Columbian Mauser

[Mulligan]

Helping Dad to inventory what he has and came across this old Mauser.

on top of the in receiver in front its marked
Colombia Fuerzas Militares

in the rear its marked
.30

The left side of the receiver is marked
FA. NAT. D'ARMES de GUERRE
HERSTAL-BELGIQUE

the right side has no marks other than the serial number

I assume this is a Belgium made Columbian rifle chambered in 30-06. Is this a good assumption?
thanks for the help
CW

 

[Laurie]

It's probably an FN Model 50 manufactured as .30-06 on the basis of the markings. If so, it'll also have a shallow cut-out in the rear edge of the front receiver ring to accommodate the .30-06 bullet tips on loading the rifle, the 1898 action opening being marginally short for the standard M2 30-06 ball round

There are also older originally 7X57 FN and Cz carbines and rifles that were rebored and rechambered in the 1950s to 30-06 and they should have words to the effect of 'R. Famage' followed by the year of conversion on the receiver side. They're not very highly regarded by collectors thanks to the way the conversion was done, the post-war FN built from scratch as 30-06 regarded as superior.

Later still, many had their barrels set back and were rechambered to 7.62 Nato after Colombia adopted an automatic rifle. They are usually prominently marked '7.62' somewhere or other, but you had better check this out anyway to be safe.

 

[Stan Taylor]

Chances are the bolt serial numbers don't match the receiver.

 

[Ggmac]

Check bore dia . Usually on the large side .

 

[jsn]

Does it still have a crest or coat of arms on the top center of the front receiver ring?

 

[Mulligan]

It's probably an FN Model 50 manufactured as .30-06 on the basis of the markings. If so, it'll also have a shallow cut-out in the rear edge of the front receiver ring to accommodate the .30-06 bullet tips on loading the rifle, the 1898 action opening being marginally short for the standard M2 30-06 ball round
Correct, it does have the cut-out you describe.
thanks
CW

 

[Mulligan]

Does it still have a crest or coat of arms on the top center of the front receiver ring?

Yes it does.
Why?
CW

 

[Mulligan]

Chances are the bolt serial numbers don't match the receiver.

you are correct, they do not match.
CW

 

[Laurie]

It sounds very much like an FN Model 1950 then. Google that name with 'Mauser' attached and you'll find lots of information and pics. A number of South American countries including Colombia adopted .30-06 in the 1950s with encouragement from the US government which provided free or subsidised ammunition.

The full company name is Fabrique Nationale D'Armes de Guerre (National factory for weapons of war) and was originally set up in the late 19th Century in the town of Herstal to manufacture a quantity of 7.65mm Mauser M1889 rifles under licence from Mauser for the Belgian government.

It's still around of course, today known as FNH, a large multinational manufacturer with a major US subsidiary FNH-USA which imports, makes, and refurbishes all sorts of weapons.

The M1950 is highly regarded by collectors if in good condition. FN made excellent versions of military Mausers and this will be one of the very last examples made as the company was already working on self-loading military rifles, the first having already been introduced, the M1949, or SAFN. The 1950s were very well made indeed and were beneficiaries of the improved steels that appeared during WW2 and immediately afterwards.

 

[Stan Taylor]

It sounds very much like an FN Model 1950 then. Google that name with 'Mauser' attached and you'll find lots of information and pics. A number of South American countries including Colombia adopted .30-06 in the 1950s with encouragement from the US government which provided free or subsidised ammunition.

The full company name is Fabrique Nationale D'Armes de Guerre (National factory for weapons of war) and was originally set up in the late 19th Century in the town of Herstal to manufacture a quantity of 7.65mm Mauser M1889 rifles under licence from Mauser for the Belgian government.

It's still around of course, today known as FNH, a large multinational manufacturer with a major US subsidiary FNH-USA which imports, makes, and refurbishes all sorts of weapons.

The M1950 is highly regarded by collectors if in good condition. FN made excellent versions of military Mausers and this will be one of the very last examples made as the company was already working on self-loading military rifles, the first having already been introduced, the M1949, or SAFN. The 1950s were very well made indeed and were beneficiaries of the improved steels that appeared during WW2 and immediately afterwards.

You are probably right an then in the ninetys navy arms was selling just the receiver with no bolt there very nice to build custom rifle with they have a RC scale of 30 plus on the scale.

 

[rob67gmc]

Would love to see some pictures.
This one belonged to my Grandfather, given to me when I was around 8 or 9 years old. Chambered in 7.65 Argentine. He cut the stock off to lose a little weight. I learned to shoot and deer hunt with it. Receiver and bolt serial numbers match. Still shoots great. It was issued to the Force Publique of the Belgian Congo in 1949.

 

[Mulligan]