| Remington M1891 Engineer Carbine |
| I've always found the 8 mm Remington Carbines to be the most uncharming and boring long-arm used by the Norwegian army. No brass, no really exciting mechanism, no fancy markings - just all plain - and it even looks like an inexpencive childrens toy gun (well, the 1888 is even "cheaper" in apperance than the M1891). The Norwegian Remington carbines should never have been made. Norwegian forces had repeating arms already in 1876 and the army had a boltaction repeating rifle in 1884. Why then suddenly turn to an ancient design from 1867 when designing a new carbine. The first Krag Jørgensen smokeless repeating carbine came only four years after this M1891. One interesting thing about the M1888 and the M1891 - they were actually used agains the Germans in 1940. A large number of the carbines were stored near Gjøvik and were put to use against Germans with their MG34 and MP38's. No wonder Germany won that battle.... I used to have two, one rather good M1888 cavalry and a fairly pitted and really rather shitty M1891. Then I swapped away the M1891, completely forgetting that the M1888 also had gone in a deal earlier (the price of having a fairly large and and locked down collection). I was without any Norwegian Remington carbines for more than 20 years! In order to have a fairly complete collection, you have to have it. When I finally managed to get hold of this one, it cost me a bundle. The rifle is in somewhat doubtful condition, it has been restained and although the (few) numbers are matching, the rear sight has some pitting, but not the rest of the gun. I'm on the lookout for a better one |
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