Argentine FN Model 1949 FN49 7.62×51 NATO Semi-Auto Rifle C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,330
WOA#: WY240210RN012
Make: Fabrique Nationale Herstal (Converted domestically by Metalúrgica Centro)
Model: FN Model 1949
Serial Number: 3554
Year of Manufacture: Late 1960s
Caliber: 7.62x51mm NATO
Action Type: Semi-auto, 10 round detachable box magazine
Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked with a boxed “ARA’ stamp, two proof marks, and “Fabrique Nationale D’Armes De Guerre_Herstal Belgique”. The top of the receiver is marked with an Argentine crest. The right side of the receiver is marked “3554” at the front and rear, and with an import mark at the rear. The right side of the bolt is marked “3554”. The top of the rear sight base is marked “AR”. The top of the gas block plug is marked “A”. The right side of the stock below the receiver is marked “3554”. The left side of the buttstock is marked with a boxed “ARA” stamp. The right side of the buttstock is marked “418” in white.
Barrel Length: 23”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade post dovetailed into a base set between two protective wings. The rear sight is an aperture attached to a sliding escalator assembly, with two protective wings set behind the aperture.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The two-piece wood stock has a semi-pistol grip, metal nose cap, barrel band with sling loop, through bolt, sling loop, and metal buttplate with hinged door for storage. The buttplate is heavily worn along the edges and only has a small amount of finish remaining at the center. There are compression marks, scuffs, and scratches throughout the wood. There is a small crack on the left side of the stock below the receiver ring. There is a large crescent shaped compression mark on top of the upper handguard at the rear. There is a shallow gouge in the left side of the upper handguard behind the barrel band. There is a rectangular dried adhesive outline on the left side of the buttstock. The LOP measures 13.25” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Fair to Good overall condition.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: 1x detachable box magazine cut-down to 10 rounds in Good condition.
Type of Finish: Black gun paint & oil darkened metal
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is light to moderate erosion in the bore.
In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 6.5 out of 10.
Many military and C&R eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide. For example, the U.S. used corrosive ammunition throughout WWII. The U.S. military did not begin to phase out corrosive-primed ammunition until the 1950s.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 70% of its metal finish. There are scuffs and scratches throughout the metal surfaces. The black paint is worn on the receiver, the barrel exterior, bayonet lug, the nose cap & gas block, and trigger guard assembly. There is heavy wear to the finish at the front right side of the receiver and the charger clip guides. There is oxidation on the barrel band. There is wear to the finish on the magazine release, inside the magwell, and on the charging handle. The magazine has heavy wear to the black paint finish along the bottom. The screw heads show moderate use. The markings are mostly clear though the crest and the front right side serial number are worn. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle comes with a cut-down 10 round magazine.
Our Assessment: Argentina was one of the many countries that contracted FN49 rifles from Fabrique Nationale Herstal. The contract was for around 5,500 rifles in the Argentine 7.65x53mm cartridge, which were to be issued to the Argentine Navy. This contract was completed in the mid 1950s. It was around this time that the Argentine military adopted the FAL in chambered in 7.62×51 NATO, also from FNH. It was determined in the late 1960s to update and rechamber the FN49s in the Argentine inventory to have them fit better into the logistics network. Nearly all of the FN49s were converted domestically to 7.62×51 NATO by Metalúrgica Centro. The fixed 10 round magazines were also removed in favor of detachable 20 round box magazines. These would see limited use during the Falklands War. Upon being surplused into the United States, some of the 20 round magazines were crudely cut down to 10 rounds. This example has matching serial numbers on the serialized parts. The magazine has been cut down to 10 rounds. The stock has wear throughout, with a small crack on the left side near the receiver ring. Some of the black paint finish remains, with much of it having been worn from the receiver, barrel exterior, and trigger guard assembly. There is also heavy wear along the right side of the charger clip guides. The bore is bright with strong rifling and light to moderate erosion. Atypically, these conversions were well done and the rifles tend to perform well with modern 7.62×51 NATO ammunition. This would fit into any Argentine, South American, FN49, or FNH collection. Please see our photos.
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