Norway adopted the 7.5 mm Nagant revolver (named M/1893) as the standard Norwegian military sidearm in 1893.

Following extensive tests through early 1914, it was finally decided, in August 1914, to adopt the Colt M1911 pistol in Norway.

Norway attempted to get licensing through Colt, but discovered European production was through Fabrique Nationale.

[1] The Kongsberg Colt remained in service with the Norwegian Armed Forces until being replaced by the Glock P80 in 1985.

The first test production at Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk in Norway occurred in 1917 and 95 pistols were finished and wrongly stamped "COLT AUT.

[citation needed] In total, approximately 8200 pistols were made during German occupation (serials 22312-30534).

[citation needed] A further 2,319 pistols were assembled from existing parts after the war until production was halted at serial number 32854 in 1948.

A US dealer supplied commercial frames, slides and barrels as well as other parts that were assembled at Kongsberg.

There are some models with 1945 stamping finished, completed and delivered in 1947 and 1948 (original Kongsberg documentation) [citation needed] Some of the most rare are the "Matpakke-Colt" (lunch box Colt) that were made out of parts smuggled out during World War II by workers and used by resistance forces.