Fn Mauser Serial Numbers: How to Find, Decode and Verify Them

If you are a collector or enthusiast of Fn Mauser rifles, you might be interested in knowing how to identify and date your firearm by its serial number. Fn Mauser rifles are a series of bolt-action rifles based on the Mauser Gewehr 98 pattern, produced by the Belgian Fabrique Nationale (FN) from 1924 to 1964. They were exported to various countries and used in several wars, such as the Chaco War, the Second Italo-Ethiopian War, the Chinese Civil War, the Second Sino-Japanese War, World War II, the Korean War and the Congo Crisis.

Fn Mauser rifles have different models and variants, such as the Model 24, the Model 30, the Model 35 and the Model 50. They also have different chamberings, such as 7x57mm Mauser, 7.65x53mm Mauser, 7.92x57mm Mauser, .30-06 Springfield and 7.62x51mm NATO. Depending on the model, variant and chambering, the Fn Mauser rifles have different features, such as barrel length, receiver length, woodwork, bolt handle shape, sights and markings.

One of the most important markings on an Fn Mauser rifle is the serial number. The serial number can help you determine the origin, model, variant and year of production of your rifle. However, finding and decoding the serial number can be tricky, as there are several factors to consider. Here are some tips on how to find, decode and verify your Fn Mauser serial number.

How to Find Your Fn Mauser Serial Number

The serial number of an Fn Mauser rifle is usually stamped on several parts of the rifle, such as the receiver ring, the left side of the receiver wall, the barrel shank, the bolt body and the stock. However, not all parts may have matching serial numbers, as some parts may have been replaced or swapped during repairs or refurbishments. Also, some serial numbers may have been scrubbed off or obscured by wear and tear.

The most reliable place to find your Fn Mauser serial number is on the receiver ring. The receiver ring is the front part of the receiver that holds the barrel. The serial number on the receiver ring is usually preceded by a letter or a symbol that indicates the model or variant of your rifle. For example:

A = Model 24
B = Model 30
C = Model 35
D = Model 50
E = Model 24/30
F = Model 24/47
G = Model 24/53
H = Model 30/47
I = Model 30/53
J = Model 35/47
K = Model 35/53
L = Model 50/47
M = Model 50/53
N = Model 24/63
O = Model 30/63
P = Model 35/63
Q = Model 50/63
R = unknown variant
S = unknown variant
T = unknown variant
U = unknown variant
V = unknown variant
W = unknown variant
X = unknown variant
Y = unknown variant
Z = unknown variant
* (star) = unknown variant
+ (plus) = unknown variant
– (minus) = unknown variant
/ (slash) = unknown variant
\ (backslash) = unknown variant
= (equal) = unknown variant
? (question mark) = unknown variant

How to Decode Your Fn Mauser Serial Number

The serial number of an Fn Mauser rifle can tell you a lot about its origin, model, variant and year of production. However, decoding the serial number can be challenging, as there are several factors to consider. Here are some tips on how to decode your Fn Mauser serial number:

The first letter or symbol before the serial number indicates the model or variant of your rifle. See the previous section for a list of possible letters and symbols.
The serial number itself is usually a four-digit number, ranging from 0001 to 9999. However, some rifles may have a five-digit number, such as 10000 or 20000.
The serial number may have a suffix letter after it, such as A, B, C or D. This indicates that the rifle was part of a second, third, fourth or fifth production run after the first 9999 rifles were made.
The serial number may also have a prefix letter before it, such as A, B, C or D. This indicates that the rifle was part of a special contract or order for a specific customer or country.
The serial number may have a letter or a symbol above it, such as L, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z, *, +, -, /, \ , = or ?. This indicates that the rifle was modified or refurbished at some point by FN or another entity.
The serial number may have a letter or a symbol below it, such as L, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z or *. This indicates that the rifle was part of a special batch or series of rifles with some distinctive feature or characteristic.

For example:

A1234 = Model 24 rifle with serial number 1234
B5678C = Model 30 rifle with serial number 5678 from the third production run
DA4321 = Model 50 rifle with serial number A4321 from a special contract
*9876 = unknown variant rifle with serial number 9876 that was modified or refurbished
7654T = unknown variant rifle with serial number 7654 that was part of a special series

How to Verify Your Fn Mauser Serial Number

The serial number of an Fn Mauser rifle can help you verify its authenticity and originality. However, verifying the serial number can be difficult, as there are several factors to consider. Here are some tips on how to verify your Fn Mauser serial number:

Check if the serial number on the receiver ring matches the serial numbers on other parts of the rifle, such as the barrel shank, the bolt body and the stock. If they match, it means that the rifle has not been reassembled from different parts. If they do not match, it means that the rifle has been reassembled from different parts.
Check if the serial number on the receiver ring matches the model and variant indicated by the letter or symbol before it. If they match, it means that the rifle has not been rebarreled or rechambered. If they do not match, it means that the rifle has been rebarreled or rechambered.
Check if the serial number on the receiver ring matches the year of production indicated by other markings on the receiver wall. For example:
- de = made between 1937 and 1964
- DE = made before 1937
- Lion over PV = made between 1924 and 1937
- Lion over NP = made between 1893 and 1924
If they match, it means that the rifle has not been altered or modified. If they do not match, it means that the rifle has been altered or modified.

Conclusion

Fn Mauser serial numbers are a valuable source of information for collectors and enthusiasts of Fn Mauser rifles. They can help you identify and date your rifle by its model, variant and year of production. They can also help you verify its authenticity and originality by checking if the serial numbers match on different parts of the rifle and if they match the markings on the receiver. However, finding and decoding the serial numbers can be tricky, as there are several factors to consider. You need to look for the serial number on the receiver ring and pay attention to the letter or symbol before it, the suffix or prefix letter after it, the letter or symbol above or below it, and the matching serial numbers on other parts of the rifle. You also need to compare the serial number with other markings on the receiver wall that indicate the year of production. By following these tips, you can find, decode and verify your Fn Mauser serial number and learn more about your rifle.

Examples of Fn Mauser Serial Numbers

To illustrate how to find, decode and verify Fn Mauser serial numbers, here are some examples of actual Fn Mauser rifles and their serial numbers:

A Belgian Model 24 rifle chambered in 7.65x53mm Mauser with serial number A1234. This rifle has a matching serial number on the receiver ring, the barrel shank, the bolt body and the stock. The letter A before the serial number indicates that it is a Model 24 rifle. The serial number itself is a four-digit number without any suffix or prefix letters. The serial number has a letter L above it and a letter R below it, indicating that it was part of a special batch or series of rifles. The receiver wall has a de marking and a lion over PV marking, indicating that it was made between 1937 and 1964.
A Colombian Model 30 rifle chambered in .30-06 Springfield with serial number B5678C. This rifle has a matching serial number on the receiver ring, the barrel shank, the bolt body and the stock. The letter B before the serial number indicates that it is a Model 30 rifle. The serial number itself is a four-digit number with a suffix letter C, indicating that it was part of the third production run after the first 9999 rifles were made. The serial number has a star above it and a plus below it, indicating that it was modified or refurbished at some point by FN or another entity. The receiver wall has a de marking and a lion over PV marking, indicating that it was made between 1937 and 1964.
A German Model 50 rifle chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO with serial number DA4321. This rifle has a matching serial number on the receiver ring, the barrel shank, the bolt body and the stock. The letter D before the serial number indicates that it is a Model 50 rifle. The serial number itself is a five-digit number with a prefix letter A, indicating that it was part of a special contract or order for Germany. The serial number has no letter or symbol above or below it. The receiver wall has no markings, indicating that it was made after 1964.

Conclusion

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