SOLD - FN Model 1949 - Egyptian Contract

Description

11/23/21 - This is an excellent example of an FN Model 1949 rifle that was part of an Egyptian military contract. There's minimal bluing loss aside from the magazine, which also has some pitting. There's also an import mark on the barrel.  The FN49 was designed by the Belgian manufacturer Fabrique Nationale before WWII; however, plans to produce the semi-automatic rifle were abandoned when the Germans occupied Belgium. Many FN engineers fled to England during the war and returned to Belgium when it was liberated by the allies in 1944. With their return to Belgium these engineers revitalized their plans for what would eventually become the FN49 (also known as the SAFN short for “semi-automatic FN”).  While the FN49 was high quality in its time, it saw limited production and use because it did not come into production until after WWII and it eventually had to compete with the popular HK G3 and FN FAL rifles which utilized more modern technology. The FN49 was produced for 8 primary contracts. This particular rifle was produced for the second contract which brought 37,641 FN49 rifles to Egypt in 1949.  Many rifles in this contract were used in Suez Crisis in 1956.  As with all Egyptian contract FN49s, this rifle is chambered for 7.92x57mm Mauser.  The receiver, stock and barrel are matching serials in Arabic numerals (see photos).   Markings, including the Egyptian crest, are sharp and clear on the receiver.  The stock is in good condition, with original stock disk present. Not many dings and no cracks. Bore is shiny with strong rifling but does have some frost and freckling in the grooves.