsberg M1951 Elgrifle

Kongsberg Vaapenfabrikk · Rifle · Discontinued · 1951

Also known as: Kongsberg M/51 Elgrifle, M51 Krag-Jorgensen Elgrifle, Kongsberg Moose Rifle

Overview

The Kongsberg M1951 Elgrifle is a Norwegian bolt-action hunting rifle built by Kongsberg Vaapenfabrikk on the Krag-Jorgensen action, chambered in 7.92x57mm Mauser and intended for moose (elg) hunting. It refined the earlier M1948 model by removing the wood from atop the barrel, fitting a new hunting rear sight, and replacing the flat bolt handle with a rounded one. Only about 1,000 were produced during 1950-1951, making it one of the last Krag-Jorgensen rifles ever manufactured.

Specifications

Weight (empty)4080 g (143.9 oz)
Barrel Length584 mm (22.99")
Action TypeBolt Action
Firing MechanismStriker Fired
Trigger TypeSingle Stage
Magazine Capacity5 rounds
Magazine TypeInternal
Effective Range200 m (219 yd)
Barrel RiflingRight Hand
Number of Grooves4
Frame MaterialSteel
Barrel MaterialSteel
Stock MaterialWalnut
FinishBlued

Calibers

Features

Variants

Service history

Operators

Production

Estimated total produced: 1,000 · Production years: 1950-1951

Civil production; roughly 1,000 units built, among the last Krag-Jorgensen rifles ever made

Origin

Country of origin: Norway

Designer: Ole Herman Johannes Krag / Erik Jorgensen

Notes

Kongsberg found the standard 7.92x57mm service load ran too hot for the single-locking-lug Krag-Jorgensen action, so Norma developed a 7.92x57 'moderat' load about 10% weaker for use in these rifles.

Background

The M1951 Elgrifle is often called 'the last Krag' - a civilian moose rifle that carried the 60-year-old Krag-Jorgensen side-loading bolt action into the 1950s, long after most nations had retired the design from military service.