I am looking at this rifle and wonder if anyone here has one and could give me any advise regarding any problems I may encounter or look for. It is, of course, 7X57 caliber. Are parts impossible to find? I always hate to ask anyone for value estimates but, what is a fair price for one in VG to excellent condition. I am not in a position to see it or photograph it yet. Tks. Dave
FN49, Venezuela contract.....
- Thread starter Dantforth
- Start date
I have one and they are very well crafted rifles. My stock was refinished but the "Fuerzas Armadas Venezuela" cartouche is still visible. It shoots S&B 140 gr fmj well.
They are the first foreign and the one of the smallest if not the smallest contract for the FN-49 (approx. 8000 made) They were not in use long before being replaced by the FAL and most I've seen have been in fairly decent shape.
If you can grab yours for around $500.00 in that shape you are doing ok.
They are the first foreign and the one of the smallest if not the smallest contract for the FN-49 (approx. 8000 made) They were not in use long before being replaced by the FAL and most I've seen have been in fairly decent shape.
If you can grab yours for around $500.00 in that shape you are doing ok.
Well, it is on it's way! I couldn't resist. Now I am looking for an original magazine as the one with the rifle has been cut down to 5 rounds, not pinned. I wonder if all magazines would be the same.....30-06, 8mm, 7.62X51.....with only the follower being different for different cartridges? I may also buy a bayonet and sling. Anyone have any ideas where I might find those? Dave
Congrats on the acquisition. Post photos when you get it in hand,, and welcome to the wonderful world of FN49s. Great rifles. I have a three-swivel Egyptian and a very rough Venezuelan. Love 'em both.
Replacement mags will be a bit of a pain unless someone is parting out a rifle.
As for bayonets...the Venezuelan used the long pattern FN 1924-type bayonet, rather than the shorter export model used on the other contracts. You'll need to make sure it's for the FN49 and not for the FN 1924 as the muzzle rings are different. The proper bayos are harder to come by and pricier. Slings? Numrich in the U.S.lists leather slings among its FN49 parts. You takes your chances on condition and correctness though, and it's only cost-effective to buy from Numrich if you've got a long list of bits to order as they ding you a $25 handling fee.
If you can grab a copy of Wayne Johnson's Book on the FN49 (quickly, they're about out of print) it's money well spent, though the prices are rising quickly.
http://www.fn-browning.com/fn-49_the_last_elegant_old_world_military_rifle_book.htm
Replacement mags will be a bit of a pain unless someone is parting out a rifle.
As for bayonets...the Venezuelan used the long pattern FN 1924-type bayonet, rather than the shorter export model used on the other contracts. You'll need to make sure it's for the FN49 and not for the FN 1924 as the muzzle rings are different. The proper bayos are harder to come by and pricier. Slings? Numrich in the U.S.lists leather slings among its FN49 parts. You takes your chances on condition and correctness though, and it's only cost-effective to buy from Numrich if you've got a long list of bits to order as they ding you a $25 handling fee.
If you can grab a copy of Wayne Johnson's Book on the FN49 (quickly, they're about out of print) it's money well spent, though the prices are rising quickly.
http://www.fn-browning.com/fn-49_the_last_elegant_old_world_military_rifle_book.htm
I now have all three books. The newest is a must have! "The FN49 - The rifle that ran out of time" by Blake Stevens. It has wayyy more information than the other two books combined and is printed and distributed here in Canada by Collector Grade Publications.
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=626824
Cheers,
Ian
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=626824
Cheers,
Ian
I pulled out some bayos for comparison pics.
Top is a standard FN M1924 bayo, in this case blued.
Next is the Venzuelan contract bayo for the FN 49, essentially identical to the M1924, except finished in the white with a larger muzzle ring to accomodate the Vennie 49 compensator.
Next down are FN 49 Belgian, Luxemborg and Egyptian contract double edged bayos.
Bottom pic is the size difference between M1924 and Vennie muzzle rings. It is true, the proper contract bayo is getting hard to find, but it is worth the search as when fitted to the FN49 it is an imposing site !!!
Hope this helps.
Top is a standard FN M1924 bayo, in this case blued.
Next is the Venzuelan contract bayo for the FN 49, essentially identical to the M1924, except finished in the white with a larger muzzle ring to accomodate the Vennie 49 compensator.
Next down are FN 49 Belgian, Luxemborg and Egyptian contract double edged bayos.
Bottom pic is the size difference between M1924 and Vennie muzzle rings. It is true, the proper contract bayo is getting hard to find, but it is worth the search as when fitted to the FN49 it is an imposing site !!!
Hope this helps.
FN 49 arrives.....has the one piece firing pin????
Now I am looking for a two piece version with the cut-out for the safety stop. I checked Numrich and they say "sold out". Does anyone have any suggestions. About the rifle....I don't believe it was ever apart. The screw heads are all as new and the finish on the metal is very close to 100%. The wood is also excellent with a few storage marks. Cartouches are clear. All serial numbered parts, including an upper hand guard, are the same. Internals don't look like it was fired much. The firing pin issue bothers me. Rifle is complete. The only flaw is the magazine which was cut down to 5 rounds. I did also notice a couple of parts which were different than my buddies FN 49 Lux model. The recoild spring is two springs with one over the top of the other and there was a small round metal piece protruding fron the stock when remove which has a spring action......I know, I need a book! Dave
Now I am looking for a two piece version with the cut-out for the safety stop. I checked Numrich and they say "sold out". Does anyone have any suggestions. About the rifle....I don't believe it was ever apart. The screw heads are all as new and the finish on the metal is very close to 100%. The wood is also excellent with a few storage marks. Cartouches are clear. All serial numbered parts, including an upper hand guard, are the same. Internals don't look like it was fired much. The firing pin issue bothers me. Rifle is complete. The only flaw is the magazine which was cut down to 5 rounds. I did also notice a couple of parts which were different than my buddies FN 49 Lux model. The recoild spring is two springs with one over the top of the other and there was a small round metal piece protruding fron the stock when remove which has a spring action......I know, I need a book! Dave
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Not a major concern.
Mine has one piece also. Never an issue.
Just make sure the gas system is properly setup to positively eject the case and that the hammer is caught by the sear.
Load one round at a time into the mag. Fire. Hold open should engage.
If you reload, use hard rifle primers.
Mine has one piece also. Never an issue.
Just make sure the gas system is properly setup to positively eject the case and that the hammer is caught by the sear.
Load one round at a time into the mag. Fire. Hold open should engage.
If you reload, use hard rifle primers.
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