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Title:	RIFLE, MILITARY -  FN RIFLE T48 7.62MM SN# 140
Maker/Manufacturer:	FABRIQUE NATIONALE
Date of Manufacture:
Eminent Figure:
Catalog Number:	SPAR 3662
Measurements:	OL:104.7CM 41 1/4" BL: 21" 9.47 lbs. empty

Object Description:

FN RIFLE T48 7.62MM SN# 140
Manufactured by Fabrique Nationale, Herstal, Belgium - The T48 is a lightweight, air-cooled, gas-operated, magazine-fed should weapon designed primarily for semiautomatic fire. The breech mechanism is actuated by a gas impingement system powered by gas from a gas port in the barrel. The gas impinging upon the gas piston drives it rearward in the gas cylinder and imparts sufficient momentum to the breech mechanism to complete the recoil stoke. A gas bleeder, consisting of a gas escape passage in the gas plug and a hole in the gas block, is covered by an adjustable gas regulator and provides a means for regulation of the gas power for various operating conditions. The breech mechanism consists of a bolt assembly and a bolt carrier assembly; the carrier controls the bolt assembly during the complete functioning cycle. Rearward motion (or recoil stroke) of the breech mechanism compresses the driving springs, inclosed by a tube in the stock, which store the necessary energy to return the breech mechanism to battery position. Extraction and ejection are effected during the recoil stroke; stripping and chambering of the top round from the magazine are effected during the counterrecoil stroke of the breech mechanism. The breech mechanism is equipped with a manually operated cocking handle. This mechanism includes a bolt-assist home feature which may be used if additional force is required to close the bolt. Gas pressure may be shut off from the piston (for the purpose of launching grenades) by adjustment of the gas plug. The rifle can be equipped for automatic fire by assembly of an automatic change lever and an automatic trigger spring plunger, and can be set on SAFE by proper positioning of the change lever. Fed by 20-round detachable box magazine. Four-groove rifling, right hand twist. Muzzle velocity 2760 fps. Maximum range 3500 yds. Cyclic rate of fire 600 rpm. Weapon weighs approximately 9.43 lbs. empty. Flash suppressor missing.

Markings:
Receiver: FARBRIQUE NATIONALE D'ARMES DE GUERRE-HERSTAL-BELGIUM. RIFLE CALIBER .30 T48 +.

Weapon transferred to the Museum on 5 January 1965. At that time weapon was appraised at $250.00.

Notes: "By April 1955 tests were under way at Fort Benning to test the three main development rifles, the T44, the T48 and the FN, which were of the same lot as the rifles just tested in the Arctic. By this time, the board at Benning had perfected the test course in which the rifles were scientifically subjected to a rugged series of tests designed to detect any susceptibility to sand, dust, mud or rough handling, under simulated combat conditions. In these tests, and particularly in sand, dust or mud conditions, it was found that the T44 was appreciably superior to the T48 or the FN.
The problem with the FN seemed to be in the close fitting surfaces required between the bolt and carrier, and the carrier and receiver throughout the bolt cycling operation. Sand or mud would increase friction to where the weapon would stop firing. The T44 bolt had such a loose fit once it was unlocked that it could tolerate considerably more foreign material before stopping. The British had experienced the same type of trouble with the FN when tried out in the area of the Suez Canal during the crisis there, and were quite concerned over stoppages the FN rifles encountered in blown sand. Steps were being taken both in the UK and the Belgium to correct the situation by providing additional clearance or cutting diagonal slots such that once the sand got into the mechanism, the slots would tend to work the sand out.
The tests at Benning were stopped to permit time for us at Springfield Armory to also work on modified designs of the T48 to permit more dust, mud and sand tolerance." - Rayle


References:
Rayle, Roy E. RANDOM SHOTS: EPISODES IN THE LIFE OF A WEAPONS DEVELOPER. Merriam Press. Burlington, Vt. 1997.
See, Work Request Replies - "LWDB" No. 1822, 1885, 1898 in library.