FN-49 Survey - Attention FN-49 Owners - Page 2

Goose52 · 05-11-2002, 12:27 AM

Gyrene - On the middle sling swivel, this feature is similar that that used on many of the sniper rifles in the United Kingdom, the LeeEnfield No. 4 Mk1 (T), among others. Perhaps due to the British influence in Egypt this feature was adopted for these last 2,500 Egyptians. This feature is supposedly for an alternate position for the sling in some shooting positions (although I have never read any military tech manual issued by Egypt [or the UK] that would confirm this use).

There are at least 3 different serial number ranges where the Egyptian-contract FN-49s have the scope mount dovetail machined in the left receiver rail. Your rifle is in the highest of these three serial number ranges. The data is showing that just about all Egyptians from around serial number 28XXX up to 359XX (8000 rifles) have the scope cut. As I said before, only the last 2,500 rifles in this range ALSO have the middle sling swivel. Lastly, probably as few as several hundred, or less, rifles in this range have the wood cheekpiece that would indicate a true "sniper" rifle. In addition to the wood cheekpiece, I have seen a photo of an Egyptian "sniper" with a leather cheekpiece but have no idea if it was original equipment.

At any rate, this is a long-winded way of saying that your rifle is in the "sniper" serial number range but was probably never actually a sniper in Egyptian service due to the lack of the cheekpiece and the FN-supplied muzzle brake.

On the survey results as of March 2nd, I posted those on the FAL Board. See my first post on this thread for the link to the results. As I say in all my survey requests, I do not retain any data in the data base other information related to the rifle itself. I don't retain any names in the data nor do I retain, and usually don't know, the geographic region of the respondent. The only exception to this is when I get a response from a foreign country, I make note of that.

My interest is strictly historical in nature. I give up fidelity of my data by requesting that respondents plug in an "X" or 2 in their serial numbers. I'm not running a registration scheme or have any other motive than to just get lots of data about the physical characteristics of the rifles so I can figure out how many were sold to whom, in what configuration, with what features (like scope cuts).

Take a look at the survey summary on the FAL board and you'll see some interesting stuff.

Just FYI - I'm not LEO - I'm a veteran Marine as I guess you are!

Goose

Gyrene · 06-04-2002, 01:02 AM

Goose52 - Maybe I lost it somewhere, but I don't remember where the FAL board, you posted your data to, is located.

Yes, I am a veteran Marine, also not a LEO. First tour June 1950 to January 1951, through Chosen Reservoir, and sent home as I was too young. Second tour 1955 through 1959.

Goose52 · 06-04-2002, 01:40 AM

Gyrene - The survey summary as of March 2nd is posted on the FAL Files board at: http://www.falfiles.com/forums/showt...threadid=33144

I'm a bit younger - I was in from 1970-1978 active, then a few years in the Reserves.

Goose

Gyrene · 06-10-2002, 09:39 PM

Goose52 - Yes, I would say you are a bit younger. I found the site you posted, and it seems to be that some data you had, near 341 FN-49's, was not included because your survey post showed 220 FN-49 rifles. Can we expect all the data as of later than 3/2/2002?

Goose52 · 06-10-2002, 10:27 PM

Gyrene

You're right - as of right now I'm up to 373 rifles in the data base and the survey summary was based on the 220 rifles that I had back on March 2nd. 373 rifles probably represents just about 1% of all FN-49s in the U.S.

The additional rifles have revealed that there is more variance in the Luxembourg contract rifles than perhaps was previously known. As I mentioned to you before, I've identified at least three serial number ranges for scope cuts on the Egyptian contract rifles. Also on the Egyptians the data has just about confirmed that all "Eagle" crested Egyptian rifles were built not by FN, but by Century Arms from new, spare FN-produced receivers (I still need to get that confimed by Century). I have quite a bit more data on sniper models too.

