Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Mausers and Military Rifles Belgium FN 98 30-06

I have a Belgium FN 30-06 serial number 01350. If anyone might tell me the manufacture date, I would appreciate it I suspect it’s approximately 1949.
Also, I would appreciate information of the metal finish coming from the factory.
The rifle that I have has no extra holes in the metal and the metal parts are all there including sights, stock is original except the fore-end has been shortened I suspect and no hand guard.
My intention is to bring this back to as it was manufactured. The bore looked like it had never been cleaned but after JB bore cleaner, brushes, patches, Hoppes, foaming bore cleaner the bore looks pristine.
Thanks for your knowledgeable responses.

Bugger! Bugger! Please: photos, photos, photos... !
Some points/questions off top-of-head trying to visualize...
Chambering!?! Barrel length/markings (including concealed under stock)? aft barrel sight length/range markings? Single or double broached Receiver? Bolt straight or bent & w/ matching SN, mismatch or 'none'. When you refer to "shortened forend" do you mean retaining military hardware or Bubba special? Any suggestions the barrel length might have been trimmed? Any possibility of nomenclature "scrubbed"?
Such questions, a poor substitution for a good series of detailed photos! You've concluded FN so there really should ether be some markings or... psychic powers involved??? What basis for assuming 'postwar'?

Re FN. At war's end FN was quickly returned to civilian production after occupation & Wehrmacht. produced mausers. Post WWII Military production often included small contracts & their own serial ranges. Quite a few of these seem to have been "carbines" with bent-bolts. One notable exception the rifles produced for the Belgian military itself with receiver crests inclusive of dates of 1951 or 1952 as full length. Most of the anonymous 'small batch' national clients seemed to have remained "documentation unavailable".
Final observation "re"... After half-century plus and the roll call of owner's hands passing, possibility of many alterations some yet appearing "original". Most "rare variations" existing across the spectrum of Internet gun sales, Bubba as simply not 'signed work'!
And now that I've rather poorly attempted to play expert...
We're privileged to have Anthony Vanderlinden, author of the seminal book embracing such as this very subject as part of this Forum! Reference to his book below. Hopefully he'll be along to comment here and set straight my amateuer efforts at expertise!
In the meantime, in between time... The subtle hint... Photos, photos, photos!
Example of my postwar FN carbine below with pretty good evidence of manufacturer!
'Anthony's Book: https://www.fnbrowning.com/fn-mauser-rifles

Best!
John

Here's some pictures:

If the breech is double-broached, H-collar vs C-collar, it would date it 1949 or later. They made that change after 1948 or thereabouts. I have a commercial-actioned rifle dated 1948, and it’s a C-collar.

Someone did a number on that trigger bow.

The transition from C to H ring occurred in 1949 as best as I can tell. I have two 1949 DOM Commercial rifles and one has a C ring the other an H.

That rifle is shod with the remnants of a VZ24 stock.

Here's some pictures of the head of the bolt. I am not a Mauser guy, though I have a couple. I just have average knowledge, maybe less. The lugs are different on this Mauser or any other rifle that I've seen. One lug has a groove in it those co-insides with a rotary 'ridge' next to the Breech. The other side has a 'ridge' (loss of words to describe better). These look like they are there for gas containment.
This is a "C" ring or before 1950, maybe 1948. The serial number seems very low to me...

Thanks for the photos! Would still like to see couple of 'whole elephant' pix and of the aft barrel sight - seeking to see whether that unit is carbine or otherwise. The Iranian carbines used the rifle sight, but such, 'unusual'. Also is the butt plate the 'washboard' style or older smooth contoured? That would indicate whether the stock was pre-or postwar & why no handguard as - improper fit re sight assembly. Also is the bolt numbered to the receiver & barrel?

FN like many manufacturers, didn't necessarily stick to a formula re a singular date for changes with all serialed models going out the factory door in 'pre & post change as exclusive eras. They apparently shelved such components and perhaps especially for the smaller contract items, "exceptions occurring". Making solid 'changeover rules', not necessarily hard & fast! I do believe almost surely the manufacture process transitioned only once to "double" broached. But production including small lot production and such related serial numbering, leaves room for false inferences. 'as I recall' a couple of my 1950 dated commercial FNs had the single broach type action. However, can't swear to that. Yet we've answered the fact that the action wasn't a pre WWII refurb.

