Krag-Petersson Model 1876

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1876

• 1 History of the Krag-Petersson Model 1876 Rifle
• 2 Krag-Petersson Type 1876 Specification
  • 2.1 Fundamentals
  • 2.2 Manufacturer
  • 2.3 Carrier
  • 2.4 Dimensions and Weight
  • 2.5 Action
  • 2.6 Cartridges and Paper Feeds
  • 2.7 POWER
  • 2.8 VARIANTS

History of the Krag-Petersson Model 1876 Rifle

O.H.J. Krag and A. Petersson began designing the Krag-Petersson Model 1876 in 1872. No fewer than 17 prototypes were used during development, and the rifle was eventually sold to the Royal Norwegian Navy (RNN) in 1876, with a total of 975 active duty units and 30 service test-only units produced.

115 rifles made in Denmark for trials are also located there. For Norway, the series was used for the success of Switzerland's aging series "Vetterli" rifles, which entered service in 1867.

The Model 1876 was one of the first examples of repeated firing to be in service in large numbers as a standard weapon by major world powers (and the first Krag design to feature such features), much of it due to its novelty in action. Although its total output was not high, it survived for decades until it was more or less replaced by modern solutions in 1900.

The internal action of the rifle is the "drop block" method, allowing repeated firing from the available 10-round tubular magazine. The action allows for a single manually operated fire (via an exposed rod at the rear end of the receiver), during which the solid metal breech assembly slides vertically. In the down state, the breech opens, allowing a single cartridge to be inserted through the mechanism (although manual intervention is required for final cartridge insertion).

After the cartridge is used up, the breech is dropped again and the used casing is removed / ejected back - the chamber is ready to receive a new cartridge.

This move proved very popular at the end of the 19th century, giving the shooter a tactical advantage over contemporary designs. The drop block action was replaced by a manually operated bolt action system, which again became common in service rifles in the new century.

However, the concept is still widely used in field artillery systems, albeit on a much larger scale.

The Model 1876 has an overall length of 37.44 inches, making it a handy service rifle in the field - although it can accept bayonets to extend infantry's range in close combat. The cartridge used is the 12.17x44mm rimfire, and when fed from a full-barreled magazine, the rate of fire can reach 11 rounds per 25 seconds.

Aiming is through the V-notch and front post arrangement, and has an effective range of up to 900 yards and a nominal muzzle velocity of nearly 1,260 feet per second.

The Model 1876 proved to be a reliable, accurate long gun in service, but had little appeal outside Norway (although France, Russia, and Brazil were interested). The series eventually went into private ownership and went down in history, with few copies in circulation today.

Krag-Petersson Type 1876 Specification

Fundamentals

Year of Service

1876

Origins

Norway

Categories

Block Action Bolt Action Rifle

Manufacturer

Krag-Petersson - Norway

Carrier

Denmark (tested); Norway

Dimensions and Weight

Overall Length

1,360 mm

53. 54 inches

Barrel length

951mm

37. 44 inches [/ p]

Attractions

V-notch with front post.

Action

Manual joystick; repeated shots

Cartridges and Paper Feeds

Caliber*

12. 17x44mm rimfire

Circle/Feed

10-round tubular magazine.

POWER

Maximum efficiency. Arrived

2,955 feet

(901m | 985m)

Rate of fire

19

Number of revolutions

Mile speed

1,250 ft/s

(381m/s)

VARIANTS

Model 1876 - Base Series Name.