Våpensmia NM149

Lore & Background

The NM149 was developed to replace the Kongsberg M59F1 in the Norwegian Army. Its actions were sourced from Mauser Karabiner 98k rifles left behind by German forces in Norway after World War II. The rifle features a laminated beech veneer stock that is pillar bedded and adjustable for length of pull via a spacer system. Early versions experienced stock cracking, but that problem was later solved. The barrel is a German made cold-hammered barrel with 4 grooves and right hand twist, of heavy contour, and the system shoots very well.

The standard telescopic sight for Norwegian military and police is a Schmidt & Bender 6×42, and the rifles were given the serial numbers of that sight to make a matching pair. The scope rings are basically NATO standard and can be removed and replaced with rings allowing the mounting of other Western telescopic sights, or replaced entirely with a mount for most NATO-compatible night vision devices. A bipod and suppressor can be fitted as needed.

An improved model, the NM149-F1, was later developed and produced. It has a better and stronger laminated and weatherproofed beech stock, and an American heavy contour barrel (diameter 21mm) with a permanent front sight and a flash suppressor from the AG-3 service rifle. The NM149-F1 stock is not pillar bedded, making it somewhat more susceptible to weather changes.

Reader's Guide

The Våpensmia NM149 served as the standard sniper rifle of the Norwegian Army from 1988 to 2013, replacing the Kongsberg M59F1. Its design leveraged surplus Mauser 98k actions from World War II, combining them with a modern cold-hammered barrel and a laminated stock. The rifle was noted for its accuracy and the ability to mount various optics and night vision devices via NATO-standard scope rings. The factory trigger pull weight of 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) and the match quality trigger contributed to its effectiveness. The NM149 was used by both Norwegian military and police forces. It was eventually replaced in service by the Heckler & Koch HK417. An improved variant, the NM149-F1, was later produced with a stronger stock and a different barrel, though it lacked pillar bedding. The rifle's legacy is tied to its use of historic Mauser actions and its service in a modern military context.

Did You Know?

• The NM149 is based on Mauser M98 actions from Karabiner 98k rifles left by German forces in Norway at the end of World War II.
• The rifles were given the serial numbers of their Schmidt & Bender 6×42 telescopic sight to make a matching pair.
• Early versions of the NM149 had a problem with the stock cracking, which was later solved.
• The improved NM149-F1 model uses an American heavy contour barrel with a diameter of 21mm.