The fact that the carbine is in 30-06, my guess it's been in S. America most likely. So many rifles & carbines filtering through the milsurp markets were refurbs to that chambering as moving into the .30 chambering proclivity of the fifties era. Yours possibly a refurb or possibly not! AS far as the bolt is concerned, can't help.

I like these FN carbines! They're small, neat and quality mfg! As a generalization, they seem often to be in 'lesser condition' than their larger counterparts in same areas of the more 'vegetated world'. My belief more likely in such as jungle areas, that shorter, more compact size was highly useful on rural treks. Enabling spending more time such as patrolling rather than untangling from trails' vegetation! 'Factoid' that some of these in such as early thirties era, were also "intermediate length actions!" The Yugo M 1924 actions were such!

Well, would still like to see more pix... Just the voyeur in me! But if inconvenient... Let's just "do it again soon" with some other nice guns!
Best!
John

More pictures coming the butt plate is smooth curved by the way.
The barrel is long enough I think that it qualifies for a rifle. I’ll measure.

I guess that I don't believe it a South American rifle. My experience with South American Mausers is they are rusty. The only rust seems to be on the but plate. I am not sure that this stock was the original stock though.

The barrel length is approximately 23 1/2 Inches. Here's more pictures:

Like I said before, that stock came off a VZ24. So, not original but cut.

Any crest on the front ring?

I think they dialed the wrong number.

The front ring bare, has nothing on it, it’s smooth.
I’m not sure why anyone would want to flatten the bottom of the trigger guard.
Basically I believe I have a Belgium FN 98 barreled action that in pretty good shape except the finish and the flattened trigger guard. The bore looks close to perfect to me. There’s no rust or pits on the barreled action.
I may be wrong regarding my thought on it not being a Columbian Mauser.
A friend who is much much more knowledgable regarding Mauser’s tells me that he’ll furnish me with the correct stock and hardware to make it back to military. I hate to burden him if it’s not worth it. He’s very giving person and I don’t want to take advantage of him.
The finish seems wrong to me. I’d pay to have it back to original finish. The finish looks like it may be black paint. What was the original finish?
In your opinion us it worth brining it back to military? Should I make it a sporter? I have a boatload of 30-06’s now so that option doesn’t sound appealing to me.
I’m intrigued with the action as I’ve not seen a Mauser like this.

Thanks to all who have commented.

I've had several late model SA Mausers that had black paint instead of bluing. If it was me and I could get the correct stock and hardware, I'd do it. It's getting harder and harder to find unmolested barreled actions. So, even as a non-matching example, it would still be a worthy endeavor.

Thanks. I needed that.

I had an FN military that had a horrible bore. Replaced the barrel with a SA 7.62x51 barrel. Shoots great but I am still looking for an original stock to put it into.

First, thanks very much for the totality of photos! The more provided, the better opportunity to garner a full picture of the rifle at hand. One of the combo "upsides" as "downsides" of the magnificent mauser pattern 98 actions is their certain uniformity qualities, as facilitating much inherent 'mix & match' features. Nowadays my belief the typical maser common to the wider marketplace is more often than not a mixture of differing sub-models' features. So for those folks who are looking for clues, often omitting a photo, fails the "what have we here", eval process.
The significance of the "double broaching", aka "H" pattern receiver ring to me, is "carbon dating" (humor intended). Being a relatively positive means of saying when "double broached", postwar production as 'almost' absolute. Such conclusion also the realization of a war-torn FN factory getting back together as taking on smaller Model 98 contracts inherently decades later, less ascribable to certain nations/national interests. A "patchwork" result. Less often prewar contracts either small or without 'national pride' markings. Occurring but unusual some prewar contracts without disdinguishing national markings. China one such purchaser in the thirties era. Of course the "scrubbed" action which if professionally accomplished, the equivalent 'apparent' result. Typical of nation "B" acquiring surplus rifles from nation "A" with either A mandating or B by discretion such original marking removal. Whatever reason, from national interests to Bubba, same results! The described bottom metal, likely a "donor", as sounding to me. The Belgian Military adopting the FN 98 in early fifties. a time-rendered ugly black painted finish original. I have a couple of these rifles as "original" and to be ever so much improved with caring refinish, but for "non-original". Living with that 'originality'!