I haven't decided what to do with the additional data yet. I have a whole pile of FN-49 data now, some of it unique, and I want to make sure that it gets captured somewhere. I just don't know whether it should be via publication in a book at one extreme, or just an update of my survey summary at the other extreme. I have at least 300 hours (or more) invested in this research so I do want to make sure that this info doesn't get lost and gets out to the collector community somehow.

Goose

Joe in KY · 06-11-2002, 10:53 AM

Goose, Venezualan 62xx two piece handguard,rear guard screw has lock screw no cartouches anywhere on stock crossbolt through stock in front of action(as in Mausers etc..) crest in usual place on receiver ring
Joe in KY

Goose52 · 06-11-2002, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Joe in KY
. . . no cartouches anywhere on stock crossbolt through stock in front of action(as in Mausers etc..)
Joe in KY

Joe - Thanks for the report. Sounds like you have an atypical stock for a Vennie as you should have the FAV cartouche and no Vennies to date (85 rifles) has had a cross-bolt. I suspect that you have a stock that was originally on a 30-06 chambered FN-49.

Can you tell me what type of buttplate is on this rifle? Is it black, stamped steel, with a trap door?

Let me know . . .

Thanks,

Goose

Gyrene · 06-13-2002, 08:01 PM

Goose52 - I would recommend a book, if you're up to it. Even a pamphlet type book could be marketable. You do have a group of at least 373 potential buyers.

Add some stories of your searches, and comments from the owners.

Goose52 · 06-13-2002, 08:19 PM

Gyrene - Thanks for the encouragement! Counting photographs, I could put together 30 pages easy enough - perhaps more. I do need some better photos and would have a lot of data verification to do. In addition, there's a number of letters that I need to write one of these days to collect data. It's just a lot of work!

Let's see how it goes. I still have a goal of having at least 500 rifles in the data base and have a "laundry list" of other things that I have to do . . .

Thanks again and Semper Fi,

Goose

Holiday · 06-20-2002, 04:27 AM

Greetings!

Egyptian Contract
82xx
Crown
no
no
no

My stock isn't an origional, I think, so the question about the stock crossbolt and the third sling swivel may not be valid. My stock seems to be walnut, in almost new condition, and the handguard is in two pieces. Also, the but plate is plastic, and as far as I can tell, the bolt, reciever, and barrel all have matching numbers. All the numbers on the barrel and bolt are in arabic, but they match the second set of arabic numerals that are set above the English serial number on the reciever. If anyone has any info on this rifle, I'd love to hear it! Feel free to e-mail me, my adress is Holidayhayes@yahoo.com.:target:

Goose52 · 06-20-2002, 08:12 AM

Holiday - Thanks for the report. You just put me up to about 386 rifles in the data base.

The stock on your rifle is most likely a reproduction stock installed by Century Arms as part of their rebuild process. If it is a Century stock (the black plastic buttplate is one of the indentifiers) then it is "walnut-finished" (stained) beechwood.

Just FYI - there are either five or six serial numbers on an FN-49 depending on whether the stock was serial numbered. The other numbers are on the receiver, receiver cover, bolt carrier, bolt, and barrel. You mentioned the bolt, receiver and barrel. The receiver cover should be numbered on the side rail although I have seen some of these where the number was missing (they could have been spare, replacement covers that were fitted after the rifle left FN and were therefore never serialized). Also, your bolt carrier should be serialized and the number, on the Egyptians, is usually located on the rear of the carrier, just below the hole for the recoil spring.

You want to strip your bolt to see if you have a 1-piece or 2-piece firing pin. It's recommended that you fit a 2-piece pin to reduce the likelihood of an out-of-battery slam fire.

There is a pretty good general info web site for FN-49s here: http://walnut.tmcom.com/%7Ejlandry/firearms/FN49.html

If you're interested in what kind of info the survey is turning up you'll see earlier in this thread a link to the survey summary over on the FAL board.

