Norwegian Black Powder Union

{{Short description|Competition shooting association}}

File:Norwegian competitor at the 2015 MLAIC Long Range World Championship.jpg World Muzzle Loading Long Range Championships.]]

The Norwegian Black Powder Union, Norwegian Norsk Svartkruttunion (NSU), is the Norwegian association for muzzleloading competition shooting under the Muzzle Loaders Associations International Committee (MLAIC) and Muzzle Loading Association Scandinavian Committee (MLASC).[http://norsksvartkruttunion.no/om-oss/hvem-er-vi/ About Us - The Norwegian Black Powder Union]

NSU was founded 2 December 1983[https://w2.brreg.no/enhet/sok/detalj.jsp?orgnr=991955364 Key Organization Details from the Brønnøysund Register Centre] by Ragnar Hegge, and aims to preserve Norwegian history of fireams as well as to exercise shooting according to the old methods.

[https://norsksvartkruttunion.no/om-oss/hvem-er-vi/ Hvem er vi? | Norsk Svartkruttunion] (Who are we? | Norwegian Black Powder Union)

Competition rules are given by MLAIC, but NSU also offer own separate national equipment divisions for historical Norwegian military and civilian muzzleloaders from the end of the 19th century. In these competitions many choose to dress in themed clothing appropriate for the time period of their firearm.[https://www.folkebladet.no/sport/2018/06/25/Til-helga-er-det-klart-for-smell-og-kruttr%C3%B8yk-17001780.ece Til helga er det klart for smell og kruttrøyk - Folkebladet] Some of the oldest firearms which have been used in competitions arranged by NSU is a matchlock mechanism from the 15th century.[https://www.ostlendingen.no/ringsaker-blad/bruker-vapen-fra-1400-tallet/s/2-2.2757-1.7983179 Østlendingen - Bruker våpen fra 1400-tallet] (Østlendingen Newspaper - Competing with firearms from the 1400s) Firearms using cartridges may also be used, but they must be loaded with black powder.

NSU has a members magazine called Muskedunderen ("The Blunderbuss") which is published four times a year.[https://norsksvartkruttunion.no/portfolio-category/muskedunderen/ Muskedunderen | Portfolio Categories | Norsk Svartkruttunion] In addition to organizational information such as match invitations, the magazine also contains articles about firearms history written by both members and non-members,[https://www.nop.no/portal/public/showContentCategory.do?id=948504847 Norske Officerers Pistolklub - Svartkrutt] "NSUs medlemsblad Muskedunderen kommer ut fire ganger i året. I dette bladet skriver medlemmene artikler om våpenhistorie, og i tillegg til informasjon fra forbundet, innbydelser til stevner og annen relevant forbundsinformasjon. Muskedunderen tar gjerne imot bidrag, også fra ikke-medlemmer." and as such functions as an important tool for the conservation of antique firearms history.