FN 49 RIFLE
AFN 49 8 MM Mauser (Automatic version)
FN 49
FN 49 Blueprints
Calibers: 7x57 mm, 7.65x57 mm, 7.92x57mm, .30-06 (7.62x63mm)
Action: Gas operated, tilting bolt
Overall length: 1116 mm
Barrel length: 590 mm
Weight: 4.31 kg
Magazine: 10 rounds, non-detachable
The SAFN-49 rifle (Semi-Automatic, FN, model of 1949) was developed by the famous Belgian company Fabrique Nationale Herstal.
The development of a semiautomatic rifle for the FN began in the late 1930s under the leadership of the firearms designer Dieudonne Saive. The work at FN was suspended during the German occupation of Belgium, but Saive and his team managed to escape to UK and continued to work there during the German occupation of Belgium. As soon as Belgium was liberated, Saive returned home and resumed work on the new rifle.
At some point, and is not at all clear when -During or after WWII- the new Infantry Rifle (later known as FN 49) was offered to the british army forces, and known in Britain as SLEM -Self Loading Experimental Rifle- or EXP 1 -Experimental 1-, 50 units were made, tested, and eventually rejected, some authors say that, that, was caused for a technical problem as some others say that the rejection was caused by a budget cut at the British War Ministry.
The SLEM was made in 7.92X57 MM and in 1949, changed its name to FN 49. There are small external differences (The stock and some protection for the frontal and rear sight) and a different magazine, but it is the same gun.
The FN 49 was then adopted by the Belgian army in 1949. Also known as the FN-49, this rifle also was bought by various countries and in various calibers. It was used by the Egypt, Indonesia, Brazil, Venezuela, Luxembourg, Argentine, Congo, Colombia and probably some other countries. It was also tested in the USA and Great Britain.
The SAFN-49 is a gas operated, semi-automatic, magazine fed rifle. Selective version of this rifle was manufactured in noticeable quantities (176.000 Aprox).
SAFN-49 used a short-piston stroke gas drive, with gas chamber and a gas piston-tappet located above the barrel.
The gas piston has its own separate return spring. The tilting bolt is linked to the bolt carrier, and tilts down to lock into the floor of the milled steel receiver. Charging handle is mounted at the right side of the bolt carrier and reciprocates when gun is fired.
The SAFN-49 is fed from non-detachable, box magazine that holds 10 cartridges. Magazine can be loaded through the receiver opening with loose cartridges or standard 5-rounds stripper clips. Magazine has a bolt catch which holds the bolt open after the last round from magazine is fired.
The gas chamber features a gas regulator which also can be used as a gas cut-off, which is required to fire rifle grenades. Barrel is equipped with muzzle flash hider and a bayonet mount.