Thanks again for the data

Goose

Gyrene · 08-28-2002, 08:14 PM

Goose52 - I have a Vinnie, now, and it looks very good. In fact it looks as though it had never been taken out of the shipping box, from FN. Because I live in the PRK, I have to wait to have it in hand, to check the things I need to. I can look at it where the FFL has it stored, so if there are some other questions, ask.

It seems to be in better condition than the 8mm Egyptian, and the .308 Argentinian that I already have. Shucks, the Belgie .30-06 got away, up North, and this Vinnie would have completed my collection of FN-49's

Venezuelan Contract (7x57 chambering):

Serial number - 59XX
Have a circular “Fuerzas Armadas Venezuela” cartouche on the right side of the buttstock? - I didn't see one.
Does the rear guard screw (behind trigger guard) have a small lock screw? - I didn't see one.
Optional question: Have a 2-piece or 1-piece handguard? (requires loosening the lower band in order to wiggle the handguards to find out). - I will check this.

Note: It’s generally accepted that all Venezuelans had the scope cut and muzzle brake so I am not surveying for that data. - It has both.

PAPA G · 08-28-2002, 08:21 PM

venuzwaylaaa(can"t spell it) sn7XX onepiece handguard, and lock screw. 7mm mauser.

Goose52 · 08-28-2002, 08:49 PM

Gyrene and PAPA G Can you do me a favor and give me one more digit of your serial numbers? I already have 2 "7XX"s and one "59XX" !

Also, if you both get a chance, can you take a look at the attached pic and let me know which one looks like your trigger guard assembly. The top one has NO lock screw on the rear guard screw, the bottom one DOES HAVE the lock screw.

Thanks guys!

Goose

Gyrene · 08-29-2002, 01:26 AM

Goose52 - I will check the 7 x 57mm FN-49 for all the missing data tomorrow. I should have the serial number, but I only remembered the first 2 numbers.

I know the lock screws are missing, and I have already ordered a couple of sets of lock screws from Numrich - Gun Parts. It is also missing the magazine and its follower and spring, I'm still looking for those.

I looked over a .30-06 magazine, and it is too large, but the 8 x 57mm looked like it should be the same, as it is within .125 of an inch of the same length, front to back, as the .30-06 mag. And I was hoping for better; that the designer Saive would have used the same cutout in the trigger group, and the same magazine with fillers to keep the various cartridges lined up correctly. NOT!!

I found out that there were 20 round magazines made for the FN-49's; in 8 x 57mm, and .30-06 (maybe others). I know that the Argy was converted to .308 ( I got 3 mags for my .308 conversion) and had a .20 round (real removable, and loadable outside the rifle) mag available (but Gyrene, you live in the PRK and can't buy them (unless they were already here)).

PAPA G · 08-29-2002, 07:58 AM

goose52- my sn is X4X, and mine has the three recess screw head. hope it helps

Goose52 · 08-29-2002, 08:15 AM

PAPA G - Thanks for the data!

Gyrene - On magazine box and follower interchangeability, we just had a discussion on that over on the FAL Files. You might want to go to: http://www.falfiles.com/forums/showt...threadid=48174

There were two different 20 round magazines used with original military issue FN-49s.

The first was a 20 round, semi-fixed magazine box identical to the regular 10 round semi-fixed box, just longer. This magazine was made in 30-06 and was intended to provide additional ammunition capacity for the selective fire FN-49s. This magazine box is rare in the U.S. and in any case it would not fit into a 7mm or an 8mm rifle. As you have already detemined, the 30-06 boxes are a bit more than .10" too long to fit.

Also as you already know, the second was the 20 round detachable magazine made for the Argentine-contract FN-49s that were converted from 7.65 to 7.62x51. A 7x57 cartridge will not physically fit into this magazine. Regardless of the cartridge incompatibility, use of THIS magazine in YOUR rifle would involve making a new magazine catch and bolt stop, modifying the trigger guard assembly in several places, and machining away portions of the feed rails on your receiver.

There was never an FN-produced 20 round box for the 7mm or 8mm rifles that I am aware of.

