pistolkjop

WTB: Norwegian Kongsberg pistols

Kongsberg produced pistols for the Norwegian military forces 1818-1846 are strangely enough most common in the US. I am looking for the following models, preferably in flintlock but also in percussion. I'm also interested in the M1843 and the small M1848 naval percussions pistols.

With the exception of the M1818 in flintlock (is marked with Kongsberg V.F. on the barrel), all the others are marked with a crowned K on the lock. There are also some percussion conversions of 18th century pistols marked with the crowned K, but these are nowhere as interesting (I would probable not exceed USD 800 for these, even in great condition).

The Kongsberg pistols are more or less copies of Swedish pistols and they can be difficult to tell apart. In this case the copy is worth way more than the original, even a good Swedish M1807 will hardly fetch USD 1000, whilst I would with little hesitation pay USD 10 000 for the Norwegian M1818 copy in flintlock in excellent condition. The M1831, M1834 & M1835 are copies of the Swedish M1820 and the Swedish originals can be picked up “by the dozens” from USD 800 in flintlock and from USD 350 for the percussion. Make sure the pistols are marked with the crowned “K” or as described for the flintlock version of the M1818.

I guaranteed to pay the prices I have mentioned, even if I am offered several pistols of the same kind. I might also be willing to exceed this price if it is a model I don’t already have in my collection. Mind you, “very good +” in the US will often be rated as “rather tatty” in Europe. The “rifle” on the link is rated as “Very good +” in the US, it has been smooth bored to be used as a shotgun and would probably
be rated “an overworked relic”
in Norway with the
varnished stock
and all those
rust pittings.

M1818 army in flintlock (the pistol on the picture is actually a Swedish M1807,
but they are almost identical) is marked “KONGSBERG V.F.” along the barrel, no
other markings. Other differences - the Norwegian doed not have a screw on the brass strap behind the trigger guard and the front of the trigger guard is rounded on the M1818 and pointed on the Swedish pistols. In condition like the one on the picture (rather poor, Norwegian
rating) – USD 5000, in excellent condition USD 10 000. If military converted to percussion, it should have a crowned “K” on the lock. In condition like the one on the picture – USD 2500,- and up, in excellent condition USD 4000,-.
I would also be interested in civilian
percussion convertions at USD 2500,-.

M1828 navy in flintlock comes in left- and right-hand version – the ones on the pictures
are left-handed version. Usually the left-hand version is slightly more expensive than the right hand version, but I already have the left-hand so I’m willing to “overpay” for the other one. In flintlock and about the same condition as the one on the picture (no rust, but nowhere excellent), I’d be willing to pay USD 5000, in excellent untouched condition at USD 8000. There are probably several hundred of these in the percussion version in the US (see the mall picture, they have different hammers) and I’m willing to give USD 1500 for a good one and USD 2500 for an excellent one.

M1831, M1834 & M1835 – these are really five different models as both the
M1831 (pointed lock in the rear) & the M1834 (rounded lock in the rear) came
as smooth bored and rifled. These are all fitted for a shoulder stock. The M1835 is
identical to the M1834, but was not prepared for a shoulder stock.
Flintlock versions in very good condition: M1831 USD 2500, M1834 & M1835 USD 3000.
Percussion versions in very good condition: M1831 USD 1200, M1834 & M1835 USD 1500
Sholderstock in very good condition: USD 800, with matching number to pistol USD 1500

Important!
Description of condition varies a lot
between the US and Norway. "Very
good" in America could be judged as
a relic in Norway. None of the pistoles
pictured on this page are better than
"fairly good" or "good". The M1828 has
had some minor repairs to the wood,
although it has next to no nicks or dents
and there has never been any rust on it,
the repair pulls it down from a "very
good" to a "good". The M1831 & M1834
on the picture have lots of little dings and
have been heavily polished. The M1834
also lacks the nose band. No rust, but
due to the polishing - only "good".

The two M1774 & M1774/41 muskets
on the picture are in excellent condition.
All original finish, never been anything
but cleaned, 99,5 % original staining on
the barrel of the M1774/41, no dings,
nicks or repairs.

Norway did not attend any wars between 1814 and 1940 - lots of our military arms are in this condition or even seem "brand new, straight from the gunsmith.

Link to my Norwegian arms page