The FN model 49

Hmmm, I thought I picked up a Luxi. The only receiver markings are the serial numbers and "Fabrique Nationale D'Armes de Guerre _ Herstal Belgique" on the right side of the receiver. Serial number is 5 digits long. It is in 30-06.

That serial number doesn't match the format you noted.
 
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Look at the top of the chamber, if it has been "scrubbed" i.e. chamber crest removed, then it is Belgian contract rifle, which are common in Canada (relatively speaking of course).
 
Since it has the scrubbed crest and FN script on the right side, it is a later receiver pattern, not milled for the scope rail. Closest identification of date of manufacture is 1952-53.
 
Got some pictures finally...

Belgian 1952/53 era fn49.

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Thanks. Like I said, ink wasn't even dry on the consignment papers. I felt bad for the seller as I met him a month earlier and saw him shoot it. To walk into the store and see him liquidating some firearms was sad but I couldn't pass it up.
 
I'm not sure myself. Given the lack of any engraving on the top of the receiver I assume it has been scrubbed, and that the scrub would indicate refurb but I really don't know. The gun feels like it came off the assembly line yesterday. Like new. Very well cared for.

An indicator of refurb is the finger groove on the forestock, the edge should be very sharp. Any sanding tends to round that edge.
 
Thanks. Like I said, ink wasn't even dry on the consignment papers. I felt bad for the seller as I met him a month earlier and saw him shoot it. To walk into the store and see him liquidating some firearms was sad but I couldn't pass it up.

Don't feel bad, if he had of wanted to keep it, he would have. I gave him crap for it because it was so nice, but he's ok with it. And frankly, your eyeballs popped when you saw it that first time, so it couldn't have gone to a better home. Have fun, shoot well. Life's short!
 
Don't feel bad, if he had of wanted to keep it, he would have. I gave him crap for it because it was so nice, but he's ok with it. And frankly, your eyeballs popped when you saw it that first time, so it couldn't have gone to a better home. Have fun, shoot well. Life's short!

Actually, it appears that this particular rifle was mine prior to the fellow fenceline purchased it from.
It is simply amazing to think that I am now "re-united" with it online some 4 years later.

I'm still kicking myself to this day for selling it, but am very glad it has gone to a good home! :D
 
Ok so here is a question for SAFN-49 experts. I recently got a Venezuelan SAFN-49 in 7mm Mauser. I already switched out the single piece firing pin for a two piece so I am ready to go to the range. My question is what stripper clips (chargers) does it use? I tried both Swedish Mauser and K98 style clips (chargers) and the K98 is too small but the Swedish Mauser clips don't go down far enough to strip properly. Any help is appreciated.

P.S. if someone can tell me what type of stripper clip (charger) it uses I can put up a photo of the rifle with the proper bayonet attached (the M24/49 sword bayonet) as I haven't found a picture on the internet of the bayonet actually being attached to the rifle.
 
Look at the little "nubs" on the stripper clips. They should have 1, 2, or 3 "nubs" on either side of the clip. Now, you'll most likely want the 3 nub kind, or the ones with the nubs at the top/bottom of the clip. Then you don't push the clip straight down into the guide and into the magazine because then you will notice it doesn't go down far enough to strip the rounds into the mag. What you have to do is place the stripper clip at an angle (with the bottom of the clip forward and up) with the top nub positioned to lock into the stripper slip guide. Then you rock it forward into the guide, and strip the rounds in! :)

It works just like the clip guide on the Egyptian Hakim as well.

Here is a photo I nabbed off the interwebs:

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