Fn 49

[Combat-wombat]

My friend said his dad had a new gun, so I obviously asked "Can I come over and see it?". They didn't know anything about the gun, only that that they had bought it from some guy. So I look at the gun, it seems kinda farmiliar, then I read the marking "Fabrique Nationale" on the side of the reciever, and the light bulb goes off in my head. Aha! This is an FN-49! I tell my friend's dad I think it's worth a good amount of money, and he says he'll give it to me for $200. It appears to be in fine condition, though I am no expert on surplus firearms. Still has traces of cosmoline or whatever on it.

I think my parents are willing to buy it.

What do y'all think? How much is it worth? It's chambered in 8mm Mauser, which is why this guy wants to sell it (cost of ammo). That's all I know.

 

[SDC]

If it's in 8mm, it's likely one of the Egyptian ones (crest on the chamber, with Arabic serial number); because of the chambering, a lot of these rifles were shot with corrosive ammo and then left to rot, but if the bore and gas cylinder are still in good shape, go for it.

 

[Murphster]

CAI imported some Egyptians in the 80's and put new stocks (with black plastic buttplates) on them. The other Egyptians (if that's what it is) will have what is obviously older wood on them. Recently had and sold a beautiful one. Ditto with what SDC said about the corrosive ammo. BUT, here in mid-America, the going price for them seems to be $375 to $425 at the gun shows and some of those are pretty ratty. The guns have an interesting history if you want to look into it. Mine was in really good shape. Got rid of it because it had a nasty habit of developing the worst jam of any rifle I've ever owned about once every fifty rounds. Required disassembly and blood to clear each time. Plenty of cheap 8mm ammo around to blast with. The $200 price they're quoting you would be hard to pass up. You can't lose money; you can always sell it for that or more.

 

[Tamara]

$200 is a steal for a good, shootable FN-49. I'd say "go for it."

Like others have noted, beware of cheap corrosive surplus unless you're willing to perform proper maintenance every time you shoot.

 

[MrMurphy]

They are solid rifles and the predecessor to the FAL. Learn the proper disassembly procedure (it's a bit complicated at first) and check the bore but otherwise, it's at least a $500-600 rifle if it's in excellent condition.

 

[Combat-wombat]

Yeah, I didn't get a good look at it, just for a second, and the only marking I saw was the "Fabrique Nationale" on the side. I'll see if I can get a closer look at it. Without really inspecting it, the bore looked fine (no rust or anything) but again, that's not a close view and obviously I couldn't get a good look at the gas system.

Also, where might I be able to find the proper disassembly procedure for this gun?

I'm not SURE it's chambered in 8mm, it's just what the guy said. He's no gun expert, so he might be wrong. How could I make sure of what caliber it is?

 

[armoredman]

http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/mb/surplusrifle?forum=21

 

[TNGO]

How could I make sure of what caliber it is?

Mine is stamped "FN49 7.92" on the right side of the barrel, just in front of the bayonet lug.

 

[Combat-wombat]

Ah, okay. I'll check there next time.

 

[JShirley]

Go for it. Quickly.

The FN 49 would be my first choice, if I were choosing an "obsolescent" battle rifle to defend myself with. And they're just plain cool.

John

 

[MrMurphy]

I would choose the M1 Garand over the FN49 as it's more of a tested design (longer in service, fewer bugs) the 49 or SAFN as it's also called only went into service with a few countries,then was generally replaced by the FAL. Egypt got it in 8mm, I think Colombia? Got it in .30-06, as well as Belgium. I believe I have the complete disassembly procedure in a Guns And Ammo Surplus-rifle-issue...... got a friend who HAS an Egyptian 8mm FN49 and I gave one issue of my four to him so he'd know how to take it apart along with several others in that issue he owned but didn't know how to strip (his dad had a literal Gun Room built into the center of his house, they have something like 200+ rifles and shotguns and at least that many pistols and wheelguns, so they've got some stuff hanging around that's a "What the hell is it?" category weapon)

Send me a PM, I'll check up on my reference books for exact specs on the FN49, and I'll check whether I still have the disassembly routine.

 

[telewinz]

odds are it's an Egyptian 8mm mauser restocked by CAI. I have one and it's in excellent shape. FN49's are getting very scare and even the bigger guns shows (at least the ones I attend) seldon offer ANY FN49 for sale. Because of the cheap 8mm ammo, they have increased in demand and cost. If it's in excellent shape...$500 and up easy. Pay the $200 and run.