Rifleman Q&A: Curious Semi-Automatic Mauser?

by
posted on May 28, 2021
qa.jpg
Q. I was at a gun show last weekend and saw a large semi-automatic rifle chambered in 8 mm Mauser. It had a 10-round box magazine that appeared to be loaded by stripper clips. It seemed somewhat similar to an M1 Garand as it was quite well-made. I asked the seller about it, and he stated it was Belgian and manufactured by Fabrique Nationale. Could you tell me something more about this rifle?

left side line drawing rifle x-ray view parts mechanical relationship semi-automatic FN-49

A. What you saw was the FN Model 49 semi-automatic rifle. It was originally developed in the 1930s by Fabrique Nationale, shelved during the German occupation, and reintroduced after World War II. It is a gas-operated rifle that utilizes a tilting bolt-locking system quite similar to that of Soviet Tokarev rifles. The rifles are quite robust and well-made and were offered in several chamberings and variations. Although modestly successful, these rifles were obsolete by the post-World War II era, being superseded by more modern designs such as the FN FAL and the U.S. M14 rifle.

A particularly interesting and rare variant of the Model 49 is now being imported by Southern Ohio Gun [(800) 944-4867, www.southernohiogun.com]. It is an Argentine Navy Model 49 (shown above), chambered in .308 Win. and featuring a detachable 20-round magazine.

—Michael O. Humphries

This “Questions & Answers” was featured in the May 2004 issue of American Rifleman. At time of publication, "Questions & Answers" was compiled by Staff, Ballistics Editor William C. Davis, Jr., and Contributing Editors: David Andrews, Hugh C. Birnbaum, Bruce N. Canfield, O. Reid Coffield, Charles Q. Cutshaw, Charles M. Fagg, Angus Laidlaw, Evan P. Marshall, Charles E. Petty, Robert B. Pomeranz, O.D., Jon R. Sundra, Jim Supica, A.W.F. Taylerson, John M. Taylor and John Treakle.

To subscribe to the magazine, visit NRA membership page here and select
American Rifleman as your member magazine.

Latest

heavy machine gun crew with DShK on tripod pointing in air above trees
heavy machine gun crew with DShK on tripod pointing in air above trees

Red Fifty: The Soviet 12.7 mm DShK Heavy Machine Gun

While the Browning .50-cal. M2 machine gun has been unequaled for a century, John Moses Browning’s genius design has had one significant 12.7 mm competitor: the Soviet DShK.

Support The NRA Youth Education Summit (YES) On Giving Tuesday

With more than 1,200 students having graduated from the program and over $700,000 in scholarships awarded since 1996, NRA's YES is an immersive leadership program for high school students eager to learn about the foundations of our nation, the importance of civic engagement and the role of the Second Amendment.

Rifleman Review: Remington 360 Buckhammer

Remington Ammunition's 360 Buckhammer is a straight-wall hunting cartridge that's designed to give deer hunters an ideal round for their Midwestern hunt.

New For 2025: EAA Girsan Witness2311 Brat, Match and MatchX

European American Armory Corp. (EAA) introduced an affordable variation of the double-stack 1911 design with their Girsan Witness2311 in 2023, continually adding additional chamberings and slide length options. New for 2025, the company is adding three new versions of the Witness2311 with the Match, MatchX and Brat models.

Review: Citadel Trakr

At less than 4 lbs., this repeating rifle is easy on the back while also being extraordinarily easy on the budget.

Freedom Munitions To Move Ammo Component Production To Idaho

Freedom Munitions has announced it will be consolidating its projectile component production from X-Treme Bullets out of Nevada into its Lewiston, Idaho, facilities.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.