The other accounts that you may of heard about involve converting the rifle to take BAR, FN-D, or MG-13 magazines. Depending on where you live, and how exactly you modify the rifle, and whether or not the magazine will still work in it's originally intended firearm, this conversion may no longer be legal given current laws.

Goose

PAPA G · 08-29-2002, 08:55 AM

yer welcome!!!

Gyrene · 08-30-2002, 01:19 AM

Goose52 - As promised:

Serial number - 596X

Have a circular “Fuerzas Armadas Venezuela” cartouche on the right side of the buttstock? - I didn't see one, because it was covered by the Leather cheek piece. It definitely is there.

Does the rear guard screw (behind trigger guard) have a small lock screw? - I didn't see one, because it was missing, like the other 2 lock screws. The Trigger Housing has 3 mounting screws, each has its own lock screw (but all 3 are missing on my Vinnie). While looking over the 3 FN-49's I have, I found that the Egyptian rifle has only 2 lock screws, which lock the forward most trigger housing screws.

Optional question: Have a 2-piece or 1-piece handguard? (requires loosening the lower band in order to wiggle the handguards to find out). - I will check this. I found that in fact it has a 2 piece handguard.

Note: It’s generally accepted that all Venezuelans had the scope cut and muzzle brake so I am not surveying for that data. - It has both, and what appears to be an aftermarket scope mount system, which uses the factory dovetailed mounting. If I knew how to post a digital picture, I could show you what it looks like.

I believe that the 8 x 57 mm FN-49 Mag is closest to the exact fit. The ammo magazine fits beautifully into the same cutout in the trigger housing. But, the magazine does not lock into the receiver. I am sure that the magazine rear latch is longer on the 8 x 57.

Goose52 · 08-30-2002, 08:09 AM

Gyrene

As it turns out, only the 1st 4000 Vennies and all the Egyptians did NOT have the rear lock screw. You will sometimes find a split washer under the rear guard screw but even that doesn't do a good enough job of holding the screw so FN phased in a design change to incorporate the rear lock screw on all subsequent production.

On the scope mount, does it look anything like the attached pic?

Goose

05-11-2002, 12:27 AM	#21
Goose52 Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 25 Trader Rating: (0)	Gyrene - On the middle sling swivel, this feature is similar that that used on many of the sniper rifles in the United Kingdom, the LeeEnfield No. 4 Mk1 (T), among others. Perhaps due to the British influence in Egypt this feature was adopted for these last 2,500 Egyptians. This feature is supposedly for an alternate position for the sling in some shooting positions (although I have never read any military tech manual issued by Egypt [or the UK] that would confirm this use). There are at least 3 different serial number ranges where the Egyptian-contract FN-49s have the scope mount dovetail machined in the left receiver rail. Your rifle is in the highest of these three serial number ranges. The data is showing that just about all Egyptians from around serial number 28XXX up to 359XX (8000 rifles) have the scope cut. As I said before, only the last 2,500 rifles in this range ALSO have the middle sling swivel. Lastly, probably as few as several hundred, or less, rifles in this range have the wood cheekpiece that would indicate a true "sniper" rifle. In addition to the wood cheekpiece, I have seen a photo of an Egyptian "sniper" with a leather cheekpiece but have no idea if it was original equipment. At any rate, this is a long-winded way of saying that your rifle is in the "sniper" serial number range but was probably never actually a sniper in Egyptian service due to the lack of the cheekpiece and the FN-supplied muzzle brake. On the survey results as of March 2nd, I posted those on the FAL Board. See my first post on this thread for the link to the results. As I say in all my survey requests, I do not retain any data in the data base other information related to the rifle itself. I don't retain any names in the data nor do I retain, and usually don't know, the geographic region of the respondent. The only exception to this is when I get a response from a foreign country, I make note of that. My interest is strictly historical in nature. I give up fidelity of my data by requesting that respondents plug in an "X" or 2 in their serial numbers. I'm not running a registration scheme or have any other motive than to just get lots of data about the physical characteristics of the rifles so I can figure out how many were sold to whom, in what configuration, with what features (like scope cuts). Take a look at the survey summary on the FAL board and you'll see some interesting stuff. Just FYI - I'm not LEO - I'm a veteran Marine as I guess you are! Goose Last edited by Goose52; 05-11-2002 at 04:07 PM.

