Venezuelan FN Model 1949 FN49 7mm Mauser Semi-Auto Rifle C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,526.17
WOA#: WY240117CB055
Make: Fabrique Nationale Herstal
Model: FN Model 1949
Serial Number: 1583
Year of Manufacture: 1949
Caliber: 7mm Mauser (7x57mm)
Action Type: Semi-auto, 10 round fixed box magazine
Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked “7 M.M.’ and with two Belgian proofs. The top of the receiver ring is marked with the Venezuelan coat of arms. The top rear right side of the receiver is marked with two Belgian proofs. The right side of the receiver is marked “1583” at the front and rear and “Fabrique Nationale D’Armes De Guerre – Herstal – Belgique”. The top of the gas block plug is marked “A”.
Barrel Length: 24.8” with the muzzle device
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. The buttplate has multiple areas of oxidation. There are light compression marks, scuffs, and scratches throughout the wood. There is a crack at the front of the upper handguard. There is a small chip in the left front corner of the forend. There is wear on the right side of the buttstock along the side of the buttplate. The LOP measures 13.1” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Black gun paint
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is very light erosion in the bore.
In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 8.5 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 88% of its metal finish. There are light scuffs and scratches throughout the metal surfaces. There is wear to the finish on the dust cover and along the side of the receiver where the dust cover rubs against it. There is a small spot of wear on the bottom of the trigger guard. There is heavier finish wear along the sides and front of the muzzle device. There are also a few small spots of finish wear on the barrel exterior. The bolt and action show usage wear. The screw heads show moderate use. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions . 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 leather M1917 style sling.
Our Assessment: Work on what would become the FN Model 1949 was begun by Dieudonné Saive immediately prior to the Second World War. Saive was able to escape Belgium in 1941 and continued his work while in exile in England. After a number of prototypes and a few canceled trials, the design of the FN49 was completed post-war. FN had difficulty shopping the new rifle to most nations because of the influx of American and Allied surplus. The first country to contract FN for FN49s was Venezuela, who received their first order in the spring of 1949. The Venezuelan rifles were in the accurate and plentiful 7mm Mauser, which is what Venezuela’s FN Mauser rifles were also chambered in. The Venezuelan contract was for around 12,000 rifles, with most of those not actually entering service with their military and instead being surplused to the United States commercial market. This example has a lower serial number and may have been in the initial 2,000 rifles delivered to Venezuela in 1949. The wood is in mostly good shape, though there is a crack at the front of the upper handguard. Most of the finish is retained, but there is some usage wear and wear on the muzzle device. The bore is bright with very light erosion and sharp rifling. The rifle comes with an M1917 style leather sling. These are a somewhat rare variant of the FN49 and this one would fit into any South American, FN49, or FNH collection. Please see our photos.
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