The FN Model 1949,The FN Model 1949 was a semi-automatic rifle popular with many countries around th
The FN Model 1949,The FN Model 1949 was a semi-automatic rifle popular with many countries around the world but produced in limited numbers. Made by Fabrique Nationale, it used a gas operated system that fed from a ten round box magazine and was chambered for many calibers, the most popular being 7.62 Nato, .30-06, and 7x57 Mauser, as well as some others. Originally production of this rifle was set to begin around 1940. The German occupation of Belgium and seizure of its arms factories put a halt to these plans however. When World War II ended FN decided to make another attempt at production. In May 31, 1949 the first contract of Model 1949’s were delivered to Venezuela. The rifle was popular with many Latin American nations (most Latin American models were in .30-06) as well as Egypt, Belgium, Luxembourg, Indonesia, and Congo. The rifle also became the main arm of Belgian forces who fought in the Korean War. While the design may have been advantageous and revolutionary before World War II, in the 1950’s warfare was moving on to the use of select fire assault rifles. Production ended in 1956 with 176,000 being produced. By then the FN M1949 was surpassed in popularity by the FN FAL. -- source link
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