FN M1950 carbine info please...

[Lancebear]

Hey guys,

Handled a nice little FN M1950 carbine last Saturday at a local gunshow. It's chambered in 30-06, correct as far as I can tell. Ball's Mauser book devotes a paragraph to the carbine. I can find hardly any info on the net.

It was blued (maybe rearsenaled). Read somewhere that they originally had a black baked on finish for the army and gray for the Navy? Wood was nice and had a large "77" painted on the right buttstock. Think it had a bent bolt.

The dealer is local and milsurps were not selling well. Might still have it, $599.00.

For the price I would like to have some more info like serial numbers, specially' for the ones that went to the Congo.

Anyone have one they could post photos of or just supply some information on these very cool little carbines, crest and other markings? There is just nothing out there on these pieces.

Thanks for any info,

Lancebear

Information

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[metzgeri]

I didn't know the FN1950 was also a carbine. I have the 23" barrel rifle.

A google search turned up the following from Surplusrifles.com and there is a picture of one there.
Collecting and Shooting the Military Surplus Rifle (2008) - Surplusrifle.com

...After WWII, Fabrique Nationale (FN) in Belgium, was still producing weapons of model 98-type (licensed by Mauser), and actually had been doing so for decades. They sold these contract weapons to countries on virtually every continent. After the war, Belgium adopted the FN 49 semi-auto rifle in 30/06 as their main battle rifle. Belgium knew it would be quite awhile until all their troops could be supplied with the complicated Model 49 rifle.

So, Belgium adopted a model 98-type rifle in caliber 30/06 (with a 23.5 inch barrel) as substitute standard for units not yet outfitted with the semi-auto Model 49. The new 30/06-caliber bolt rifle was given the model designation 1950.

Morocco ordered a small quantity of Model 1950 rifles in caliber 30/06 from FN. However, the Moroccan version was a carbine. My Moroccan Model 1950 carbine is a true carbine, with a 17.38 inch barrel. Now, that arm should make a excellent test deck for the Pachmayer® Decelerator® slip-on pad!...

Here's one on GB:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=144104386

metzgeri

[Lancebear]

Thanks Metz,

I was just guessin' about the model designation. The carbine certainly had a seventeen inch barrel. Will call the dealer tomorrow and ask for some details if they still have it. Is the Moroccan carbine considered scarce? Wish I had taken a better look...I was sellin' and had no offers on my Springfield '03. Plenty sightseers though.

LB

[metzgeri]

I'm not an Officionado of the Moroccons, but I'd have to say not too common. Just my edumicated guess. I know I haven't seen many and the price seems to follow classic supply/demand.

Good luck with the purchase. I just recieved a nice Springfield '03 today on trade. She's a beaut and goes well with my '03A3.

metzgeri

[Lancebear]

Hey Metz,

With your help and a call to the dealer today I figured out that it is a Moroccan carbine. Very low serial number and all matching. I remember the blueing to be very nice. Might go and see it tomorrow and make an offer. I have some 30-06 ammo and that works for me. Very interesting piece.

What year is your '03?

Thanks for the help,

LB

[metzgeri]

Good for you, LB! I hope you get it. I know we'd all like to see pictures if you get it.

My '03 is a springfield 1929 date with 6-30 SA barrel. I'm really admiring this rifle. Those Springfield folks and Gen. Hatcher sure knew what they were doing when they built these.

metzgeri

[Lancebear]

Hey Metzgeri,

Yea I got it, knew if there was nothing drastically wrong that would happen.

Seems like all of these tiny carbines are a mystery. This one is also. All of the metal parts say Moroccan carbine. I would guess re-arsenaled and a very fine job. High quality glossy looking maybe rust blue. Bore is flawless and the barrel has a bright breech. All of the markings are correct for a Moroccan carbine but the "30" is not present on the receiver rear top.

It is chambered in 30-06. From what I've seen on the net, the stock appears to be a Belgian police one. Has the sling swivel on the left of the buttstock and one on the bottom which does not turn 360 degrees.
Numbers match and are in the right places...#79. "79" is also hand painted on the left buttstock. A Euro seven as it has the slash across the long leg.

Interior of both pieces of wood is like new, aged of course. Wood has not been messed with. Matches in color and wear. Hundreds of tiny carry marks but no cracks or major gashes. Bright and very nice grain.

Carbine is tight like new. Very solid. Had to tap the bands off. This piece hasn't been apart in many years.

Sounds like a mess but is a very fine and good looking carbine. My guess is that a Moroccan arsenal re-worked the metal lightly, re-blued and maybe didn't have original replacement stocks available and put the Belgian police one on? Hardly any info available on these carbines.

There is no pitting anywhere. Some velvety surface rust on the inside of the chamber but that will wipe off.

$550.00 out the door. Some might say too much but...got it for the price I wanted and I like it a lot.

Not much to clean up but it is all apart and will detail every part.

Really nice supple and probably correct sling with brass button and buckle.

Post photos in a few days.

All thoughts appreciated,

Lancebear

[Lancebear]

Hey Metz,

I forgot to ask about your '03. What type of stock does it have? Maybe a grasping groove? Since regular production was not exactly like the early years in '29, maybe your rifle has it's original barrel? Stock type might be a clue as to the story of your rifle. Post some photos on the '03 forum and you will get volumes of info from the best men concerning these rifles. I luv'em. Have a handful. Does it have a hole drilled into the front LEFT of the receiver?

LB

[Calif-Steve]

$500.00 out the door? Sounds like a steal. Nice find.

[Lancebear]

Hey Steve,

$550.00 OTD. I tried to post photos here tonight but had no success. Had to post photos on the Gunboards Military Mauser forum. Took fifty photos and got a good handful.

Think these tiny carbines have a bright future.

LB