7/9/19 - This is a very nice example of a rare FN Model 1949 rifle that was part of an Argentine Navy contract. This is a non-import example that comes with three sister contract examples that will be listed concurrently on the Legacy site. The FN49 was designed by the Belgian manufacturer Fabrique Nationale before WWII; however, plans to produce the semi-automatic rifle were abandoned when the Germans occupied Belgium. Many FN engineers fled to England during the war and returned to Belgium when it was liberated by the allies in 1944. With their return to Belgium these engineers revitalized their plans for what would eventually become the FN49, (also known as the SAFN short for “semi-automatic FN”). While the FN49 was high quality in its time, it saw limited production and use because it did not come into production until after WWII and it eventually had to compete with the popular HK G3 and FN FAL rifles which utilized more modern technology. The FN49 was produced for 8 primary contracts. This particular rifle was produced for the Argentine contract of a 5,536 rifles in 1953. In the early 1960s the Argentine navy converted their FN49s to 7.62mm Nato and the magazine was converted from the 10-round fixed magazine to a 20-round detachable magazine which was again later cut down to a 10-round detachable magazine. This particular gun has the 10-round detachable magazine. The gun is all matching, including the stock. Stock is otherwise unmarked, aside from rack number on the right side. There is minor thinning and patina throughout on the receiver, and some more obvious wear and paint chipping on the barrel. The bore is excellent and shiny. This is a non-import example, and are not often found in such configuration. Having said all that, these four examples are the first we've offered and we are not experts on this model. If any of our followers or customers are more educated on these rifles, feel free to email us with any notes on them, or to ask any necessary questions.