Need help ID'ing a mystery attic gun....

Dentedhead

Dentedhead

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Hi everyone,

I very vaguely remember buying this at auction ten or fifteen years ago, after which I put it in my parents attic and proceeded to promptly forget about it. I just came back to town to visit my parents, and for some reason got curious as to what exactly this beast is. I looked it over, but still have yet to figure out too much about it. I was able to pick out "FAB NAT D'ARMES de GUERRE" and "HERSTAL - BELGIQUE" on the left side of the receiver. Also, there is an "HV" stamped on the butt stock, and a "T" stamped into the wood behind the trigger guard. I am very much more a Lee Enfield guy, so about all I get out of this is that it is Belgian so I decided to ask you, the experts. The gun itself is in great shape with a beautifully smooth action and I would love to take it out to the range. Any information that anyone could provide me about this would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
DH
http://s1139.photobucket.com/albums/n557/dentedhead/Mystery%20Gun/
 
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Thanks for all the help. Technically it was my brother who registered it at the end of the auction as I did not have my FAC at the time - but I do remember handing money over to him to actually pay for the rifle. He is on a trapline in Fort St. John at the moment, so asking him wasn't / isn't really an option. It is a beautiful rifle, though, and all matching numbers to boot.
 
nice rifle....

caliberwise it looks like it is chambetred in 30-06.

This is indicated by the notch in the front ring of the action, which facilitates loading the longer 30-06 cartridge..
 
That looks like my 1935 Venezuelan model 1924 "Short Rifle" - contract mauser made by FN... if I were a betting man, I would say that's what it is.

BTW, the receiver was blued at some point, as they came "in white". They also originally came in 7mm Mauser (7x57). I don't know if yours was converted to 30-06 or not. It appears the Venezuelan crest was ground off?

No matter, a nice solid rifle with a smooth action!

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more pictures of different angles here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25437334@N02/sets/72157624961033258/
 
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I think Venezuela ground off the crests of their rifles they sold as surplus.

I also found another possible match to the Columbian FN model 1930 short rifle.

At the moment it is hard to say because FN sold alot of their short rifles into South America during the early 20th century. Are you able to get a shot of the receiver and any markings on the metal and stock ? it was a habit by some of the South American countries to put a property mark on their service rifles. Lets hope yours are intact and haven't been scrubbed.

Heck of a nice attic find, wish I could bump into one of those babies in my attic instead of all the dust and insulation.

If you are not sure what caliber she is in, I would take her to a gun smith to double check.
 
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