FN Mauser - Year Manufactured

[merbeau]

Hi

I came across a FN Mauser configured in 25-06 that was in excellent condition and it is now part of my collection. This was my first Mauser type rifle.

On the side of the rifle is The Fabrique Nationale d'Armes de Guerre and underneath is Herstal . Belgique. On that same side there are some symbols with PV and an arrow pointing away from the PV. On the other side is a number stamped 7900. Unfortunately the scope mount is hiding what is on top of the barrel, however, it looks like a crest symbol or perhaps a flower.

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.

This also appears to be a large ring Mauser.

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.

Two photos are attached for viewing.

Does anyone have an idea when this FN action was made?

Thanks

[Mike A]

Chances are very good that if you pull the scope mount off there will be a national crest on the reciever ring and a date of manufacture. (Can't tell what the national crest is from what little is sticking out from under the mount). If there is a national crest, this is a military action that has been re-barreled to .25-06 and had a (apparently very nice) sporter stock added.

Could be any date from the early 1920s to the late 1950s, which is the approximate range of dates that FN was making '98 military rifles (they made earlier Mauser actions earlier). If it is NOT a national/military crest, the rifle was probably made in the 1950s before Browning brand took up most of the FN '98 manufacture for the "Browning High Power" and "Safari" line of sporters. But Husquvarna, Weatherby, and other companies also used commercial FN '98 actions in the 1950s and '60s.

[SVT-40]

It's a Venezuelan 24-30 rifle which has been spoterized. Very high quality FN made action.
Here is a pic of the crest which is partially covered by the scope base. It was made around 1935.

[merbeau]

On target

Hi SVT40 and Mika A

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. Underneath the mount is the national crest of Venezuela. I have attached a photo of it. You guys were correct - with such little information that was impressive!!!

There was a date stamped 15 April 1901 just above the word independencia. Is this the manufacture date? Venezuela's Independece Day, I believe, is 5th July.

I have sent several of the pictures posted on this forum to FN headquarters to see if they can date the manufacture.

The rifle is in really good shape. The blueing on the rifle is nearly perfect. The barrel is heavy varmint with a target crown and is a little long at 27 inches. 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 trigger is crisp with no creep but feels probably 3 to 4 pounds of pull. I was a little hesitant to purchase it at first because I had read that some of the actions were better than others. From what I can read and what SVT-40 indicated these were really good actions.


Thanks

Robert

[Mike A]

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. It isn't the manufacturing date since this model was adopted in 1924.

These pre-war FN Mauser actions are among the best ever made, including the "Mauser Original" actions made at Oberndorf. 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.

In about 1949 FN was able to manufacture with the highest grade steel, equal to their prewar supply. 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???). A little later they became a production item made in West Germany on the same FN actions. They are prized items today.

Do 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. Where the money.....was.

[SVT-40]

Your rifle is a nice sporter. The date you are referring to has nothing to do with the date of manufacture of the rifle. The marks on your rifle are actually April 19th 1810, which is the date of Venezuela's first declaration of independence. As I said before the rifle was made around 1935.

Originally the receiver and bolt were left "in the white" which means they were left in their original color and not 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. In addition the ejector box was also blued.

Your rifle has been refinished in addition to having the barrel changed.

Regarding the proof marks on your rifle.

The " * "over "E" mark is a individual inspectors mark which would mean it passed inspection prior to proofing.

The stylized Lion over l P.V. is the final firing proof after testing showing the rifle withstood three proof loads with charges of 50% over normal.

The final proof which looks like a odd arrow is actually a Belgian "Perron" proof found on most all Belgian firearms.

Many Venezuelan 24/30 rifles in new condition were imported into the US in the 50's and 60's. Of those many were used by gunsmiths to make inexpensive sporting rifles.

Yours is a nice sporter and shooter, however is not worth as much as a similar condition rifle which was left as is and unaltered from it's issued condition.

A unissued FN Venezuelan 24/30 short rifle usually sell for over $700.00

I'm not knocking your rifle at all. Just stating facts related to value.

Later FN commercial actions which are virtually identical to your rifles actions were made explicitly for sporting use bore the FN crest on their receivers.

Here is a photo of a commercial FN action. Notice it bears the same proof marks as your rifle does, however was inspected by a different inspector as it has a " * " over "O" inspectors proof.

[merbeau]

Ok guys thank you for the information. At least the mystery has been solved. I have done an extensive search for the proof marks with no avail - now I know what they mean.

I have a friend who collects military rifles and he always winces when he sees Mausers sportorized. I have not shown him this particular rifle. I now realize why those Weatherbys made in Germany are so prized.

I tend to collect representative firearms in various calibers (as well as shoot a few) that are in really good condition. This one fit the bill.

Unfortunately I have not seen any markings of who built this rilfe.

Again thank you for helping me out. These forums are relly a great resource.