FN 1889/36 BELGIAN CONGO MAUSER RIFLE

A Brief History on these rifles:

The Force Publique ran into the same problem in World War II as it had in the Great War . Unable to obtain new ammunition, its ability to sustain extended campaigns with its prewar issued arms was compromised. The Model 1889 and 89/36 were used extensively in the Abyssinian campaigns, but as the war dragged on, the Force Publique was integrated with British colonial troops and issued British equipment including Enfield rifles in .303 caliber due to depleted 7.65x53mm ammunition stocks. It is not clear what happened to the issued Enfield rifles at war's end. It is as though the Belgian administrators decided to revert back to the standard Belgian military 7.65x53mm cartridge as soon as possible. Obtaining new equipment in 1945 was impossible, FN was only producing the Model 1922 and 1935 High Power pistols. The Ministère des Colonies (Ministry of Colonies), which was responsible for all colonial acquisitions including arms, was trying to reorganize after years of occupation. FN's prewar involvement in the Belgian military Model 1935 rifles was limited, and nonexistent in the Model 89/36 project, which was strictly a Belgian arsenal and AEP conversion (page 316). As FN was tackling the challenges of restarting product lines, it was reluctant to accept contracts for designs that deviated from its product lines. The Belgian state arsenal did not have anything to offer as raw materials were scarce and production capabilities were far worse than FN. The Belgian government adopted specific FN models only because these were available in time of need. The Ministère des Colonies found itself in the same situation and ordered the Mauser rifle in 7.65x53mm. While Belgium was still assess new rifle and ordering stockpiles of 7.65mm Spitzer ammo. This ammunition was compatible with surviving Model 89/36 rifles and prewar machine guns such as the Colt Model 1914 machine gun still in inventory. It is not clear if the colonial administration ordered any ogive 7.65x53mm ammunition and how many Model 1889 rifles were still in use at that time. The initial rifle orders were followed by inquiries for training rifles. The Marga company that provided the prewar training cartridges did not survive the war and FN was approached for a solution. This culminated in the development and order of the .22 caliber trainer (see page 374). its military equipment and future needs, the Belgian Congo leapt forward by adopting the While the Belgian Congo set an early example in rearmament and ordered the Model 1930 in 7.65x53mm caliber in 1948 and 1951, it would eventually follow the new guidelines set by Belgium and adopt the .30-06 cartridge. Orders were placed for .30-06 caliber BAR machine guns (1951), .30-06 caliber FN-49 (SAFN) rifles (1951) and .30-06 caliber Model 1930 Mauser rifles in 1952. Older rifles in 7.65x53mm caliber, mainly Model 89/36 and Model 1930 (1948 and 1951 contracts), remained in service. It is likely that some of these were reworked to ,30-06 caliber as few survive in original caliber. The Ministry of Colonies ordered rifles with a black enamel finish over a phosphate base. Bolts were finished in a phosphate finish. The Belgian/Congolese Lion with F.P. (Force Publique) was roll engraved on the receiver ring. The corrugated butt plate was selected, this part was also painted black to provide a superior resistance to corrosion. Accessories included the long Modèle 24 bayonet with phosphated blade, the narrow 24 mm sling, and the muzzle cap with flip up muzzle cover. The rifle was known in the Congo by its Belgian military designation: Fusil Modèle 1924 (see page 354). The Force Publique Model 1930 Mauser rifles were in widespread service in 1960 when the Congo gained indepen- dence. It did not take long for the country to be engulfed in a bloody civil war. offspring of the Force The newly formed A.N.C. (Armée Nationale Congolaise - Congolese National Army) was Publique. A.N.C. troops were mostly armed with Model 1930 Mauser rifles, some FN-49 (SAFN), Vigneron SMGS, and FAL rifles. As the war against the Simba rebellion continued and demands on equipment increased, A.N.C troops were also issued older Model 1889 and 89/36 rifles. Simba rebels used anything they got their hands on from clubs and machetes to captured Mauser rifles.

Created by Postwar Model 1930 Production Most of the Congolese contract arms found on the collector market today, came from the November 24, 1964 rescue operation to evacuate civilian hostages from Stanleyville (now Kisangani) and smaller towns. The operation (Opera- tion Dragon Rouge - Operation Red Dragon) was a joint effort between the U.S. Air Force, Belgian Paratroopers, and Congolese A.N.C. regulars. At the same time quantities of seized arms and ammunition including FN Mauser rifles were flown out of the Congo.

Source: FN Mauser Rifles by Anthony Vanderlinden.