FN .30-06 questions

P

PLBoyd

Inactive
Folks,
My first posting - hope I get it mostly right.
I have an FN in .30-06 caliber, and know nearly nothing of its history. Hoping you all might give me some schooling.
It's marked Cal .30-06 on the left side of the barrel, and FIC on the right side.
Under the stock on the receiver it has the FN oval, and "Made in Belgium" on the right, and a set of proof marks on the left.
Any hints about its age? I would normally expect FN to be putting fancier finish and at least checkering on the wood.
Pictures of it are posted here:
http://s1066.photobucket.com/user/phillipboyd/library/?view=recent&page=1

Thanks lots for anything you can tell me.
-Phil
 

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Welcome to TFL!

Can't tell you much about your rifle as FN actions were imported and used by many gun manufacturers. What I can tell you is you don't have a JC Higgins Model 50 as that is the one I'm most familar with. Both Sako and Browning built rifles that used FN actions as well. IIRC at one time you could just order an action and build a rifle as well and yours could be simply a gunsmith special.
 
i think you have post war FN rifle, its a no frilles get the job done solid rifle you should be proud to own. eastbank.
 
I'm guessing you might have a commercial FN Mauser that has been restocked at some time. Are there any markings on the barrel? Like Taylorforce, I'm more familiar with the J.C. Higgins M50 and 51. I know Montgomery Wards had sporters based on FN Mauser in the 1960 as did High Standard and even the handgun maker Colt made rifles based on FN actions. If there are any other markings on the rifle, then it could be a big help in identifying beyond being an FN. I like Mausers and FN's are one of my favorites. Yours should be a decent shooter.
Paul B.
 
Paul,
The link to Photobucket, above, shows pictures with two markings on the barrel: "Cal .30-06" on the left, and "FIC" (for Firearms International Corp) on the right. There are also photos of proofs on the left of the receiver, and the FN logo, serial number, and "Made in Belgium" on the right.
Besides those I have found no other stamped markings on the metal or wood. There is, on the underside of the bolt handle, the matching serial number written with one of those funny electric pens that were popular in the 60s and 70s.
 
It is an FN Deluxe, made sometime 1952 til the end of importation in the 1970s. Plainest stock I ever saw on one, but it is still an FN Mauser and a good solid rifle. It came in as a completed rifle, they did not even serial number bare actions.
 
Jim Watson,

I have a JC Higgins 1950 which does not have a serial number stamped on it anywhere.

It's kind of refreshing to own something like that in this day of nanny-state government over reach.
 
That is because
1. It was made before GCA 1968 and
2. it was imported as a bare action with barrel and stock made here by High Standard.

The OP's is either a complete FN rifle or at least a barreled action that was proof tested in Belgium and therefore had to have a serial number in their system.
 
I am not certain what your rifle is. The action is a commercial action. Markings are different from what I have seen on my FN Deluxe.

This is an original FN Deluxe




Screw holes are not original.



Recoil pad added to stock. Left hand view.



It is my guess that someone bought the action, had it barreled. Need more pictures though for any better guess than that.
 
I have a JC Higgins 1950 which does not have a serial number stamped on it anywhere.
Click to expand...

That is because
1. It was made before GCA 1968 and
2. it was imported as a bare action with barrel and stock made here by High Standard.
Click to expand...

It's possible that there is a Model 50 out there without a serial number, but most have one on the right hand side of the front receiver ring, just above the stock line. The numbers are small and lightly stamped and could be obliterated if the receiver has been repolished.

The OP has a commercial FN sporter action that has a non-factory stock and probably a custom barrel.
 
It has a serial number and proof marks which Frank DeHaas said a bare action would lack.

But no proof marks on the barrel, just the cryptic FIC. Firearms International Corp? OK. It is a puzzlement.
 
I too have a J.C. Higgins M50. At least it was. Once a .270, it's now a 7x57 with a different stock.
Note to the person with the no number M50. Is the rear sight on your barrel on the barrel or over the breech? Mine had the sight over the breech and with the .270 being a rather high pressure cartridge, I had it rebarreled to 7x57 and had a stock similar the the Husqvarna husky made up for it. One sweet shooting rifle and very accurate.
Paul B.
 
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