To me, your stock purchase deliberation in course of "restoration", reflect thoughtfulness. The relationship of friends and not 'putting upon' another for 'bargain' purchase. Such and of 'factual restoration worthiness. From my perspective, tours simply not "restoration worthy" unless a fun, perhaps learning exercise. From as noted, "possibly but not certainly, 'scrubbed' rifle. The question of components originality as material. The situation of "veteran condition mauser rifles, common nowadays. Also typical as referenced mix & match situation. In any context of retaining the rifle, I'd begin with a chamber cast for absolute determination of chambering 'conforming' to some military cartridge. Bubba ever hovering with 'custom chambering freaks resulting. From there, further analysis contemplating your standards/expectations.

My 'very own' small fleet of accumulated 'other-era' milsurp rescues in context of worthy shooters at ultra cheap prices. Current era as factually moved to "restoration candidate rifles". Particularly as actions yet original & matching. Yet, mediocre bores, cost of decent wood & craftmanship in repro stocks and accumulating accoutrements lost... To me as 'life otherwise happening'; "projects" unworthy of restoration in total costs/benefits relationship. As without expectation of either positive appreciated value or "reacquiring collector interests"; cast as "fun learning project..." Possibilities!
Thanks for an interesting Thead!
Best of luck &...
Just my take!
John

I Dyna bore treated it and broke it in. The chamber is fairly tight 30-06.

The barrel looked like a wasp’s best when I got. I put a bore snake through it and it looked hopeless. But after a through cleaning the bore looks great. The chamber is tight.

I have a few 30-06’s now so I don’t see the need to make it a “sporter”. My friend says military hardware will be coming.

Sweet! I think you will really enjoy it in "military" trim.

I predict that it will be heavier but it will balance perfectly.

Keep us posted.


Okie John

https://www.libertytreecollectors.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=5041

These guys have stocks/hardware for Belgium 98 Mausers made in the same time period as my 98 30-06. The main difference seems to be barrel length. I suppose the short rifle stock and hardware would be wrong for my 98???

The "short rifle" is only short when compared to the original 98, which had a 29" barrel. If yours is 24-ish inches, then it's a short rifle. Carbines are more like 16".


Okie John

nice old rifle and thanks for all the pictures. Pete53

I got the correct stock and hardware ordered - can’t wait.

The stock came today but without the upper hand guard. Any idea where I might get an upper handguard?

Still looking for that Handguard

My go to source nowadays for military Mauser parts is Apex, unfortunately they don't have an FN handguard for my own FN stock.

I resorted to taking a Brazilian Mauser long rifle handguard and cutting it shorter, then filing the front of the handguard to size for the barrelband.

Thanks. Will look into that.

The term "Carbine" is entirely generic and really needs to be defined in context of the particular make, model & era of the underlying rifle. Excellent example, the German carbine: "Kar 88" with a bit less than 18" barrel. The World War I "Kar 98" a bit less than 24" barrel! Different strokes for same folks! I am here speaking of nomenclature just as actually applied to subject rifles!

To seek a component irrespective of specific 'genre', as to seek a mate irrespective of specific 'gender'... Hazardous 'fit'!

Be careful what you wish for... Lest you get it!

Best!
John

I have a handguard ordered. I'm on the Apex site and see they have a milled floor plate for a large ring Mauser. They list it as 8.75" length. This is close to matching the length on my Mauser, BUT, there seems to be so many variations, I'm hesitant to purchase. Besides, If this isn't original then it's still a parts rifle, so to speak. Further there's no floor plate and associated hardware to go with it. Should I go somewhere else, If I do, what should I be looking for? Thanks.

