FN-49 Mini-Survey – 30-06 Chambered Rifles

Goose52 · June 06, 2006, 21:36

OK – time to gather more data. Many of you may remember that I ran an FN-49 rifle survey for three years on a number of discussion forums between 2001 and 2004. In December 2004, my book on the FN-49 was published. Readers of the book have revealed a few MORE variances in the FN-49 that were not discovered in time for the first edition of the book. So, I now need to open up a new mini-survey to gather more data.

After examining a considerable number of 30-06 chambered rifles, including rifles from the Belgian, Belgian Congo, Colombian, Indonesian, and Luxembourg contracts, I made a statement in the book that: “No caliber markings have been observed on any receivers for 30-06 chambered rifles.” Now, two of my readers have indeed observed this marking on very low serial numbered Luxembourg contract rifles. So I now need to pin down the serial number range for this marking.

Here is the survey question: If you own a 30-06 chambered FN-49, especially in the Luxembourg contract below serial number 5000, let me know your rifle serial number, and whether there IS or IS NOT, a “.30” caliber marking inside a box, on the inside of the receiver, just behind the hole for the hammer (as shown in the attached photo).

That’s it. Thanks in advance for the help,

Goose

Goose52 · June 13, 2006, 08:07

Wow - all those people that reported having 30-06 chambered FN-49s during my rifle survey must have all sold their rifles !

Goose

vmtz · June 13, 2006, 08:16

I'll pull mine out tonight and check. Data later.

Vince

Goose52 · June 13, 2006, 08:55

Thanks Vince ...

There's always more to learn about FN-49s !

Goose

Pluribus · June 13, 2006, 10:27

My Colombian is in storage at the moment. I'll retrieve it this evening and examine it.

xcpd69 · June 13, 2006, 12:18

Goose, I just now saw the thread.

I pulled my Colombian, SER/0180, and it is marked .30 in that place, but no box around it. Marking is faint, with the 0 barely readable, but it's there.

Goose52 · June 13, 2006, 12:25

Lonny - thanks for the info.

I am surprised that it's on a Colombian !

Goose

xcpd69 · June 13, 2006, 12:27

I never noticed it before, or never paid attention, however it IS a very low numbered rifle..

Goose52 · June 13, 2006, 17:49

Quote:

Originally posted by xcpd69
... it IS a very low numbered rifle..

Well, 180 out of 1000 is at the low end of the serial number scheme, but the Colombian contract was delivered in one order, so all the rifles were made at about the same time.

The reason why I mentioned that I was surprised to see the marking on a Colombian is that these rifles are late 1952/early 1953 production, as opposed to the low-numbered Lux rifles, which were early 1951 production.

I was thinking that the data from this mini-survey was going to show that the .30 marking was an early 1951 practice that would be phased out by late 1951. Your rifle pushes it out another 1.5 years, with lots of rifles in-between that don't have the marking. So, given the data I have so far, I can't pin this marking down to a period of time, nor can I pin it down to a specific contract...

This is a stumper so far ..... need MORE data !

Goose

vmtz · June 13, 2006, 19:59

Goose,

Checked my Lux, SN 65XX, and not "30" stamp, but have this proof mark.

The proof mark is on the right side, charging handle side, by the hole for the hammer.

Goose52 · June 13, 2006, 20:21

OK - no marking.

BTW - that is not a proof mark - that is the acceptance marking of the Belgian military accepting service, which accepted the rifles from FN on behalf of Luxembourg.

Thanks for the report.

Goose

frtyfivsevnty · June 13, 2006, 20:33

I don't remember my serial# off hand but I know it has the proof like Vince's and no 30 marking.

Goose52 · June 13, 2006, 20:38

Thanks for the info but without the serial number I can't do any data plots !

Goose

rpk74dr · June 13, 2006, 20:42

Didn't get in on your first survey.

Luxembourg (AL?)
30.06
Ser#30xx
Has .30 marked but about 1/2 back from the slot for the hammer, also no box around .30

If you would like more info or could give me a little history on it shoot me a pm or email.Also needed is a source for spare parts.

**K. Funk** · June 14, 2006, 20:22

LUX 2393, RSA stamped under AL, no .30, no box; does have squiggly proof.

krf

Goose52 · June 14, 2006, 20:28

Thanks for the data ...

