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FN49. Grab it, or walk away?

asphalt cowboy
Ran across an FN49 at the gunshow Saturday that the seller wanted $650 for. Since I didn't have the cash and he wouldn't take a check, I left it on the table.

So here's what it looked like. Sorry no pics.
The condition is very good other than a small gouge on the fore end it has what I think is an incorrect buttplate. It could be the identical twin of the CAI 49 I had a number of years ago except that it has one of the brass trap door butplates on it instead of the plastic type mine had.

I've been watching them on the auction side and the prices make me want to kick m'self. I only paid $125 for the one I traded for a 22 Hornet.

I don't know whether the CAI guns are rearsenaled or parts guns assembled by them. Are they worth 2/3-3/4 the price of the well used ones (some look truly abused) that I'm seeing on the auction side?

Forgot to mention. I got the guys phone number, and he's not more than 60 mile away.
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Comments

6 comments

Date Votes
  • rufe-snow
    The ones with the brass butt plates are the Egyptian contracts in 8mm. Unless the stock/butt plate has been changed out with one of the other contracts FN 49's.

    The way things are nowadays, $650 seems way overpriced for a Egyptian contract FN 49, IMHO. It better be factory original, NIB condition, for that joker to be trying to get that kind of money out of it.
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  • Don McManus
    What caliber is it?

    If it is a 30-06, I would say $ 650.00 is a steal. I have seen 8mm at a couple of recent shows for $ 750.00 plus that did not sell.
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  • dfletcher
    I had one of those, I believe the stock is an aftermarket (Italian) wood in mud brown with the hardness of pine and virtually no grain. I just coudn't warm up to it, dumped it and bought one with nice original wood. IIRC, I sold the thing 2 years ago for $800.00.

    Although Century has mucked up a few guns in reworking them, I don't think there's much rework involved in their 49s. I would ensure the bore looks fine and if you're OK paying $650.00 get it. But for me, part of the charm of getting the gun is appearance and if it's the version I think it is it just didn't do it for me.
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  • asphalt cowboy
    quote:Originally posted by dfletcher
    I had one of those, I believe the stock is an aftermarket (Italian) wood in mud brown with the hardness of pine and virtually no grain.


    That's the one. It's an Egyptian in 8mm. The stock and metal are in what I would call "very good" condition. Aside from the really small nick and mismatched buttplate I would estimate the wood and metal at 95+%.

    Considering the price drops on most semi-auto rifles it likely is over priced. Over the last couple of years though I've seen several battle weary 49's with frosted or dark bores sell on the auction side for well over what he wants for this one.

    If you want to see an over priced example of an Egyptian check this one out.
    http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=154756918
    As recently as three months ago I've seen ones in this condition going for upwards of $800-900.

    I've no dought he still has it. Around here most folks wouldn't recognize an FN49 if you slapped'em with it. Even fewer would consider owning such a large, heavy rifle unless it were a Garand.
    I'll ponder this some more, and when he brings it to our local show next month I'll try working the price with him.
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  • MIKE WISKEY
    from limited info I got on these CAI imported a bunch of them without stocks, most were in exc. cond. they had stocks made for them (with plastic butt plates). I had one about a year ago, it shot very well.
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  • asphalt cowboy
    quote:Originally posted by MIKE WISKEY
    I had one about a year ago, it shot very well.


    That was one of the things that impressed me most about the one I had. Low recoil and very accurate. I hung clay pigeons on a mud creek bank and consistantly shot them from 100 yards. Even took a nice big doe with it during the short time I had it.
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