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Title:	RIFLE, MILITARY -  FN RIFLE T48 7.62MM SN# 002
Maker/Manufacturer:	FABRIQUE NATIONALE
Date of Manufacture:
Eminent Figure:
Catalog Number:	SPAR 3673
Measurements:	OL:112.3CM 44 1/4" BL: 21" 9.43 lbs. empty

Object Description:

FN RIFLE T48 7.62MM SN# 002
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.

Markings:
Receiver: FABRIQUE NATIONALE D'ARMES DE GUERRE-HERSTAL. BELGIUM. RIFLE, CALIBER .30, T48 F.N. 002.
Magazine housing: 2.
Stock: A-1 in red taped on.

Weapon transferred to the Museum on 2 February 1959.

Notes: "In July our Commanding Officer, Colonel Crowe, retired, and was replaced by Colonel Ludlam who had been Chief of the Boston Ordnance District. Colonel Ludlam was also keenly interested in our rifle program. The summer proceeded with various tests of new design features and problem areas in both rifles. In the T48, we explored the possible safety hazard if the weapon should be fired partially unlatched, either due to dirt in the mechanism, or carelessness. Before running the test we could image all sorts of terrible consequences that might result. Actually, we discovered the action could be open several degrees before any damage occurred. Then the nature of the damage was only to bend the rod attached to the bolt carrier as it entered the stock to compress the mainspring. Another question was how the stock would stand up when launching grenades from hard ground. Both the T44 and T48 now had means of shutting off the gas to the gas system when launching grenades. So, the real question was how the rather slim stock of the FN would stand up against the shock of grenade launching. We found that with the short neck cartridge now authorized, and proper attachment of the stock to the receiver, that the stock could stand a reasonable degree of pounding before splitting. The force was straight back through the wood, whereas in the T44 with the drop stock, bending stresses as well as compressive stresses were brought to bear, justifying the slightly heavier section in the rear part of the T44 stock." - Rayle

References:
Rayle, Roy E. RANDOM SHOTS: EPISODES IN THE LIFE OF A WEAPONS DEVELOPER. Merriam Press. Burlington, Vt. 1997.