Matching Luxembourg Contract FN-49 In .30-06 Semi Automatic Rifle, C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,026.32
LSB#: WY240804ED006
Make: Fabrique Nationale (FN). Luxembourg Contract
Model: 1949 (FN 49)
Serial Number: 4580
Year of Manufacture: 1951
Caliber: .30-06 Sprg
Action Type: Semi Auto, Short Stroke, Tilting Lock, Internal Magazine
Markings: The top of the receiver is marked, “AL”. The left side of the receiver is marked, “4580 / FABRIQUE NATIONALE D’ARMES DE GUERRE HERSTAL BELGIQUE” The bolt is serial matching. There are various Belgian proofs throughout.
Barrel Length: Approximately 23 Inches, threaded.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a bladed post set between two protective ears. The rear sight is an aperture tangent sight marked to 10.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a two piece wood set with a forend cap, barrel band, finger grooves, semi-pistol grip, sloped comb, sling loop, and steel buttplate w/ storage door. There are light scratches and pressure dents throughout. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 12.8 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Excellent overall condition.
Type of Finish: Black Enamel
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray and the rifling is deep. There is moderate erosion and fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates at a 6/10 for C&R.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 85% of its metal finish. There is chipping and wear to the enamel throughout. The exposed areas have patina and rust. The fixed magazine retains almost none of its finish. There are scratches and nicks throughout. The screw heads are lightly tooled. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition as C&R.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The Luxembourg Contract FN-49 in .30-06 is a notable variation of the FN-49, a semi-automatic battle rifle developed by Belgian arms manufacturer Fabrique Nationale (FN) after World War II. The FN-49, designed by FN’s chief engineer Dieudonné Saive, is renowned for its robust construction, accuracy, and innovative features, which represented a significant evolution in infantry firearms. The Luxembourg Contract rifles, chambered in .30-06 Springfield, were made for the Luxembourg Armed Forces in the early 1950s, marking an early adoption of semi-automatic service rifles for a European military. The Luxembourg FN-49 retains the primary features of the standard FN-49, including a fixed 10-round magazine fed by stripper clips or single rounds, a gas-operated action with a tilting bolt, and robust wooden furniture typical of mid-century military rifles. The choice of .30-06, a powerful cartridge widely used by the United States and its allies, provided Luxembourg’s military with a high-velocity, effective round suitable for a range of engagements. This caliber, coupled with the rifle’s solid construction, made the Luxembourg FN-49 reliable and capable of sustained accuracy, even under battlefield conditions. A distinguishing feature of the Luxembourg FN-49s is their unique Luxembourg crest and contract markings, which set them apart from other national contracts for the FN-49. The rifles were intended to provide Luxembourg’s military with an effective semi-automatic rifle for both standard infantry roles and potential conflict during the Cold War period. This model, along with other FN-49 variants, contributed to the legacy of FN’s excellence in firearm design, leading to widespread adoption by various nations and proving influential in the development of FN’s later models, like the FAL.
Overall, the Luxembourg Contract FN-49 in .30-06 is both a collector’s item and an example of the mid-20th century shift toward semi-automatic rifles in military service, offering insight into the technological advancements and global demand for reliable, modern firearms. -R.E.
