Question about a 1951 FN 30-06.

Photofreestyle · December 11, 2012, 04:00 PM

Local gun store has on in stock, and asking 500 bucks for it. Heres the deal, it say on the tag that it was produced for a national guard. All numbers match, bolt is turned down - not straight out, wood is pristine, and everything is nickel, even down to the butt-plate. It does have the ABL and Lords crest as well. I have been looking all over online, trying to find any info about a national guard, or palace guard version in nickel, but no luck at all. The thing thats intriguing me a little, is that there is still dried cosmoline on it, so if its truly nickel, or polished, it was done before shipping. Any info? Its a beautiful gun none-the-less

bumnote · December 11, 2012, 04:26 PM

I have one a Model 1950 it's a real nice Mauser. IMO the price is very good for what I've seen them going for online lately, in conditions less than you describe.
I think I read somewhere ceremonial rifles were nickel finished...but I can't find any info online to back that up. M1950's in general aren't as well documented as other models.

Photofreestyle · December 11, 2012, 04:37 PM

So $500 is a fair price, even if it turns out to be a non ceremonial rifle?

bumnote · December 11, 2012, 04:47 PM

I think so. The ones I've seen online lately have been north of $600, when you can find them.

Photofreestyle · December 12, 2012, 09:44 AM

Im going back up there this afternoon, and talk to the guy again. He has told me he had seen some on the auction sites going for 700+, and thats how they determined it was a guard,palace, or presentation rifle. Might even call up FN and see if they can give me any info on it as well. Either way, its a nice,clean gun, and I will probably get it, if its still up there, but didnt want to buy it because if the story he had told me.

gak · December 12, 2012, 01:11 PM

I'd say go for it. I had a 1951 FN ,270 my father had made when stationed in England - ordered it custom built in Belgium and stocked (very nice but understated) in Germany where he picked it up when under assignment in Wiesbaden. Alas, it was stolen several years ago. A real loss. Also turned down bolt - or more Model 70 like I guess you'd say. Can't beat an old FN. Definitely one of those "don't make 'em like they used to" guns. Does it say chrome-molly (IIRC) on the barrel?

lefteyedom · December 13, 2012, 02:27 AM

Would you be happy paying $501 for the rifle? Then buying it for $500 is a deal

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December 11, 2012, 04:00 PM	#1
Photofreestyle Junior Member Join Date: December 11, 2012 Posts: 3	Question about a 1951 FN 30-06. Local gun store has on in stock, and asking 500 bucks for it. Heres the deal, it say on the tag that it was produced for a national guard. All numbers match, bolt is turned down - not straight out, wood is pristine, and everything is nickel, even down to the butt-plate. It does have the ABL and Lords crest as well. I have been looking all over online, trying to find any info about a national guard, or palace guard version in nickel, but no luck at all. The thing thats intriguing me a little, is that there is still dried cosmoline on it, so if its truly nickel, or polished, it was done before shipping. Any info? Its a beautiful gun none-the-less

December 11, 2012, 04:26 PM	#2
bumnote Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2008 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 407	I have one a Model 1950 it's a real nice Mauser. IMO the price is very good for what I've seen them going for online lately, in conditions less than you describe. I *think* I read somewhere ceremonial rifles were nickel finished...but I can't find any info online to back that up. M1950's in general aren't as well documented as other models. __________________ "And remember, Abraham Lincoln didn't die in vain, he died in Washington D.C." - Firesign Theatre

December 11, 2012, 04:47 PM	#4
bumnote Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2008 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 407	I think so. The ones I've seen online lately have been north of $600, when you can find them. __________________ "And remember, Abraham Lincoln didn't die in vain, he died in Washington D.C." - Firesign Theatre

December 13, 2012, 02:27 AM	#7
lefteyedom Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 333	Would you be happy paying $501 for the rifle? Then buying it for $500 is a deal I __________________ Superman, you are a mean drunk

December 11, 2012, 04:37 PM	#3
Photofreestyle Junior Member Join Date: December 11, 2012 Posts: 3	So $500 is a fair price, even if it turns out to be a non ceremonial rifle?

December 12, 2012, 09:44 AM	#5
Photofreestyle Junior Member Join Date: December 11, 2012 Posts: 3	Im going back up there this afternoon, and talk to the guy again. He has told me he had seen some on the auction sites going for 700+, and thats how they determined it was a guard,palace, or presentation rifle. Might even call up FN and see if they can give me any info on it as well. Either way, its a nice,clean gun, and I will probably get it, if its still up there, but didnt want to buy it because if the story he had told me.

December 12, 2012, 01:11 PM	#6
gak Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2005 Location: Aridzona Posts: 2,767	I'd say go for it. I had a 1951 FN ,270 my father had made when stationed in England - ordered it custom built in Belgium and stocked (very nice but understated) in Germany where he picked it up when under assignment in Wiesbaden. Alas, it was stolen several years ago. A real loss. Also turned down bolt - or more Model 70 like I guess you'd say. Can't beat an old FN. Definitely one of those "don't make 'em like they used to" guns. Does it say chrome-molly (IIRC) on the barrel?