Krag-Jorgensen M1906 Guttekarabin

Kongsberg Vaapenfabrikk · Carbine · Discontinued · 1906

Also known as: Guttekarabin M/1906, M/1906 Boy's Carbine, Norwegian Krag M1906

Overview

The Krag-Jorgensen M1906 Guttekarabin ("boy's carbine") is a Norwegian bolt-action training carbine built on the Krag-Jorgensen action at Kongsberg Vaapenfabrikk. Essentially a simplified M1895 carbine with a shortened stock and no handguard, it was issued to Norwegian schools to teach boys aged roughly 14 to 17 to shoot, firing the 6.5x55mm cartridge with special reduced-power training loads so it could be used safely on restricted ranges. It retains the Krag's hallmark side-loading horizontal box magazine and single-action bolt. About 3,321 were made, and roughly 315 were later rebarreled or converted to fire cheaper .22 Long Rifle rimfire ammunition for training.

Specifications

Weight (empty)3375 g (119.0 oz)
Overall Length986 mm (38.82")
Barrel Length520 mm (20.47")
Action TypeBolt Action
Firing MechanismStriker Fired
Trigger TypeSingle Action
Magazine Capacity5 rounds
Magazine TypeInternal
Barrel RiflingRight Hand
Rifling Twist200 mm (7.87")
Number of Grooves4
Frame MaterialSteel
Barrel MaterialSteel
Stock MaterialWalnut
FinishBlued

Calibers

Features

Service history

Operators

Production

Estimated total produced: 3,321 · Production years: 1906-1911

Approximately 3,321 built at Kongsberg Vaapenfabrikk as school training carbines; about 315 later converted to .22 Long Rifle.

Origin

Country of origin: Norway

Designer: Ole Herman Johannes Krag and Erik Jorgensen

Discontinued: 1911

Notes

Total production was approximately 3,321 carbines. The 6.5x55mm examples used specially loaded reduced-charge training ammunition rather than full-power service loads. Around 315 were later modified to .22 Long Rifle for lower-cost, safer marksmanship practice.

Background

The Guttekarabin was part of a Norwegian national program to teach schoolboys marksmanship, issuing genuine Krag carbines to schools and firing reduced-power ammunition so teenagers could safely practice on restricted ranges before the era of universal conscription.