Goose

June 06, 2006, 21:36	#1
Goose52 Registered FALaholic #: 4994 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,032	FN-49 Mini-Survey – 30-06 Chambered Rifles OK – time to gather more data. Many of you may remember that I ran an FN-49 rifle survey for three years on a number of discussion forums between 2001 and 2004. In December 2004, my book on the FN-49 was published. Readers of the book have revealed a few MORE variances in the FN-49 that were not discovered in time for the first edition of the book. So, I now need to open up a new mini-survey to gather more data. After examining a considerable number of 30-06 chambered rifles, including rifles from the Belgian, Belgian Congo, Colombian, Indonesian, and Luxembourg contracts, I made a statement in the book that: “No caliber markings have been observed on any receivers for 30-06 chambered rifles.” Now, two of my readers have indeed observed this marking on very low serial numbered Luxembourg contract rifles. So I now need to pin down the serial number range for this marking. Here is the survey question: If you own a 30-06 chambered FN-49, especially in the Luxembourg contract below serial number 5000, let me know your rifle serial number, and whether there IS or IS NOT, a “.30” caliber marking inside a box, on the inside of the receiver, just behind the hole for the hammer (as shown in the attached photo). That’s it. Thanks in advance for the help, Goose __________________ Read a good book lately? www.fn49.com

June 13, 2006, 08:07	#2
Goose52 Registered FALaholic #: 4994 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,032	Wow - all those people that reported having 30-06 chambered FN-49s during my rifle survey must have all sold their rifles ! Goose __________________ Read a good book lately? www.fn49.com

June 13, 2006, 08:55	#4
Goose52 Registered FALaholic #: 4994 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,032	Thanks Vince ... There's always more to learn about FN-49s ! Goose __________________ Read a good book lately? www.fn49.com

June 13, 2006, 10:27	#5
Pluribus Registered Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 5600 Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Wichita, America Posts: 3,259	My Colombian is in storage at the moment. I'll retrieve it this evening and examine it. __________________ W. W. J. W. D? (What Would John Wayne Do) Were it not for ignorance, thus we would remain. Never hate your enemy, it only clouds your judgment.

June 13, 2006, 12:18	#6
xcpd69 Registered FALaholic #: 31 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Uranus Posts: 5,568	Goose, I just now saw the thread. I pulled my Colombian, SER/0180, and it is marked .30 in that place, but no box around it. Marking is faint, with the 0 barely readable, but it's there. __________________ Mama, take this badge off of me I can't use it anymore.

June 13, 2006, 08:16	#3
vmtz FALaholic #: 1125 Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Here right now Posts: 17,638	I'll pull mine out tonight and check. Data later. Vince

June 13, 2006, 12:25	#7
Goose52 Registered FALaholic #: 4994 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,032	Lonny - thanks for the info. I am surprised that it's on a Colombian ! Goose __________________ Read a good book lately? www.fn49.com

June 13, 2006, 12:27	#8
xcpd69 Registered FALaholic #: 31 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Uranus Posts: 5,568	I never noticed it before, or never paid attention, however it IS a very low numbered rifle.. __________________ Mama, take this badge off of me I can't use it anymore.

June 13, 2006, 20:21	#11
Goose52 Registered FALaholic #: 4994 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,032	OK - no marking. BTW - that is not a proof mark - that is the acceptance marking of the Belgian military accepting service, which accepted the rifles from FN on behalf of Luxembourg. Thanks for the report. Goose __________________ Read a good book lately? www.fn49.com

June 13, 2006, 20:33	#12
frtyfivsevnty Registered FALaholic #: 6367 Join Date: May 2002 Location: ny Posts: 2,250	I don't remember my serial# off hand but I know it has the proof like Vince's and no 30 marking. __________________ "I'd like to buy your deadliest gun please."-Homer Simpson

June 13, 2006, 20:38	#13
Goose52 Registered FALaholic #: 4994 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,032	Thanks for the info but without the serial number I can't do any data plots ! Goose __________________ Read a good book lately? www.fn49.com

June 13, 2006, 20:42	#14
rpk74dr Registered FALaholic #: 7901 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 890	Didn't get in on your first survey. Luxembourg (AL?) 30.06 Ser#30xx Has .30 marked but about 1/2 back from the slot for the hammer, also no box around .30 If you would like more info or could give me a little history on it shoot me a pm or email.Also needed is a source for spare parts.

June 14, 2006, 20:22	#15
K. Funk Real Life Metallurgist Gold Contributor FALaholic #: 38 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Myerstown, PA Posts: 3,940	LUX 2393, RSA stamped under AL, no .30, no box; does have squiggly proof. krf __________________ The Mason-Dixon FAL Association wants YOU!! Ask me for details. You never know what's going on inside the mind of a crazy man!! Check out username kandainv on Gunbroker; always some neat stuff!! FYB!!!!

June 14, 2006, 20:28	#16
Goose52 Registered FALaholic #: 4994 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,032	Thanks for the data ... Goose __________________ Read a good book lately? www.fn49.com

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