Krag–Jørgensen
Norwegian-designed bolt-action rifle with side-loading magazine.
The Krag–Jørgensen is a repeating bolt-action rifle designed by Norwegians Ole Herman Johannes Krag and Erik Jørgensen in the late 19th century. It was adopted as a standard arm by Norway, Denmark, and the United States, and about 300 were delivered to Boer forces of the South African Republic. Its distinctive magazine, which loads from the side rather than from the top, set it apart from many contemporary rifles.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Norway
- Designer
- Ole Herman Johannes Krag and Erik Jørgensen
- Design Date
- 1885–1889
- Manufacturer
- Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk
- Production Date
- 1886–1945
- Service
- 1889–1945
- Cartridge
- .30-40 Krag / 6.5×55mm / 8×58mmR Danish Krag
- Action
- Bolt action
- Rate
- 21.5-30/RPM by skilled user
- Velocity
- 580 m/s (1900 ft/s) to 870 m/s (2860ft/s) depending on ammunition
- Range
- 900 m
- Weight
- 3.375 kg / 7.5 lb to 5.157 kg / 11.46 lb depending on model
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Ole Krag, a captain in the Norwegian Army and director of Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk, had been developing small arms since at least 1866. Unsatisfied with the tubular magazine of the earlier Jarmann rifle and his Krag–Petersson rifle, he enlisted master gunsmith Erik Jørgensen. Together they developed a capsule magazine that wrapped around the bolt action, initially holding ten rounds. In 1886, Denmark tested an early prototype, leading to a lighter, five-round half-capsule design and a distinct bolt action combining ideas from the Jarmann and Mauser mechanisms.
The rifle featured a magazine cut-off, a switch on the left rear of the receiver. When flipped up, it prevented cartridges from feeding into the chamber, allowing the soldier to fire single shots from the pouch while holding the magazine in reserve. The Krag–Jørgensen was adopted by Denmark on July 3, 1889, and later by the United States after a competition in 1892, despite protests from domestic inventors. The U.S. produced about 500,000 Krags in .30 Army calibre at Springfield Armory from 1894 to 1904.
Reader's Guide
The Krag–Jørgensen's significance lies in its innovative side-loading magazine, which allowed easy topping off without opening the bolt, a feature that U.S. ordnance officials initially valued for conserving ammunition. However, this design became a disadvantage when U.S. soldiers faced Spanish troops using charger-loaded Mauser rifles in the Spanish–American War. The rifle saw use in the Boxer Rebellion, the Spanish–American War, and the Philippine–American War. Danish Krags remained in service until the German invasion of Denmark in 1940. Among collectors and shooters, the Krag–Jørgensen is popular for its smooth action. Its legacy includes influencing later magazine designs, though it was eventually replaced in U.S. service by the M1903 Springfield, which also featured a magazine cutoff.
Did You Know?
- The Krag–Jørgensen's magazine could be loaded by dumping several cartridges into the opened side door at once, without careful placement.
- The rifle had a magazine cut-off that allowed soldiers to fire single shots from the pouch while keeping the magazine in reserve.
- After the 1940 invasion, the standard Danish Krag–Jørgensen was given the German identification code Gewehr 310(d), while a sniper variant was designated Scharfschützen-Gewehr 312(d).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed the Krag–Jørgensen rifle?
The rifle was the collaborative work of two Norwegian engineers, Ole Herman Johannes Krag and Erik Jørgensen, who developed the design in the late 1800s.
What makes the Krag–Jørgensen's magazine different from other rifles of its time?
Instead of loading cartridges from the top like most contemporary bolt-actions, the Krag–Jørgensen used a side-loading magazine, giving it a visually distinct profile and a different loading procedure.
Which countries adopted the Krag–Jørgensen as a standard military arm?
Norway, Denmark, and the United States all selected the rifle for service use, and approximately 300 units were also delivered to Boer forces in the South African Republic.
What type of firearm is the Krag–Jørgensen?
It is a repeating bolt-action rifle, meaning the shooter manually cycles a bolt to chamber each round while a tubular magazine holds additional cartridges for the next shot.
Why is the Krag–Jørgensen considered a landmark Norwegian invention?
Designed entirely by Norwegian engineers, it earned adoption by three separate nations and saw combat in South Africa, making it one of the most internationally deployed firearms of its era to originate from Norway.
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