Norwegian M1914 M-1914 Kongsberg Colt 11.25mm Semi-Auto Pistol, 1939 C&R
SOLD FOR: $6526
LSB#: 220308RY008
Make: Kongsberg Vapenfabrik, Norway, under license from Browning through Fabrique Nationale
Model: 1914, known as the “Kongsberg Colt”
Serial Number: 22274
Year of Manufacture: 1939
Caliber: 11.25×23 ACP (.45 ACP)
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “11.25m/m AUT. PISTOL M/1914 No 22274”, a crowned shield with a “7” in the center and a “Crown / Script K” proof mark. The left side of the frame is marked “22274”. The slide release, trigger, safety, grip safety, AND mainspring housing are marked “.274”. The right side of the slide is marked “1939” over an inspector marking. The barrel is marked “.274 / n” and behind the link lugs with an “E”. The top rear of the slide behind the rear sight is marked “A”.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is rounded blade fixed to the slide. The rear sight is a “U” notch dovetailed into the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered hardwood with smooth diamond shapes around the grip screws, and the left grip is cut-out at the top front for clearance for the slide release. The grips were painted black with strong paint on the inside surfaces and in the cuts of the checkering. The raised surfaces of the checkering have mostly worn to show the wood grain with some black remaining on the smooth diamonds. The grips have light handling wear with some scattered nicks, scuffs, scratches and one more notable ding on the right panel on the top edge. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is well defined. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Black Enamel over Phosphate
Finish Originality: Original to the parts. The lack of serial markings on the hammer and bushing indicate that they are replacements, there may be other small parts which have been replaced.
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is some minor erosion and stubborn fouling in the bore in front of the chamber.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 96% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges. There are a few other scattered small marks through the finish, most notable on the slide stop and mainspring housing. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The slide has very little play to the frame. The trigger pull is crisp. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with one 7 round magazine which has a lanyard ring on the floorplate. The magazine has light operational wear and scattered minor surface oxidation with intact feed lips and a strong spring.
Our Assessment: In the early 1900’s, the Norwegians were looking around for a pistol to replace their aging Nagant revolvers. They held several commissions to evaluate pistols, but they all came back recommending Browning-designed Colts, at first the Model 1902 in .38 ACP and finally the Model 1911. The Norwegian parliament kept refusing funding for the pistol, holding out for a “homegrown” design. They finally gave up in 1914 and allowed the 1911 to be adopted. Norway held discussions for Fabrique Nationale, Browning’s representative in Europe, to secure a license to produce the pistols in Norway. Production finally began in 1917 with a few hundred produced. In 1918, a few slight changes were made, which resulted in a slide release that was both extended and lowered, which makes one wonder “Why didn’t we think of that?”. The Norwegian armed forces liked them so much that production continued up to WWII and even during N.azi occupation during the war. Those surviving WWII were kept in service until they were replaced by the Glock P80 in 1985. To add further value to these guns, the Kongsberg Colt and the Argentine Model of 1927 are the only two legitimate licensed copies of the Browning designed Colt 1911 that were produced out of the country. This pistol is a 1939 made example in quite good condition. It was made in 1939, one of the last 100 guns produced before the German invasion The pistol has matching serial numbers on all of the numbered parts, though there are no serial markings on the hammer or bushing, indicating that they have been replaced. This is a very nice find for collectors of European firearms and for those of Scandinavia in particular. There weren’t that many made, making any that survived to today a rare find. Please see our photos and good luck!