06-13-2002, 08:01 PM	#28
Gyrene Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: CA Posts: 886 Trader Rating: (0)	Goose52 - I would recommend a book, if you're up to it. Even a pamphlet type book could be marketable. You do have a group of at least 373 potential buyers. Add some stories of your searches, and comments from the owners. Last edited by Gyrene; 09-27-2002 at 09:32 PM.

06-20-2002, 04:27 AM	#30
Holiday Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Alabama,The Heart of Dixie Posts: 18 Trader Rating: (0)	Greetings! Egyptian Contract 82xx Crown no no no My stock isn't an origional, I think, so the question about the stock crossbolt and the third sling swivel may not be valid. My stock seems to be walnut, in almost new condition, and the handguard is in two pieces. Also, the but plate is plastic, and as far as I can tell, the bolt, reciever, and barrel all have matching numbers. All the numbers on the barrel and bolt are in arabic, but they match the second set of arabic numerals that are set above the English serial number on the reciever. If anyone has any info on this rifle, I'd love to hear it! Feel free to e-mail me, my adress is Holidayhayes@yahoo.com.:target: __________________ Holiday Cowboy Action Shooter Surrounded? Yes. Outmanuvered? Maybe. Outclassed? NEVER!! Last edited by Holiday; 06-20-2002 at 04:43 AM.

08-30-2002, 01:19 AM	#39
Gyrene Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: CA Posts: 886 Trader Rating: (0)	Goose52 - As promised: Serial number - 596X Have a circular “Fuerzas Armadas Venezuela” cartouche on the right side of the buttstock? - I didn't see one, because it was covered by the Leather cheek piece. It definitely is there. Does the rear guard screw (behind trigger guard) have a small lock screw? - I didn't see one, because it was missing, like the other 2 lock screws. The Trigger Housing has 3 mounting screws, each has its own lock screw (but all 3 are missing on my Vinnie). While looking over the 3 FN-49's I have, I found that the Egyptian rifle has only 2 lock screws, which lock the forward most trigger housing screws. Optional question: Have a 2-piece or 1-piece handguard? (requires loosening the lower band in order to wiggle the handguards to find out). - I will check this. I found that in fact it has a 2 piece handguard. Note: It’s generally accepted that all Venezuelans had the scope cut and muzzle brake so I am not surveying for that data. - It has both, and what appears to be an aftermarket scope mount system, which uses the factory dovetailed mounting. If I knew how to post a digital picture, I could show you what it looks like. I believe that the 8 x 57 mm FN-49 Mag is closest to the exact fit. The ammo magazine fits beautifully into the same cutout in the trigger housing. But, the magazine does not lock into the receiver. I am sure that the magazine rear latch is longer on the 8 x 57. Last edited by Gyrene; 08-30-2002 at 01:23 AM.

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06-04-2002, 01:02 AM	#22
Gyrene Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: CA Posts: 886 Trader Rating: (0)	Goose52 - Maybe I lost it somewhere, but I don't remember where the FAL board, you posted your data to, is located. Yes, I am a veteran Marine, also not a LEO. First tour June 1950 to January 1951, through Chosen Reservoir, and sent home as I was too young. Second tour 1955 through 1959.

06-04-2002, 01:40 AM	#23
Goose52 Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 25 Trader Rating: (0)	Gyrene - The survey summary as of March 2nd is posted on the FAL Files board at: http://www.falfiles.com/forums/showt...threadid=33144 I'm a bit younger - I was in from 1970-1978 active, then a few years in the Reserves. Goose

06-10-2002, 09:39 PM	#24
Gyrene Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: CA Posts: 886 Trader Rating: (0)	Goose52 - Yes, I would say you are a bit younger. I found the site you posted, and it seems to be that some data you had, near 341 FN-49's, was not included because your survey post showed 220 FN-49 rifles. Can we expect all the data as of later than 3/2/2002?

