Rhodesian FAL Lower (Need some help on history)

saigamantx · June 22, 2012, 21:09

Picked up a Rhodesian FAL lower and I noticed some things about it
1.It's not hand scratched but very clean machine etched
2.The number I found was 188 the fully built Rhody I have is well into the 6 digit number range
3. The rear sight is fatter somewhat then my built one.
4.The locking latch for the lower looks fatter as well.
5.The original finish was blued while my built on is a Black paint.

What do I have here?

**embatp** · June 22, 2012, 21:37

pics....

saigamantx · June 22, 2012, 21:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by embatp

pics....

SmokeEater2 · June 22, 2012, 21:55

Oooh Dat's just so Rhodie!

[IMG]

[/IMG]

**embatp** · June 22, 2012, 22:04

looks like a standard rhodie/SA lower....

RPBII · June 22, 2012, 22:11

How about showing pictures of the markings and proof-marks on the lower.

**def90** · June 22, 2012, 22:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPBII

How about showing pictures of the markings and proof-marks on the lower.

Yeah, proof marks and the serial number locations will tell you much more than what you have posted.

saigamantx · June 23, 2012, 13:49

Ok guys this is what I could get. Above is my built up R1 and below is the new lower.

NEW Lower

Again I noticed the serial number on the new lower is only 3 digits while my built up one is way into the 6 digit serial range.

RPBII · June 23, 2012, 14:39

The lower is probably Belgian made. The wide rear sights have been said to be South African.

Is there any numbers stamped on the inside?
Is there any stampings under the pistol grip?
Any stampings on the rear sight?

Your built rifles lower is South African made. South African made rifles started at 200,000 and went up to near mid 300,000 in the serial # range.

**Hoot G** · June 23, 2012, 23:56

I can't help much with what it is, but I can tell you it's not an FN made South Africa Defense Force contract FAL. First contract used a Type 1 trigger housing, the second contract has the serial number has a different font, and is in a different place. Neither is it a standard RSA built FAL. That's not the way they stamped the s/n (unless it was done that way to disguise it's origin).

Is there another s/n hidden by the take down lever?

My understanding is that the fat rear sight is probably South African, although that style may have been used by other countries.

The red 2 was most likely put there after Rhodesia became Zimbabwe.

Nice!

saigamantx · June 24, 2012, 01:38

No mate I cannot find a single serial number on it minus the one in the picture.

This one has me stumped but I'd love to find out what it is.

**Hoot G** · June 24, 2012, 03:57

If there are no proof marks, it might be RSA made for clandestine sales. They did some of that, and I don't know of anyone else that did. Or it may be something else. Sorry, I can't do any better than that.

Unfortunately, clandestine is tough to figure out.

saigamantx · June 26, 2012, 23:54

Hoot.

I found out it was most likely Zimb paint job so I stripped it (It's for my mom as a surprise.)

I did find out after stripping it is indeed blued finish and the Rhodesian etched number matches the machine stamped 188 number.

**Hoot G** · June 27, 2012, 02:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by saigamantx

Hoot.

I found out it was most likely Zimb paint job so I stripped it (It's for my mom as a surprise.)

I did find out after stripping it is indeed blued finish and the Rhodesian etched number matches the machine stamped 188 number.

It's good to get rid of that Mugabe mess.

And good on ya for lookin' out for Mom!

If it was blued, I really don't think it came from South Africa. I'm pretty sure that all of theirs were paint over park. Maybe not the first contract (Type 1), but everything after that. It's another Rhodesian mystery! It's really cool that the RA number matches the s/n. I haven't seen that very often. Neat!

Best luck with the build, you're gonna have fun getting that together, and I bet your Mom will love it!

June 22, 2012, 21:09	#1
saigamantx Registered FALaholic #: 62768 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 757	Rhodesian FAL Lower (Need some help on history) Picked up a Rhodesian FAL lower and I noticed some things about it 1.It's not hand scratched but very clean machine etched 2.The number I found was 188 the fully built Rhody I have is well into the 6 digit number range 3. The rear sight is fatter somewhat then my built one. 4.The locking latch for the lower looks fatter as well. 5.The original finish was blued while my built on is a Black paint. What do I have here?

