FN SAFN-49
Overview
SAFN-49
Left and right hand side of an Egyptian SAFN-49 chambered in 7.92x57mm.
Source: www.empirearms.com -
© copyright lies with original owner
Dieudonné Saive
Fabrique Nationale Model 1949
FN-49
FN AL
Argentina
Description
Introduction
The SAFN-49 is a self-loading rifle of Belgian origin. It was developed Dieudonné Saive for Fabrique Nationale. The name SAFN-49 stands for "Saive Automatique Fabrique Nationale 1949". The development started before World War 2 in Belgium and was completed in the UK during the final stages of the war. The SAFN-49 was not as successful as the MAS 49/56 or the M1 Garand, but sold well. It was replaced in production by the more capable FN FAL battle rifle.
Design
The SAFN-49 is a magazine fed gas operated weapon with tilting bolt. It has a classic wooden furniture, a fixed stock and rifle type grip. During the Korean War the SAFN-49 reportedly proved to be more reliable and accurate than the M1 Garand. A number of SAFN-49 have been fitted with an optical sight for use as a sniper rifle.
Firepower
The SAFN-49 is a semi-automatic weapon fed by a 10 round box magazine. It is most commonly chambered in .30-06 Spingfield, but was also produced in 7x57mm Mauser, 7.92x57mm Mauser or 7.65x53mm Argentine. The maximum effective range was claimed to be 700 meters. In Argentine service it was converted to 7.62x51mm NATO and used a 20 round magazine.
Users
About half of the total production was for the Belgian military. Belgium was the third out of nine nations to adopt it. The SAFN-49 was also sold to various South American nations and several other nations around the world. Nowadays the SAFN-49 is considered obsolete and all have been withdrawn from active service.
Variants
SAFN-49 variants
The SAFN-49 was produced in one version, but was chambered for several calibers. About three quarters of the production models are chambered for the US .30-06 Springfield round. Other calibers include 7x57mm Mauser, 7.92x57mm Mauser and 7.65x53mm Argentine.
Argentine modifications
Many Argentine models were converted in the late 1960’s from 7.65x53mm to 7.62x51mm NATO by the Argentine firm Halcón. They were fitted with proprietary 20 round magazines.
Details
Media
SAFN-49
Sniper version with optics of the Egyptian SAFN-49 chambered in 7.92x57mm.
Source: Boris Barowski and Paul C
Copyright: GNU Attribution - Share Alike license
SAFN-49
Forward view of SAFN-49 converted to 7.62x51mm NATO in Argentina.
Source: www.gun-world.net
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
Related articles
MAS 49/45
The French MAS 49/56 is a contemporary self-loading rifle. The older MAS 49 and SAFN-49 much alike, especially in older photos of limited quality.