I am planning on replacing the trigger guard. I pulled the one that came with the rifle out. That trigger guard is 8 5/8" long. I checked to see if it would fit into the stock I bought from Apex. The hole spacing was similar, but the overall length of Apex stock opening is 8 3/8" long (1/4" short). So, I'm looking at Numerich (gunpartscorp), Apex, and E-bay for the appropriate trigger guard. Ebay and gunpartscorp do not show trigger guard length and as stated in the previous reply the length of the Apex trigger guard is 8 3/4".

Advice please.

This probably won't be of a great deal of help since I just play around with surplus stocks and barrelled actions to make "militaryish" configured shooters, but after looking at your post I tried a comparison of two trigger guards I have laying around with the Liberty Tree FN Mauser short rifle stock I have. (btw I am aware that the shape of the FN military trigger guards is slightly different in the front than that of the usual military trigger guards of other nations.)

The Zastava LK M70 commercial trigger guard (made in the late 1980's) was a perfect drop in fit to the FN military stock from Liberty Tree. This I attribute to the suspiciously strong possibility that the Zastava action making machinery was bought from FN when FN exited the commercial mauser rifle business. Since the postwar FN actions, both military and commercial, had the same dimensions, it makes sense - at least to me.

I've seen it reported on other forums that the dimensions of the FN receivers and Zastava M70 receivers are the same - for example,you can use the same scope bases on either one interchangeably.

If you're looking for a quality near original configuration, well I'm no help. You could glue in some slivers of wood to any gaps between your stock and any other military mauser trigger guard you have on hand.

Then again, you may be a normal person instead of one who has no qualms about strapping a live, screaming victim mauser stock to the operating table and disemboweling it with a dremel, files and sandpaper. In that case, you see, I'm no help.

I bought two of the Numrich "commercial mauser" (hinged floor plate trigger guards) and also tried one of them in the FN military stock.

It wasn't a drop in fit, though close. But - and this is big - the reproduction trigger guard from Numrich is not exactly the same dimension as the Zastava. It's close, but there are some slight gaps in places and too tight in others.

You'd have to sandpaper the trigger guard opening to get it to fit and there'd be 1/32" or so gaps up in the front.

The Numrich reproduction is kind of off a little bit in other dimensions. One example is in the floor plate. On trying 4 military and one commercial follower springs to install in the floor plate, I found not one of them will fit the Numrich without filing the sides of the spring to fit under the ledges in the floor plate. Bummer, but fixable with time and elbow grease.

The Numrich reproduction sort of ok looking, but is fairly roughly made. I think it can be made serviceable.

Thanks for the replies! I guess it will be try it and see if it works type of a deal. My hopes for drop in parts maybe optimistic! I sort of was hoping for a FN Mauser that all would be similar to original.

One thing at a time. let's see how much work it will be to make the handguard work, then the floor plate. The barreled action seems to be too good to not make it right.

Hard knocks school on Mausers...

I strongly considered paying someone to make an FN hand guard for me, but decided against it since I'm not minded to ever again fall into the money pit of mauser restoration. Good luck on your journey. These two barrelled actions I'm working with are the last I ever intend to do. You might - might - get lucky enough if you contact enough stock duplication services to find one that has an FN 1950 handguard pattern on hand to duplicate for you.

It was fun and fairly easy to do back in the 70's and 1980's when there were far more cheap parts and parts houses around.

Last whole couple of decades parts prices have gone up materially and skilled labor way up! Since the pandemic about out of sight for a lot of 'stuff'. Considering we're not talking "new" or recent transocean shipment, a lot of simple price gouging. Not into playing to that market!

As we're talking FN Mausers, I'll share my miltary crown jewel rounding out a couple of 'teaser pix' from my first Post in this Thread. A postwar double broached receiver my guess as made in early fifties as FN moving to semi-auto Model 49 & later production. Small quantity orders clearing out Model 98 bolt inventory. This was walking around at one of the huge SoCal gun shows of maybe several decades ago. Tried to tell me a "salesman's sample". I bought the gun as really reasonable without the 'story'. It's judt into four digit matching SN on barrel, action and bolt as only such numbers visible. I've seen some few" in same "profile FN Carbines, but never one in the flesh with the commercial receiver ring markings! It's about minty condition. Chambering appearing 8mm.

