FN Deluxe Commercial Mauser .30-06 Bolt Action Rifle Armstrong Sight C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,007.01

LSB#: LSB260503DF014

Make: Fabrique Nationale d’Armes de Guerre, Herstal, Belgium

Model: Deluxe Commercial Mauser

Serial Number: 4434. The receiver, barrel, and bolt handle are matching.

Year of Manufacture: Circa late 1940s to early 1950s / C&R Eligible

Caliber: .30-06 Springfield

Action Type: Controlled-round-feed Mauser-pattern bolt action rifle fed by a fixed internal box magazine with a hinged floorplate.

Markings: The receiver ring is engraved with the intertwined FN monogram within an oval border. The left receiver rail is marked “FAB. NAT. D’ARMES DE GUERRE HERSTAL-BELGIQUE”. The barrel is marked “30-06 CAL.”, “CHROME VANADIUM STEEL”, and “MADE IN BELGIUM”. The receiver, barrel, and bolt handle are marked “4434”. Belgian commercial proof and inspection marks are present on the barrel and receiver.

Barrel Length: Approximately 24”, round, with a stepped sporting contour.

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade mounted to a serrated ramp and protected by a removable hood. The rear sight is an Armstrong receiver-mounted aperture sight with micrometer-style windage and elevation adjustments. The sight body is marked “ARMSTRONG” and has an elevation scale graduated from 0 through 60. The receiver is drilled and tapped for an optic, but no scope or scope bases are included. The sights rate in about Very Good overall condition.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a one-piece checkered walnut sporting stock with a rounded forend, semi-pistol grip, raised comb, cheekpiece, and sling swivels. The wrist and forend have bordered checkering. The checkering shows light handling wear but remains generally well defined. The stock has scattered scratches, compressions, finish wear, and small handling marks. There are areas of finish disturbance around the receiver and floorplate, with several more noticeable scratches along the forend. No chips or major cracks are visible in the provided photos. The LOP measures 14 1/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. Overall, the stock rates in about Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued barrel, receiver, bolt components, sights, trigger guard, and hinged floorplate. The bolt body is polished bright.

Finish Originality: The metal finish appears original. The stock finish may have received light maintenance or additional finish during its service life.

Bore Condition: The bore was not visible in the provided photographs. The bore should be inspected and graded before publication.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains approximately 90% of its original metal finish. The balance of the finish shows light operational and handling wear. There is thinning on the bolt handle, floorplate, trigger guard, muzzle area, and other exposed edges. The barrel and receiver have scattered light scratches, scuffs, and small handling marks. There are a few areas of faint oxidation and finish discoloration, primarily around the receiver and action components. The polished bolt body shows operational wear and scattered dark freckling. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tooled with serviceable slots. The pins are generally unmarred. The markings are clear and legible. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The safety functions correctly. The hinged floorplate opens and closes correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This rifle includes a brown leather sling. No box or paperwork is included.

Our Assessment: FN’s postwar commercial Mauser sporting rifles combined the controlled-round-feed Model 98 action with polished commercial construction, sporting furniture, and high-quality Belgian barrels. Period references identify the Armstrong receiver sight as an available upgraded sighting configuration on FN Deluxe rifles, making it a particularly appropriate and desirable accessory on this example.

This rifle is chambered in the versatile .30-06 Springfield cartridge and retains its matching receiver, barrel, and bolt. Its FN commercial action, chrome-vanadium barrel, checkered walnut stock, hooded front sight, and finely adjustable Armstrong aperture sight create a classic postwar European sporting rifle. The rifle shows honest field and handling wear while retaining strong metal finish and an attractive original-style configuration. Please see our photos for a better understanding of condition and good luck with your bids!-C.M.