06-10-2002, 10:27 PM	#25
Goose52 Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 25 Trader Rating: (0)	Gyrene You're right - as of right now I'm up to 373 rifles in the data base and the survey summary was based on the 220 rifles that I had back on March 2nd. 373 rifles probably represents just about 1% of all FN-49s in the U.S. The additional rifles have revealed that there is more variance in the Luxembourg contract rifles than perhaps was previously known. As I mentioned to you before, I've identified at least three serial number ranges for scope cuts on the Egyptian contract rifles. Also on the Egyptians the data has just about confirmed that all "Eagle" crested Egyptian rifles were built not by FN, but by Century Arms from new, spare FN-produced receivers (I still need to get that confimed by Century). I have quite a bit more data on sniper models too. I haven't decided what to do with the additional data yet. I have a whole pile of FN-49 data now, some of it unique, and I want to make sure that it gets captured somewhere. I just don't know whether it should be via publication in a book at one extreme, or just an update of my survey summary at the other extreme. I have at least 300 hours (or more) invested in this research so I do want to make sure that this info doesn't get lost and gets out to the collector community somehow. Goose

06-11-2002, 10:53 AM	#26
Joe in KY Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 4 Trader Rating: (0)	Goose, Venezualan 62xx two piece handguard,rear guard screw has lock screw no cartouches anywhere on stock crossbolt through stock in front of action(as in Mausers etc..) crest in usual place on receiver ring Joe in KY

06-13-2002, 08:19 PM	#29
Goose52 Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 25 Trader Rating: (0)	Gyrene - Thanks for the encouragement! Counting photographs, I could put together 30 pages easy enough - perhaps more. I do need some better photos and would have a lot of data verification to do. In addition, there's a number of letters that I need to write one of these days to collect data. It's just a lot of work! Let's see how it goes. I still have a goal of having at least 500 rifles in the data base and have a "laundry list" of other things that I have to do . . . Thanks again and Semper Fi, Goose

06-20-2002, 08:12 AM	#31
Goose52 Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 25 Trader Rating: (0)	Holiday - Thanks for the report. You just put me up to about 386 rifles in the data base. The stock on your rifle is most likely a reproduction stock installed by Century Arms as part of their rebuild process. If it is a Century stock (the black plastic buttplate is one of the indentifiers) then it is "walnut-finished" (stained) beechwood. Just FYI - there are either five or six serial numbers on an FN-49 depending on whether the stock was serial numbered. The other numbers are on the receiver, receiver cover, bolt carrier, bolt, and barrel. You mentioned the bolt, receiver and barrel. The receiver cover should be numbered on the side rail although I have seen some of these where the number was missing (they could have been spare, replacement covers that were fitted after the rifle left FN and were therefore never serialized). Also, your bolt carrier should be serialized and the number, on the Egyptians, is usually located on the rear of the carrier, just below the hole for the recoil spring. You want to strip your bolt to see if you have a 1-piece or 2-piece firing pin. It's recommended that you fit a 2-piece pin to reduce the likelihood of an out-of-battery slam fire. There is a pretty good general info web site for FN-49s here: http://walnut.tmcom.com/%7Ejlandry/firearms/FN49.html If you're interested in what kind of info the survey is turning up you'll see earlier in this thread a link to the survey summary over on the FAL board. Thanks again for the data Goose

