Kongsberg connoisseurs, is this barrel legit?

Matyoka · April 3, 2024, 04:30 PM

Hey guys,

Came across a Kongsberg built in 1945... man I started sweating that it will be a Reich Stamped one but my excitement didn't last long unfortunately after seeing the photos. 100% refinished with some shiny blueing, grips are not original but the most questionable thing was the serial number on the barrel. Pretty much every Kongs barrel I have seen... started with a dot followed by the 3 or 4 digits toward the feed ramp end of the barrel. This barrel has 3 digits and the numbers are reversed, making me wonder if someone used a die set to force match the serial or perhaps late 1945 barrels were stamped this way? Has anyone here seen serials starting from feed ramp??? Will attach a barrel shot from a different 1945(red background) as well as comparison.

Thanks for your times folks,

Lev

highpower3006 · April 3, 2024, 06:00 PM

The font looks the same as the other numbers on the gun, but all the M1914 pistols I have seen, including mine, have the numbers oriented the same as in your second picture. A caveat may be in order here, as mine was made in 1922.

That poor thing has been buffed and polished and the original grip panels are long gone, which IMO, makes it purely a shooter grade gun. Whether the barrel matches or not is kind of a moot point. A real shame as it otherwise is a matching numbers gun.

Mine:

Matyoka · April 3, 2024, 09:00 PM

Yessir, my thoughts exactly. Thanks for posting the reply!!!

Metric · April 20, 2024, 02:14 AM

If it's already been "ruined" for collector value, at least it's free to become a very interesting custom project.

Bill DeShivs · April 20, 2024, 02:18 PM

I believe that gun could be restored to look really close to original. The markings are strong and block sanding would restore the sharp edges. Then a little blasting and proper reblue.
It would take a lot of hand work, but the gun might be worth it.

Metric · April 20, 2024, 03:00 PM

Might be a job for Turnbull, if it's worth the coin.

April 3, 2024, 04:30 PM	#1
Matyoka Junior Member Join Date: April 24, 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 6	Kongsberg connoisseurs, is this barrel legit? Hey guys, Came across a Kongsberg built in 1945... man I started sweating that it will be a Reich Stamped one but my excitement didn't last long unfortunately after seeing the photos. 100% refinished with some shiny blueing, grips are not original but the most questionable thing was the serial number on the barrel. Pretty much every Kongs barrel I have seen... started with a dot followed by the 3 or 4 digits toward the feed ramp end of the barrel. This barrel has 3 digits and the numbers are reversed, making me wonder if someone used a die set to force match the serial or perhaps late 1945 barrels were stamped this way? Has anyone here seen serials starting from feed ramp??? Will attach a barrel shot from a different 1945(red background) as well as comparison. Thanks for your times folks, Lev __________________ Noveske Light Recce/AAC M4-2000 mod 08 Silencer Walther P22/Tac Quest Silencer H&K Tactical Compact .45/AAC Evolution 45 Silencer KEL-TEC SU22 Semi Auto .22 rifle/threaded barrel

April 3, 2024, 09:00 PM	#3
Matyoka Junior Member Join Date: April 24, 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 6	Yessir, my thoughts exactly. Thanks for posting the reply!!! __________________ Noveske Light Recce/AAC M4-2000 mod 08 Silencer Walther P22/Tac Quest Silencer H&K Tactical Compact .45/AAC Evolution 45 Silencer KEL-TEC SU22 Semi Auto .22 rifle/threaded barrel

April 20, 2024, 02:18 PM	#5
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,991	I believe that gun could be restored to look really close to original. The markings are strong and block sanding would restore the sharp edges. Then a little blasting and proper reblue. It would take a lot of hand work, but the gun might be worth it. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

April 3, 2024, 06:00 PM	#2
highpower3006 Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2011 Location: Savannah TN Posts: 1,221	The font looks the same as the other numbers on the gun, but all the M1914 pistols I have seen, including mine, have the numbers oriented the same as in your second picture. A caveat may be in order here, as mine was made in 1922. That poor thing has been buffed and polished and the original grip panels are long gone, which IMO, makes it purely a shooter grade gun. Whether the barrel matches or not is kind of a moot point. A real shame as it otherwise is a matching numbers gun. Mine:

April 20, 2024, 02:14 AM	#4
Metric Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2016 Posts: 358	If it's already been "ruined" for collector value, at least it's free to become a very interesting custom project.

April 20, 2024, 03:00 PM	#6
Metric Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2016 Posts: 358	Might be a job for Turnbull, if it's worth the coin.