Original Item. Only One Available. This is fairly unusual, starting life as the Danish Flintlock 18mm smooth bore Musket of 1769, but then later converted to percussion to keep up with advances in firearms development. It was often much more economical to convert older weapons than to make entirely new ones.

The lock originally did have a true half-cock position, however it was standard practice when these were converted to percussion to add a safety "dog" behind the hammer, most likely keep the hammer from destroying the cap nipple cone, as it only engages before the half cocked position. This conversion most likely occurred in Norway, where it was fitted with a rifled barrel of 40 inches long. It was then further converted after 1851 with the addition of a "pillar breech" to the barrel, intended to push out the bottom of the bullet to engage the rifling. The overall length is 57 inches, with all brass mounts on a Beech Wood stock with a two leaf flip up long range sight fitted to barrel.

The rifle comes complete with its VERY substantial iron ramrod assembly, with a large cup on the end intended to aid in pushing the bullet onto the pillar. The rifle is overall in excellent condition, and the breech wood stock is beautiful, and the is a lovely worn blue, probably having been refinished in the late 19th century. It is marked with serial number 1142 on the lock plate, barrel tang, and on the right side of the barrel. There are additional marks on the lock and cap bolster, such as a CROWN / K, for Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk (Weapons Factory) in Norway, where it was made and possibly converted. This same factory would later manufacture Krag–Jørgensen rifles as well as Norwegian licensed Colt 1911 pistols. There is a square K·K cartouche on the lock plate as well, and there are also some proofs on the breech end of the barrel, which are faded but definitely a source of future research.

The brass side plate of the rifle, trigger guard, and brass butt plate are all correct for this model. The tang of the brass butt plate has the characteristic design, and the two giant flathead screws on the rear of the butt plate are a hallmark of this era of Danish-Norwegian firearms. Also of note is that the brass ramrod pipes on this rifled musket are MASSIVE, definitely larger than we are used to seeing, but correct for the pattern. Both sling swivels are still present, and move well.

Condition of this rifled musket is very good, having been cleaned by our expert antique gunsmiths to put it in its best light. The metalwork is in great shape, as is the stock, and it really has a fantastic look. The lock is fully functional, holding at half cock, and firing at full. The bore is in very good condition, still showing strong rifling, with some areas of fouling and oxidation. The pillar at the bottom of the barrel is easily visible.

A great example of a hard to find Danish / Norwegian rifled musket that saw additional user in service due to percussion and later rifled conversion. Ready to research and display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: circa 1780 - converted circa 1850.
Caliber: about 19mm rifled
Cartridge Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 41 Inches
Overall Length: 57 Inches
Action type: Side action Lock with Dog Safety
Feed System: Muzzle Loading

History of the Denmark Norway firearms connection:

Denmark basically ruled Norway until 1814 however having taken the side of Napoleon Bonaparte in the Napoleonic wars which came to a temporary close in 1813. In 1814 Denmark was forced to grant Norway independence in 1814. In 1815 Napoleon raised his head again and was finally beaten at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. Had the French won at Waterloo who knows what Scandinavia would look like today.

Norway had tens of thousands of old Danish produced muskets by 1814 - most of these were already at the point becoming obsolete. While Sweden started a huge production of "new and modern" flintlock long-guns in the early 1800's, the Norwegian army kept the Danish muskets for years to come. As better technology came, these old long-guns were gradually converted and modernized into a variety of models. The muskets from between the M1746 and the M1807 were all fairly similar and most of them were converted to one of the following models.

Little work was needed to convert a flintlock to percussion which was done by removing the outer flintlock parts from the lock-plate, inserting a percussion bit on the barrel and a new hammer plus the dog catch. It was a very inexpensive exercise.

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