Standard Catalog of Military Firearms. Phillip Peterson
lighter-weight assault-type rifle chambered for the 5.56mm cartridge. It is a gas-operated semi-automatic with an 18" or 21" barrel. It has a 30-round box magazine and is black, with either a fixed or folding stock. This model was also discontinued by FN.
NOTE: The above prices are for Belgian-made guns only.
FN FNC–Select Fire Assault Rifle
This model, introduced in 1979, took the place of the CAL. Chambered for the 5.56x45mm cartridge and fitted with a 17.5" barrel, it weighs about 8.4 lbs. It has a 30-round magazine capacity. Rate of fire is 700 rounds per minute. Fitted with a metal folding stock. This model will accept M16 magazines. Marked “FNC 5.56” on left side of receiver. This rifle was adopted by the Belgian, Indonesian, and Swedish militaries.
Pre-1986 full-auto conversions of semi-automatic model
| Exc. | V.G. | Fair |
| 7500 | 6000 | 4500 |
FN BAR Model D (Demontable)
This was the FN version of the Browning automatic rifle. It is fitted with a quick change barrel and pistol grip. It was offered in a variety of calibers from 6.5 Swedish Mauser to the 7.92x57mm Mauser. It is fitted with a 19.5" barrel and has a rate of fire of either 450 or 650 rounds per minute. Weight is about 20 lbs. Marked “FABRIQUE NATIONALE D’ARMES DE GUERRE HERSTAL-BELGIQUE” on left side of receiver.
FN sold about 700 Model Ds to Finland in 1940 which the Finns used during their “Winter War” with the Russians. These Finnish BARs were chambered for the 7.63x54R cartridge. Also a small number of FN guns were sold to China (2,000) and Ethiopia in the 1930s. These BARs were chambered for the 7.92x57mm Mauser cartridge. After World War II FN sold its Model 30 BAR to a number of countries around the world.
Courtesy Jim Thompson
Pre-1968 (Very Rare)
| Exc. | V.G. | Fair |
| 37500 | 32500 | 27500 |
Pre-1986 manufacture with new receiver or re-weld
| Exc. | V.G. | Fair |
| 25000 | 20000 | 18000 |
MACHINE GUNS
Fabrique Nationale has a long history of manufacturing John M. Browning’s firearms. These firearms include the Browning Model 1917, M1919, and .50 caliber heavy gun. The light machine guns were chambered in a variety of calibers and sold around the world by FN. During WWII the FN factory was occupied by German troops, but after the war in 1945 when production finally returned to normal levels, the Belgians produced the air-cooled Browning guns in 7.62x63mm (.30-06) for the Belgian army. When NATO adopted the 7.62x51mm cartridge, FN designed and built the FN MAG machine gun.
FN MAG (Mitrailleuse d’Appui Generale) (M240)
First produced in Belgium in 1955, this machine gun is chambered for the 7.62x51mm cartridge. It is fitted with a 21.3" quick change barrel and has an adjustable rate of fire of 700 to 1000 rounds per minute. It is belt-fed with metal links. The basic configuration uses a wooden buttstock, smooth barrel with bipod attached to gas cylinder, pistol grip, and slotted flash hider. The gun can also be attached to a tripod as well as used with an anti-aircraft mount. Weight is about 22 lbs. Marked “FABRIQUE NATIONALE D’ARMES DE GUERRE HERSTAL BELGIUM” on the right side of the receiver. This gun is still in production and is in use by over 80 countries worldwide.
There is an aircraft version of this gun designated as Model 60-30 (single mount) or 60-40 (twin mount). The gun can also be mounted in a coaxial configuration such as a tank or armored vehicle.
Pre-1968 (Very Rare)
| Exc. | V.G. | Fair |
| 125000+ | — | — |
Pre-1986 conversions
Side-plates, 65 registered.
| Exc. | V.G. | Fair |
| 80000 | 75000 | 67500 |
NOTE: This is an extremely rare machine gun with prices based on scarcity and demand. It is possible for prices to exceed $125,000 under certain conditions.
FN Minimi (M249)
Designed as a squad automatic weapon (SAW) and chambered for the 5.56x45mm cartridge, this machine gun has a rate of fire of 700 to 1,000 rounds per minute and is equipped with a 30-round box magazine or 100 to 200-round boxed belts. Rate of fire with box magazine is higher than when using belt. The quick change barrel length is 18" and weight is about 15 lbs. Marked “FN MINIMI 5.56” on the left side of the receiver. First produced in 1982, this gun is called the M249 machine gun in the U.S. Army. It is also in service in a number of other countries such as Canada, Australia, and Italy.
Courtesy private NFA collection
Pre-1986 transferable
Extremely rare, 1 known.
| Exc. | V.G. | Fair |
| 150000+ | — | — |
FN MAG (Mitrailleuse d’Appui Generale) (M240) • Courtesy Amoskeag Auction Company
BRAZIL
Brazilian Military Conflicts, 1870–Present
Pedro II was the ruler of Brazil from 1840 until 1889. During this period the country grew and prospered, while at the same time overthrowing several neighboring dictatorships. In 1889 a military revolt overthrew