FN-49

FN Model 1949
Type	Semi-automatic rifle / Automatic rifle
Place of origin	Belgium
Service history
In service	1949–1982
Used by	See Users
Wars	Korean War Suez Crisis Congo Crisis Falklands War
Production history
Designer	Dieudonné Saive
Designed	1949
Manufacturer	FN Herstal
Produced	1949–1961
No. built	176,000
Specifications
Weight	4.31 kg (9 lb 8 oz)
Length	1116 mm (43.5 in)
Barrel length	590 mm (23.2 in)
Cartridge	.30-06 Springfield 7.92×57mm Mauser 7×57mm Mauser 7.62×51mm NATO 7.65×53mm Argentine
Action	Gas-operated short-stroke piston, tilting bolt
Feed system	10-round fixed box magazine, 20-round detachable box magazine in Argentine 7.62×51mm NATO conversions
Sights	Iron sights / OIP 4x Telescopic sight on Belgium Sniper rifle

The Fabrique Nationale Model 1949 (often referred to as the FN-49, SAFN or AFN) is a rifle available as both a semi-automatic rifle and as a selective fire automatic rifle designed by Dieudonné Saive and manufactured by Fabrique Nationale. It was used by the militaries of Argentina, Belgium, the Belgian Congo, Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Indonesia, Luxembourg, and Venezuela. The automatic rifle version with selective fire produced for Belgium was known as the AFN.

While well regarded for its high build quality and reliability in comparison to the rifles of the time, its marketability was limited, as it was not developed in time for use in World War II but later, as many militaries had already begun the switch to selective fire assault rifles. An unknown number of FN-49's were produced as selective fire automatic rifles, but the small 10 round box magazine limited the usefulness of the fully automatic feature.

The FN-49 found itself in direct competition with a number of more modern rifles such as the Heckler & Koch G3 and Fabrique Nationale de Herstal's own FN FAL, resulting in limited sales.

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