Very short barrelled mystery Mauser
- Thread starter Light Infantry
- Start date
Cottage Hill Bill
CGN Regular
- Location
- Pensacola, FL USA
FN made those carbines. The ones I've seen had crests for either Queen Wilhemina or Queen Juliana and were issued to the Royal Guard mounted troops. 17/18 inch barrel in 8mm Mauser. Folks beside you on the firing line are very aware of your presence when you touch it off.
I've a Peruvian 1935 in 7.65 that is quite similar in profile & handling characteristics. My daughter was behind me when I shot a beaver at dusk last summer...massive ball of flame.
She said " I think I saw the ground move!" In all likelihood it was just the tall grass waving in the muzzle blast.
Lively to say the least...
She said " I think I saw the ground move!" In all likelihood it was just the tall grass waving in the muzzle blast.
Lively to say the least...
- Location
- Steel Town
It looks like a Venezuelan model 1930 ("24/30") Carbine with a scrubbed receiver ring. FN-made.
My old Vene had identical markings on the barrel. Vene's were 7x57 though.
My old Vene had identical markings on the barrel. Vene's were 7x57 though.
I think so too ... according to Olson the short barrel carbine was produced by FN for the Dutch police after WWll and had a 17.32" barrel in 7.9mm; the markings were a letter J (Juliana) or W (Wilhelmina) and the Dutch crown. they also included the name of the police district apparently. I am curious about the abrasions on the barrel and wonder if it has been swapped along with the stock (or rather another action has been substituted for the original?)
Incidentally if it were an FN factory 30/06 there would be a groove for the bullet tip in the upper rear of the receiver ring also the "C" is broached on both sides (so not a "C")
I have only seen photo's of these but they indicate that the action (and rifle) was beautifully finished when factory new - maybe bubba got to this one
Last edited:
X2, surprised it took so long.
FN made then for a bunch of customers in various calibers.Grizz
I had a good look at the abrasions. Its not from a barrel wrench. Its actually from the metal retaining clip that holds the top handguard wood in place. It rubs and scrapes when it is removed and replaced each time. Barrel is definitely original. Serial #'s on the barrel and receiver match, including the script.
Crown cartouche ELG over * = Épreuve Liége - Liége Proof House
The little decorative column looking like Nelson's Column in London is the Perron - a famous Liége landmark - all Belgian long arms made in Liége have this stamped on them, as they do with the stamp above.
All the letters with stars are inspectors stamps.
Crown over PV = Smokeless powder proof
Crown over R - Rifled barrel proof
tac
Not yet, still doing a bit of searching. A couple of minor points still stand out that are causing me confusion. 1) the buttplate is flat and not corrugated and rippled. 2) the hyphen between "HERSTAL" and "BELGIQUE" is a little longer than on some other models I have viewed. As I stated in my original post, I have my suspicions but they are not conclusive. On the weekend I will collect my thoughts and post them I have held off until recently because one possibility is really out there and I also didnt want to taint the opinion of others who are more knowledgeable than I am.
If I hadnt said it before, I will say it now: Thanks guys, you always offer me a ton of information and very well thought out opinions.