08-28-2002, 08:14 PM	#32
Gyrene Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: CA Posts: 886 Trader Rating: (0)	Goose52 - I have a Vinnie, now, and it looks very good. In fact it looks as though it had never been taken out of the shipping box, from FN. Because I live in the PRK, I have to wait to have it in hand, to check the things I need to. I can look at it where the FFL has it stored, so if there are some other questions, ask. It seems to be in better condition than the 8mm Egyptian, and the .308 Argentinian that I already have. Shucks, the Belgie .30-06 got away, up North, and this Vinnie would have completed my collection of FN-49's Venezuelan Contract (7x57 chambering): Serial number - 59XX Have a circular “Fuerzas Armadas Venezuela” cartouche on the right side of the buttstock? - I didn't see one. Does the rear guard screw (behind trigger guard) have a small lock screw? - I didn't see one. Optional question: Have a 2-piece or 1-piece handguard? (requires loosening the lower band in order to wiggle the handguards to find out). - I will check this. Note: It’s generally accepted that all Venezuelans had the scope cut and muzzle brake so I am not surveying for that data. - It has both.

08-28-2002, 08:21 PM	#33
PAPA G Guest Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: somerset, kentucky Posts: 12 Trader Rating: (0)	venuzwaylaaa(can"t spell it) sn7XX onepiece handguard, and lock screw. 7mm mauser.

08-29-2002, 01:26 AM	#35
Gyrene Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: CA Posts: 886 Trader Rating: (0)	Goose52 - I will check the 7 x 57mm FN-49 for all the missing data tomorrow. I should have the serial number, but I only remembered the first 2 numbers. I know the lock screws are missing, and I have already ordered a couple of sets of lock screws from Numrich - Gun Parts. It is also missing the magazine and its follower and spring, I'm still looking for those. I looked over a .30-06 magazine, and it is too large, but the 8 x 57mm looked like it should be the same, as it is within .125 of an inch of the same length, front to back, as the .30-06 mag. And I was hoping for better; that the designer Saive would have used the same cutout in the trigger group, and the same magazine with fillers to keep the various cartridges lined up correctly. NOT!! I found out that there were 20 round magazines made for the FN-49's; in 8 x 57mm, and .30-06 (maybe others). I know that the Argy was converted to .308 ( I got 3 mags for my .308 conversion) and had a .20 round (real removable, and loadable outside the rifle) mag available (but Gyrene, you live in the PRK and can't buy them (unless they were already here)).

08-29-2002, 07:58 AM	#36
PAPA G Guest Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: somerset, kentucky Posts: 12 Trader Rating: (0)	goose52- my sn is X4X, and mine has the three recess screw head. hope it helps

08-29-2002, 08:15 AM	#37
Goose52 Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 25 Trader Rating: (0)	PAPA G - Thanks for the data! Gyrene - On magazine box and follower interchangeability, we just had a discussion on that over on the FAL Files. You might want to go to: http://www.falfiles.com/forums/showt...threadid=48174 There were two different 20 round magazines used with original military issue FN-49s. The first was a 20 round, semi-fixed magazine box identical to the regular 10 round semi-fixed box, just longer. This magazine was made in 30-06 and was intended to provide additional ammunition capacity for the selective fire FN-49s. This magazine box is rare in the U.S. and in any case it would not fit into a 7mm or an 8mm rifle. As you have already detemined, the 30-06 boxes are a bit more than .10" too long to fit. Also as you already know, the second was the 20 round detachable magazine made for the Argentine-contract FN-49s that were converted from 7.65 to 7.62x51. A 7x57 cartridge will not physically fit into this magazine. Regardless of the cartridge incompatibility, use of THIS magazine in YOUR rifle would involve making a new magazine catch and bolt stop, modifying the trigger guard assembly in several places, and machining away portions of the feed rails on your receiver. There was never an FN-produced 20 round box for the 7mm or 8mm rifles that I am aware of. The other accounts that you may of heard about involve converting the rifle to take BAR, FN-D, or MG-13 magazines. Depending on where you live, and how exactly you modify the rifle, and whether or not the magazine will still work in it's originally intended firearm, this conversion may no longer be legal given current laws. Goose

08-29-2002, 08:55 AM	#38
PAPA G Guest Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: somerset, kentucky Posts: 12 Trader Rating: (0)	yer welcome!!!