Fabrique Nationale FN Model .22 Pump Action Repeater “The Trombone” Blued 22” Pump Action Takedown Rifle, MFD 1977
SOLD FOR:$1,104.00
LSB#: 160503SH15
Make: Fabrique Nationale
Model: .22 Pump Action Repeater nicknamed “The Trombone”
Serial Number: 141373
Year of Manufacture: 1977 (A total of about 150,000 of these rifles were made between 1922 and 1974. The author of http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=539087 indicates that rifles with serial numbers in the 143-144,000 range were made in 1972, which seems reasonable given the total number of guns produced and would have given this rifle a date of manufacture between 1970 and 1972. However, the “p” date code on the trigger guard forward tang indicates 1977, and we surmise that perhaps this rifle was assembled after production ceased from left over parts. Also, although not definitive, the “* / M” inspector markings found on the barrel were supposedly not used between 1968 and 1974. The serial number is too high to have been made in 1968. )
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Action Type: Pump Action with ¾ Length 11 Round Tubular Magazine
Markings: The underside of the barrel in front of the magazine is marked “141373”. The left side of the barrel at the receiver is marked “22 L”, with a “* / M” inspection mark (Maurice Scorpion, 1959-1968 and 1974-1990), a “Lion / PV” nitro proof mark, a “Crown / R” rifled barrel proof and a crowned oval with “E / LG / *” in the center (definitive black powder proof). The left side of the barrel at the base of the front sight is marked “F”. The right side of the bolt is marked with a “Lion / PV”, “* / M” and a Perron. The top of the barrel is marked “FABRIQUE NATIONALE D’ARMES DE GUERRE – HERSTAL – BELGIQUE / BROWNING’S PATENT DEPOSE”. The left side of the tang in front of the trigger guard is marked “p” (1977 date code) and “^ / J”. The left top surface of the tang in front of the trigger guard and the right rear face of the receiver are marked “373”.
Barrel Length: 22”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blued bead dovetailed into the barrel. The rear sight is a flat-topped “U” notched elevator sight dovetailed into the top of the barrel and secured with a screw. The top of the receiver is grooved for scope mounts.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece walnut with a light colored lacquered finish. The buttstock has a smooth pistol grip with a rounded knob and there is a plain blued steel shotgun style buttplate on the butt. The forend has 15 grooves. The bottom of the grip and the belly have a dark burl pattern. There is a tiny ding in the left side of the grip, a drag line at the right side of the toe, a small ding at the toe and a few more tiny marks in the toe area. There are no marks in the forend. The LOP measures 13 ½” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate, which shows no marks and is in Excellent condition. The stocks rate in about Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: The finish is blued.
Finish Originality: All Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its metal finish. There is a long light scratch down the left side of the barrel between the muzzle and the magazine tube, with scratch through the finish and a few small marks on the left side at the front of the magazine tube. There is also an area of thinning on the underside of the magazine tube from rubbing on its barrel hanger. There are a few very light marks on the left side of the receiver. The knurling at the front of the magazine tube is sharp. The screw heads are sharp and the markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The slide release is located in front of the trigger and the safety is a cross-bolt through the back of the trigger guard. The magazine tube moves with the slide as it is opened and closed. The action comes apart easily with a serrated screw on the left side of the receiver. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: FN and Remington both produced pump action gallery type rifles based on John Browning’s patent. FN produced its .22 Pump-Action Repeater in Europe between 1922 and 1974 and Remington manufactured their Model 12 and 121 rifles between 1909 and 1954, so apparently there was an agreement between them that the FN produced models would not be exported into the United States, although they were available in Canada. Because of its slide action, with the magazine tube moving with the slide, the FN design was nicknamed “The Trombone”. About 150,000 were manufactured between 1922 and 1974, although from the date code on the trigger guard’s forward tang, this rifle was not produced until 1977. Were it not for the date code, we would have pegged the DOM at 1970-1972. This is a beautiful rifle, so please see our pictures. The walnut stock has a light colored lacquer finish, a pistol grip with a rounded knob at the bottom of the grip, and a grooved forend. The rifle is in about Excellent condition with about 98% of its original finish remaining. There is a light scratch at the left front of the barrel and a scratch and several small marks through the finish on the left side of the barrel at the front of the magazine tube. There is an area of thinning on the underside of the magazine tube from rubbing on its barrel hanger and a few light marks in the left side of the receiver. The wood shows a few marks and tiny dings in the toe area and a light ding in the left side of the grip. The bore is bright with sharp rifling. The Trombone is somewhat rare in the United States, and most seen here were brought in from Canada. For that reason, they don’t have much of a following, but this rifle is so well preserved, we think the collectors will still be interested. Anyone with a collection of gallery pumps, especially the Remington Model 12s , should be interested in this rifle.
