FN made Columbian .30-06 Mauser carbine - need help ID'ing.

Ran across a FN made Columbian Mauser carbine in .30-06.

Trying to figure out what exactly it is. Bolt is bent, has the full spelling of FN on left side of receiver, SHORT barrel, and is pretty much all there with a rough finish. It's "led a life" from what it looks like but seems to lock up solid.

How do I identify if it's a converted 7mm or a M1950 carbine made new in .30-06?

Safe to shoot modern ammo through it?

What's a fair price if it's a real M1950? They are asking $375.

Converted 7mm? Are these safe to shoot modern commercial .30-06 in?

Anybody know anything about the appropriate markings to identify it's actual model?

Attached pictures.

Where'd my 2nd post with the pics go?

As best as I know all Columbian guns were 7mm. They had a huge re-bore project in the mid-1950's. Likely this carbine was a 7mm. The work was done well, but clunkers do exist. Price about right.

It appears to follow the convention of other converts - the ".30" stamped on the receiver bridge, and the relief in the ring right behind the Columbian crest to facilitate the longer 30-06 cartridge.

If safety is a concern, you might opt for modern loads for the M1 Garand. Several companies offer them, and they are supposed to be somewhat reduced from their hunting loads.

Mike

It's not one of the converted guns. Original .30-06. The rebuild markings aren't there, the correct Belgian post WWII stamp is there, and the notch in the receiver for the longer .30-06 round is the factory milled work and not the cruder rework jobs the original 7mm's got.

Hey, that's good to know.

If you have links to pics showing the "crude rework" and rebuild markings I would surely like to see them. I'm here to learn, also.

Mike

No pics. I think I phrased that wrong though. Not crude...just less finely done? On mine you can barely see the machine marks but some of the reports of the arsenal jobs are a bit rougher.

The rebuilt guns have f ramage on the right side of the receiver. Mine has it's serial there.

Mine also has the "star over R" on the left side that was a post war inspection mark.

Its an FN1930 carbine.

Its the only FN rifle supplied to Columbia with a bent bolt. It is most likely post war as it was originally manufactured as 30-06.

They look cool but pack a punch

Okay, thanks.

So, to be clear, they bought 1930 model carbines in .30-06 with bent bolts post war and then shortly afterwards bought 1950 rifles (and maybe carbines?) in .30-06 with straight bolts?

What's the difference between a 1930 and a 1950?

Sorry it took so long to get back to you.

I have attached a part from Robert Balls Military Mausers of the World on Columbian Mausers Models which may explain it a little better than I can. :thup:

Gotcha. Handy book, that.

Life keeps me very busy. Mainly my 1 yr old daughter so this doesn't get frequent attention.

Finally got the stock off. Had to drill the head off the forward lock bolt. The slot was totally mushed but no matter what I tried it would not budge. Threads were seized. The actual action bolt came right out, as did the rear lock and action bolts.

Not as pitted as I feared. Going to clean it up and reassemble.

Anybody know what the markings on the barrel mean? Proofs?

Liege Belgium proof marks there... Lots of pitting showing you it's been re-blued. Those little screws were sometimes hard to keep in place, I wonder if it had been set with red loctite? Hard to believe it was rusted after reblue...

Well, it's got a generation or four of rust in all the nooks and crannies so I wonder if that little screw got stuck in there and then someone mushed the slot trying to get it loose.

Any idea when the barrel proofs date it to? Friend of mine says post 1951.

Also, found this partial cartouche under the handguard.


Any idea what the finish on the metal was?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AJMBLAZER

Any idea what the finish on the metal was?

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My point was the finish has been redone. That gun was reblued so it was completely stripped. Don't know what it left the factory in, but the pits show you a reblue. Therefore the screw hasn't been in there that long since...anyway, drill out the rest and tap it out. Do it carefully and a bit undersize and you may be able to use a correct screw...

Anybody know what the proper bayonet would be?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AJMBLAZER

the proper bayonet

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I think it's the top entry in this page... Bayonets of Colombia

Hmmmm. So a Czech vz1924 bayonet. Seems like plenty of those around.

Thanks!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AJMBLAZER

a Czech vz1924 bayonet

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That's the way it looks. I think most Mauser bayonets would fit and really, it might not be a big difference which one you used. That one seems to be the right designation though.

Cool. Those seem to be much more available than the FN ones.