June 22, 2012, 21:37	#2
embatp What? Me AR? Silver Contributor FALaholic #: 39856 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: ga. Posts: 1,927	pics.... __________________ "only he is lost who gives himself up for lost" "Fighting Douchebags from the sky When they get hurt, they start to cry 100 men will test today But only 3, will want to stay You've built your FAL, you've passed the test Sell your ARs and all the rest You'll go to Hell and back again But you'll be with, men among men Back at home, the old lady waits The Big Brown Truck, brought 3 more crates He swore this time would be the last But she took his FAL, and shot his ass" ce

June 22, 2012, 21:55	#4
SmokeEater2 Registered Contributor FALaholic #: 10990 Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: NC Arkansas Posts: 3,296	Oooh Dat's just so Rhodie! [IMG][/IMG] __________________ "A man who is good enough to shed his blood for his country is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards." ~ President Theodore Roosevelt Welcome to New Zimbabwe, Previously known as the United States of America.

June 22, 2012, 22:04	#5
embatp What? Me AR? Silver Contributor FALaholic #: 39856 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: ga. Posts: 1,927	looks like a standard rhodie/SA lower.... __________________ "only he is lost who gives himself up for lost" "Fighting Douchebags from the sky When they get hurt, they start to cry 100 men will test today But only 3, will want to stay You've built your FAL, you've passed the test Sell your ARs and all the rest You'll go to Hell and back again But you'll be with, men among men Back at home, the old lady waits The Big Brown Truck, brought 3 more crates He swore this time would be the last But she took his FAL, and shot his ass" ce

June 23, 2012, 23:56	#10
Hoot G What, me worry? Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 23207 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: South MS Posts: 2,076	I can't help much with what it is, but I can tell you it's not an FN made South Africa Defense Force contract FAL. First contract used a Type 1 trigger housing, the second contract has the serial number has a different font, and is in a different place. Neither is it a standard RSA built FAL. That's not the way they stamped the s/n (unless it was done that way to disguise it's origin). Is there another s/n hidden by the take down lever? My understanding is that the fat rear sight is probably South African, although that style may have been used by other countries. The red 2 was most likely put there after Rhodesia became Zimbabwe. Nice! __________________ Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy. Its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. Winston Churchill Always have a go-to-hell plan.

June 22, 2012, 22:11	#6
RPBII Registered FALaholic #: 19720 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 1,235	How about showing pictures of the markings and proof-marks on the lower.

June 23, 2012, 13:49	#8
saigamantx Registered FALaholic #: 62768 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 757	Ok guys this is what I could get. Above is my built up R1 and below is the new lower. NEW Lower Again I noticed the serial number on the new lower is only 3 digits while my built up one is way into the 6 digit serial range.

June 23, 2012, 14:39	#9
RPBII Registered FALaholic #: 19720 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 1,235	The lower is probably Belgian made. The wide rear sights have been said to be South African. Is there any numbers stamped on the inside? Is there any stampings under the pistol grip? Any stampings on the rear sight? Your built rifles lower is South African made. South African made rifles started at 200,000 and went up to near mid 300,000 in the serial # range.

June 24, 2012, 01:38	#11
saigamantx Registered FALaholic #: 62768 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 757	No mate I cannot find a single serial number on it minus the one in the picture. This one has me stumped but I'd love to find out what it is.

June 24, 2012, 03:57	#12
Hoot G What, me worry? Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 23207 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: South MS Posts: 2,076	If there are no proof marks, it might be RSA made for clandestine sales. They did some of that, and I don't know of anyone else that did. Or it may be something else. Sorry, I can't do any better than that. Unfortunately, clandestine is tough to figure out. __________________ Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy. Its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. Winston Churchill Always have a go-to-hell plan.

June 26, 2012, 23:54	#13
saigamantx Registered FALaholic #: 62768 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 757	Hoot. I found out it was most likely Zimb paint job so I stripped it (It's for my mom as a surprise.) I did find out after stripping it is indeed blued finish and the Rhodesian etched number matches the machine stamped 188 number.

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