Norwegian M1914 M-1914 Kongsberg Colt 11.25mm Semi-Auto Pistol, 1923 C&R
SOLD FOR: $3,025
LSB#: 231108DM062
Make: Kongsberg Vapenfabrik, Norway, under license from Browning through Fabrique Nationale
Model: 1914, known as the “Kongsberg Colt”
Serial Number: 4233
Year of Manufacture: 1923
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 4233”, a crowned shield with a “7” in the center and a “Crown / Script K” proof mark. The left side of the frame is marked “4233”. The barrel, slide release, trigger, hammer, safety, grip safety, ejector, guide rod, recoil spring plug, mainspring housing, firing pin plate, barrel bushing, and the right side of the magazine release are marked “4233” or “233”. The right side of the slide is marked “1923” over an inspector marking. 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 wood 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 have light-moderate wear with scattered nicks and scratches. The right panel has notable tool marks around the screws. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering is generally well defined. Overall, the grips are in Good-Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is a mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is some minor erosion and stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 8 out of 10.
Many military and C&R-eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 75% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. There is some scattered finish wear. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. 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 Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The slide has light 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 second-type magazine which has a lanyard ring on the floorplate and a nickel finish.
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 German 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 1923 made example in Very Good condition. The pistol has matching serial numbers on all of the numbered parts. 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!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California -Bud