The lucky of us with FN rifles to enjoy!
Best!
John

I’m frustrated with trying to get this back to military configuration. I bought the correct military stock sans upper hand guard. I don’t know how to get a correct hand guard or a decent/good floor plate. Someone interested in this rifle, make a semi-decent offer and it’s likely to be yours. BTW: with the correct stock the floor plate that was with the stock on it when I purchased it won’t fit???

The stock I bought on-line for that 98 had the waffle type butt plate - like shown by iskra.

Sorry to hear you're having so many problems. Have you tried flooding the WTB Gun Forums where available? Sometimes the problem is exactly of too active seeking! A fixation & maybe just giving it a break? If your "due diligence is exhausted, guess you have the correct resolution! I haven't read back through the Posts so flying on one brain cell only...
'IF' just a floorplate, I don't understand the issue. Such should be plentiful in your instance. Your Belgian Model 1950 military used the regular commercial Belgian FN commercial floorplate. It shared 'most features' of the commercial but for the receiver thumb slot, military bolt handle config and no-low scope safety of course. The FN Factory was actually accommodating small quantity Model 98 military orders into the fifties! But of course what could have happened with your parts gun purchase, the bottom metal may not be from the same series of 98 rifles at all!

Suggest your WTS should be in such Forum. I think it fair game here since it sort of "the end of the story" with a moral about parts gun misadventures appended. But the proper sale forum, some good pix and ethical disclosure... There's always someone out there to pick up the gauntlet, as "challenged to succeed".

Good Luck & just my take!
John

I agree with what you’re writing. I think the people following this forum might be the wisest as to what the issue(s) would be for this rifle.

Example: I had a 62 Impala for sale that was in a condition such that it was about a $2,000 car. A college girl wanted to buy it and asked for CARFAX on it. I told her she was not the right person for the car. I sold instead to a guy that restores cars, he was tickled to get it.

I didn’t know that a factory FN floor plate would work for instance. I’ve been shooting Mausers all my life, but am not knowledgable regarding Mausers. My first center fire was a Mauser 98. I’m still a novice and I don’t want to sell it to someone who’s less knowledgable than me.

I finally got my 30-06 put together thanks to the help of the guys on this thread.. The first load I tried was some 150 grain Blems - I think they are Inlterlocks. The bullets stike 12" high at 60 yards. with the rear sight at the lowest setting.

The front sight -









This rifle will be shooting mostly cast b ullets and I suspect they will land a little lower...

How was the handguard? It appears it must have been a good fit.

I’m pretty happy with it now. I have some 220 grain cast with GC’s and unique powder. I have not tried that load on paper.

One thing that bugs me is these 98 Mausers were evidently painted instead of more durable finish. I’m considering alternative finishes.

Congrats on getting it together.

Don’t know a heck of a lot about military 98s, only that there’s a heck of a lot to know and I’m mainly interested in hunting rifles, but that paint might be original like No.4 SMLEs or arsenal rework. No matter for range work anyway. All the finish options now are frightfully expensive except DIY.

As for the sights, cast loads may shoot higher due to longer barrel time, but only one way to find out. I have a similar issue with a commercial FN and the oddball dovetail means I’ll have to do some extensive file work on a replacement blade, which most likely will be a brass one from Skinner. BTDT with others. Meanwhile, I have a Weaver base on the receiver ring and a 2moa red dot, a good hunting combination. This one, like some others I’ve owned, was drilled for some unknown bases from the past, so trouble-free scope mounting is out. The stock is shaped for irons anyway, so I’ll put the sight issue on the Someday List and shoot it as-is for a while. I was fortunate in finding a pristine Lyman 57FN at a very good price and managed to fit it with minimal blood loss.

FWIW, if you decide to shoot some jacketed loads, I’ve gotten excellent results in about a half-dozen ‘06s with 46gr of H4895 and 150gr bullets. Should be close to military ballistics, and is mild and accurate.