Many Venezuelan 24/30 rifles in new condition were imported into the US in the 50's and 60's. The final proof which looks like a odd arrow is actually a Belgian "Perron" proof found on most all Belgian firearms. is the final firing proof after testing showing the rifle withstood three proof loads with charges of 50% over normal. The " * "over "E" mark is a individual inspectors mark which would mean it passed inspection prior to proofing. Your rifle has been refinished in addition to having the barrel changed. In addition the ejector box was also blued. The parts which were originally blued on your rifle were the barrel, both bands as well as their retaining springs and the trigger guard and magazine cover. Originally the receiver and bolt were left "in the white" which means they were left in their original color and not blued. As I said before the rifle was made around 1935. The marks on your rifle are actually April 19th 1810, which is the date of Venezuela's first declaration of independence. The date you are referring to has nothing to do with the date of manufacture of the rifle. They are prized items today.ĭo you have any idea who sporterized/barreled your FN? It would be nice to know! There used to be some world-class custom gunsmiths in Southern California. A little later they became a production item made in West Germany on the same FN actions.
![Fn Belgian Mauser Serial Numbers Fn Belgian Mauser Serial Numbers](https://foxalley.weebly.com/uploads/1/3/3/6/133684921/440431226.jpg)
As I mentioned, that was about the time that Roy Weatherby started to use FN '98 actions as the basis of his magnum rifles, which were semi-custom jobs made in the USA to start, I think (Anybody KNOW?). In about 1949 FN was able to manufacture with the highest grade steel, equal to their prewar supply. They are better steel than the FN '98s made right after the war those are OK but the best steel just wasn't available for several years. These pre-war FN Mauser actions are among the best ever made, including the "Mauser Original" actions made at Oberndorf. It isn't the manufacturing date since this model was adopted in 1924. Robert, that 1901 date must have something to do with the adoption of a new constitution or some date that is significant to the Venezuelan military. From what I can read and what SVT-40 indicated these were really good actions. I was a little hesitant to purchase it at first because I had read that some of the actions were better than others.
![Fn Belgian Mauser Serial Numbers Fn Belgian Mauser Serial Numbers](https://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/2011/09/5259135533_0dc41ec4e7_b-1.jpg)
The trigger is crisp with no creep but feels probably 3 to 4 pounds of pull. The rifling is in great shape and the wood is near perfect - it has a Pachmayr recoil pad which dates the rifle to the 1960s. The barrel is heavy varmint with a target crown and is a little long at 27 inches. The blueing on the rifle is nearly perfect. I have sent several of the pictures posted on this forum to FN headquarters to see if they can date the manufacture. Is this the manufacture date? Venezuela's Independece Day, I believe, is 5th July. There was a date stamped 15 April 1901 just above the word independencia. You guys were correct - with such little information that was impressive!!! Underneath the mount is the national crest of Venezuela. Well last night I decided to take the scope base off figuring it probably needed cleaning anyway and I have not had a chance to sight the rifle in at the range. It took awhile to find the bolt release on the left side of the rifle and more time to learn to push the floor plate towards the trigger while depressing the plate pin to remove the assembly and even longer to remove the firing pin.ĭoes anyone have an idea when this FN action was made? This also appears to be a large ring Mauser. The bolt has a flag safety that must have been modified with a Buehler safety because it is a two position with safe on when the flag is turned upward and off when turned to the right which I understand is opposite of the 3 position mauser type. Unfortunately the scope mount is hiding what is on top of the barrel, however, it looks like a crest symbol or perhaps a flower. On the other side is a number stamped 7900. On that same side there are some symbols with PV and an arrow pointing away from the PV.
![Fn Belgian Mauser Serial Numbers Fn Belgian Mauser Serial Numbers](https://images.gunsinternational.com/listings_sub/acc_96/gi_101001435/inch-FN-1950-Mauser-30-06-R21966_101001435_96_CD780AE88953933B.jpg)
On the side of the rifle is The Fabrique Nationale d'Armes de Guerre and underneath is Herstal. I came across a FN Mauser configured in 25-06 that was in excellent condition and it is now part of my collection.