The Norwegian coupling was developed in Norway about 1870, when the main railway network was built to 1067 mm (3 ft 6 in) narrow gauge.

During the 20th century, these lines were rebuilt to 1435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge or closed.

Since the rolling stock needed to be replaced, a change was made to buffers and chain couplers.

On railway lines where rolling stock always points the same way, the mechanical hook may be provided only on one end of each wagon.

The Lynton and Barnstaple Railway originally used side chains in conjunction with Norwegian couplers, but they were eventually found to be unnecessary with the slow speeds prevailing (15–25 km/h or 9–16 mph) and were removed within a year or so of the line opening in 1898.