This is one of my faves in my collection , SAFN-Model 1949 with bayo, sniper grade barrel with flashider,sniper grooved reciever, in 8mm made for export to Egypt from Belgium, i do love this rifle and will someday get the proper scope and mount for it , but even without a scope it is very accurate for the 8mm mauser round , likes heavy bullets in the 190's to 200 grain plus. could be due to the diff barrel for sniper use, but mine seems to love the heavier bullets for accuracy, i just turn the gas up a tad and she shoots great and has never failed me.
Adjustable gas cylinder for using diff ammo, I rebarreled it myself about 10 yrs ago ,thought i would share her. I have always thought these rifles do not get the attention they deserve , they are very accurate and fires a heavy round, i consider it to be a better overall full battle rifle than the M1GARAND DUE TO HIGHER MAG CAPACITY AND USE OF STRIPPER CLIPS FOR Reloading in battle. They only made 750.000 of them compared to upteen millions of garands and the thought they had to sneak the designer of this rifle and the plans for it out of Belgium to keep it out of german military hands.That says a lot for the design to me, sweet shooter, light on recoil, just a great old warhorse i think should get way more attention then they do.Attachment 48052Attachment 48053Attachment 48054Attachment 48055Attachment 48056Attachment 48057
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Last edited by mil-surp60; 12-16-2013 at 10:48 PM.
Don't think so Doug, I think they're carrying the Mas 49/56...takes a lot of watching and freeze framing to see the rifles.
I think you're right Jim...
Now that you mention it, I used to own an Mas 49/56 (since sold it). I looked closer at the video and it does look like that and makes sense given the nationality.
I also own a beautiful Belgium FN49 in 30.06, but I don't have any pics of her I can post...
Some might argue that the Legion wouldn't use such an antique rifle...but maybe they're just a parade rifle in this case. I had an FN 49 in .30 cal some decades back, I couldn't wait to wring it out. I cleaned and oiled it and took it out to the range...loaded it and squeezed carefully...and away went a burst. It was so worn, it needed a few new parts before I could carry on. They were so scarce and expensive at the time, I sold the rifle. Sad actually...
7x57 Venezuelan contract. For some reason I don't have many photos. Might be lost in some old range trip albums. Nice rifle, but I still prefer the Garand.