Kongsberg M67
Norwegian sharpshooter rifle based on Mauser M98k actions.
The Kongsberg M67 is a bolt-action sharpshooter rifle produced by Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk (now Kongsberg Small Arms) of Norway. It is based on actions from Mauser M98k rifles left by German armed forces in 1945. The M67 replaced the M59 in 1967 and was produced until the 1990s. It is sometimes unofficially referred to as Mauser M67, though neither the M59 nor the M67 were licensed products of Mauser.
Quick Facts
- Is Ranged
- yes
- Origin
- Norway
- Designer
- Kongsberg Small Arms
- Design Date
- 1967
- Cartridge
- 7.62×51mm NATO, 6.5×55mm, .22LR
- Action
- Bolt action
- Velocity
- 860-880 m/s
- Range
- 800 m
- Weight
- 6.4 kg
- Part Length
- 700 mm barrel
- Feed
- 5-round magazine
- Sights
- Target aperture sight
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Kongsberg M67 was developed as a replacement for the M59, entering production in 1967 and continuing until the 1990s. Most parts were made from former Mauser M98 rifles, fitted with a heavy target barrel, a new oversize target stock, Busk target front and rear peep sight with 0.1 mrad adjustments (1 cm at 100 meters), and a rubber recoil pad. Early rifles used military M98K triggers, but from 1975 they received an adjustable trigger (M75). From 1990, the rifles had an adjustable UIT target stock.
Before the SIG Sauer 200 STR was approved for Scandinavian target shooting, the M67 and the Krag–Jørgensen were the most popular target rifles in Norway. Due to the Krag's propensity to change its point of impact under wet conditions, many shooters preferred to use the Krag for shooting on covered ranges and the M67 for field shooting. The .22 LR version had a switched barrel, no magazine (single-shot), and a modified bolt for rimfire ammunition, with the magazine follower and spring removed.
Reader's Guide
The Kongsberg M67 holds significance as a dedicated sharpshooter rifle that served Norwegian military and civilian target shooters for decades. Its use of surplus Mauser M98k actions from World War II allowed Kongsberg to produce a cost-effective yet accurate rifle. The M67 became a popular choice for field shooting, complementing the Krag–Jørgensen which was preferred on covered ranges due to the Krag's sensitivity to wet conditions. The rifle's adjustable trigger (from 1975) and later UIT target stock (from 1990) reflected evolving target shooting standards. The availability in .22 LR for recruit-class shooters extended its utility. Though sometimes unofficially called Mauser M67, it was not a licensed Mauser product. The M67 was eventually succeeded by the Våpensmia NM149 as a Norwegian sniper rifle, but its long production run and role in Scandinavian target shooting cement its legacy as a notable Norwegian firearm.
Did You Know?
- The M67 is sometimes unofficially referred to as Mauser M67, but it was not a licensed Mauser product.
- The .22 LR version had no magazine and was a single-shot rifle.
- From 1975, the M67 was fitted with an adjustable trigger (M75).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Kongsberg M67?
It is a Norwegian bolt-action sharpshooter rifle built by Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk (now Kongsberg Small Arms). It entered service in 1967 to replace the M59 and stayed in production into the 1990s.
What calibers is the Kongsberg M67 chambered in?
The M67 was offered in 7.62×51 (.308 Winchester), 6.5×55 Mauser/Skan, and .22 LR. At roughly 6,400 grams, it pairs a Busk target front sight with a diopter rear peep sight adjustable in 0.1 mrad steps.
Where did the Kongsberg M67's bolt action come from?
The action is built around Mauser M98k mechanisms that German troops left behind in Norway when the war ended in 1945. Kongsberg repurposed those captured actions as the mechanical core of its own sharpshooter platform.
Why do people sometimes call it a 'Mauser M67'?
That informal label is a nod to the M98k action heritage, but it is not an official designation. Neither the M59 nor the M67 was ever a licensed Mauser product, so the 'Mauser' tag is purely colloquial.
What military role was the Kongsberg M67 designed for?
It served as a dedicated sharpshooter rifle rather than a standard-issue infantry weapon. Its precision-oriented features—target front sight, fine 0.1 mrad diopter adjustments, and multiple calibers including .22 LR for training—reflect that specialized marksmanship role.
More in Bolt-Action Rifles, Part 4 1-24
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