FN-49 in combat

[C2A1]

Did the FN-49 ever get into combat? Korea, Arab/isreali conflicts? If so how did it fair? Just wondering

[Texasbubba]

I've seen photos of the Belgian contingent carrying the 30-06 version in Korea.

[Goose52]

Yes - the rifle served in several major conflicts. Other than breakage of the early-design 1-piece firing pins, the rifles are reported to have given good service.

In addition to the actions that you mentioned (Korea and use by Egypt in several conflicts with Israel), you can add the Congo where the rifle saw significant action over a period of many years.

Some people mention the use of the rifle by Argentine forces in the Falklands/Malvinas war - but no one has ever been able to provide proof. I personally consider such use unlikely as the Argentine Marine units in the Falklands were front-line units that had been re-armed with FALs many years before the Falklands event. Argentine FN-49s may have been part of the small arms inventory aboard Argentine warships operating in the Falklands theater perhaps.

The rifle also probably saw combat in service with Indonesia in several minor clashes in New Guinea, Borneo, and Sumatra. It may have also been involved in some internal conflicts in Argentina, Colombia, perhaps Brazil.

Many of the FN-49 using nations were involved in UN peacekeeping operations and the rifles were carried by units involved in these ops. Belgium and Luxembourg used them while participating in NATO exercises.

Otherwise, the rifles were mostly used for the normal training, garrison, and field activities like internal security and border patrolling ...

Goose

[lew]

Any one have any pictures to share?

[Goose52]

I have photos in my book, plus some on file ... but they are copyrighted and can't be posted. I would have liked to include more action shots in the book but was unable to find the owners of the images to either get, or purchase, rights to print the images ...

Goose

[maximum armor]

Originally posted by Goose52
Yes - the rifle served in several major conflicts. Other than breakage of the early-design 1-piece firing pins, the rifles are reported to have given good service.

In addition to the actions that you mentioned (Korea and use by Egypt in several conflicts with Israel), you can add the Congo where the rifle saw significant action over a period of many years.

Some people mention the use of the rifle by Argentine forces in the Falklands/Malvinas war - but no one has ever been able to provide proof. I personally consider such use unlikely as the Argentine Marine units in the Falklands were front-line units that had been re-armed with FALs many years before the Falklands event. Argentine FN-49s may have been part of the small arms inventory aboard Argentine warships operating in the Falklands theater perhaps.

The rifle also probably saw combat in service with Indonesia in several minor clashes in New Guinea, Borneo, and Sumatra. It may have also been involved in some internal conflicts in Argentina, Colombia, perhaps Brazil.

Many of the FN-49 using nations were involved in UN peacekeeping operations and the rifles were carried by units involved in these ops. Belgium and Luxembourg used them while participating in NATO exercises.

Otherwise, the rifles were mostly used for the normal training, garrison, and field activities like internal security and border patrolling ...

Goose


What are the chances of a Egyptian rifle finding its way into the hands of a UN peacekeeper or spent time in south Africa in turn showing rifle markings of it? :beer: