FN 49 INFANTRY RIFLE  - BLUEPRINTS - By Jorge Slipak

FN  49  Magazine 7.62 x 51 Argentina

  FN 49 Magazine (10 Rounds)

Tokarev SVT 40

 FN 49 Remade in Argentina for 7.62 x 51 Cartridge and detachable Magazines of 20 rounds - FN 49 Modificado en Argentina Para 762x51 y cargadores intercambiables de 20 cartuchos.

 FN 49 Rifle

 FN 49 with adapted BAR light machine gun magazine.
 

 SLEM Rifle (1947)

L1A1 Rifle

 Fig 1A

 Fig 1B (SLEM Rifle)

 Fig 1C (SLEM Rifle)

FN 49 RIFLE

 AFN 49 8 MM Mauser (Automatic version)

FN 49

SLEM RIFLE (United kingdom - 7.92x57/8 mm Mauser)

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.

The single-piece stock is made from wood and has a semi-pistol grip and a separate upper handguard. Front sight is mounted on the gas chamber and is protected by two side "wings", rear sight is of adjustable diopter type and is mounted at the rear of the receiver. Special scope mount can be installed at the left side of the receiver. The safety switch is located just above the triggerguard at the right side of the gun. When safety is engaged, the safety switch lever protrudes into the triggerguard to interfere with trigger finger, so the state of the safety could be inspected without the single look at it.