LSB#: 171027EM01
Make: Fabrique National (FN). Luxembourg Contract Rifle
Model: Model 1949 (FN 49)
The Belgium military was working on two battle rifle designs, the Fabrique National FN 49 (which had been nearly ready when WW2 intervened) and a second more modern design that would become the FAL. The French, anxious to start retiring their remaining Berthier carbines, decided to move on without the rest of NATO soon after the organization. G&C contributor, range buddy, and all around cool guy Cro picked up an Egyptian Contract FN-49 and was kind enough to trust me with it for a week or so to take some photos. It really is a gorgeous looking gun. FN49.jpg The FN-49 began life just prior to WWII, and the designer, Dieudonne Saive, fled to England when the Nazis invaded Belgium. Description: Very fine Venezuelan FN - 49 chambered for 7mm Mauser (7x57). Matching serial numbers with excellent bore. This is not import marked. Serial number 1368 was delivered May 31 1949.
Fn 49 For Sale
Serial Number: 6377
Year of Manufacture: Early 1950’s
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield
Action Type: Semi Auto, Detachable Magazine
Markings: There is no visible import mark. The top of the receiver is marked “AL”. The left side of the receiver is marked with a Belgian “* / E” proof and with a Belgian proof that resembles an “arrow”. The right side of the receiver and the right side of the top cover are both marked with the serial number. The right side of the receiver is also marked “FABRIQUE NATIONAL D’ARMES DE GUERRE-HERSTAL-BELGIQUE”. The left side of the receiver is marked with a “flaming bomb” and “0”. The top of the gas tube cap is marked “A”.
Barrel Length: Approximately 23 Inches
Fn 49 Rifle Serial Numbers List
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a dovetail set, bladed post set between two protective ears. The rear sight is an aperture tangent sight marked from “1-10”.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The two piece gloss finished hardwood stock has a pistol grip, finger grooves, metal nosecaps, barrel band, two sling swivels and a metal buttplate with hinged door for storage in the butt. The butt has two drilled circular holes for cleaning gear under the buttplate door. The holes are approximately 1 inch wide. The buttplate shows scrapes, scratches & thinning. The wood shows deep scratches under the right side of the receiver. The wood shows several other small or thin scrapes & scratches. The LOP measures 13 1/4 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Very Good Plus overall condition.
Type of Finish: Black
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is deep. There is no erosion. The bore shows an M.E. of -1 (negative 1).
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 96% of its metal finish. The bottom metal shows scrapes & small scratches that have removed some of the black finish. The barrel shows various small scrapes & small scratches. The screw heads show use. The markings are deep. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good Plus to Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cocking indicator is located at the bottom front of the trigger guard. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Fn 49 Rifle Serial Numbers For Sale
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The rifle comes with one black magazine that shows scrapes & small scratches. It is in about Very Good Plus to Fine condition. The rifle comes with a black nylon sling with metal buckles. The sling shows some creasing. The buckles show scrapes. It is in about Very Good Plus to Fine condition.
Our Assessment: This rare Luxembourg contract FN 49 was made sometime during in the early 1950’s by Fabrique Nationale of Belgium. Luxembourg purchased a total of 6,003 FN 49 rifles. This one has the large “AL” marking on the top of the receiver that identifies the rifle as a Luxembourg contract FN 49. It is chambered in .30-06 Springfield and has a strong bright bore. It will be putting .30-06 ammo down range long after you are gone…if properly cared for.
Some basics from Wikipedia: “The Fabrique Nationale Model 1949 (often referred to as the FN-49 or SAFN) is a semi-automatic rifle designed by Dieudonné Saive and manufactured by Fabrique Nationale. It was used by the militaries of Argentina, Belgium, the Belgian Congo, Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Indonesia, Luxembourg, and Venezuela. While well regarded for its high build quality and reliability in comparison to the rifles of the time, its marketability was limited, as it was not developed in time for use in World War II but later, as many militaries had already begun the switch to selective fire assault rifles. As a result, it found itself in direct competition with a number of more modern rifles such as the Heckler & Koch G3 and Fabrique Nationale de Herstal’s own FN FAL, resulting in limited sales.”