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Title:	RIFLE, MILITARY -  FN RIFLE T48 7.62MM SN# HS2
Maker/Manufacturer:	FABRIQUE NATIONALE
Date of Manufacture:	1954
Eminent Figure:
Catalog Number:	SPAR 3674
Measurements:	OL:104.7CM 41 1/4" BL: 21" 9.43 lbs. empty

Object Description:

FN RIFLE T48 7.62MM SN# HS2
Manufactured by High Standard Mfg. Co., Hamden, Ct. in 1954 - 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. Plastic forearm. Flash suppresoor, cocking handle missing.

Markings:
Receiver: RIFLE CAL.30 T-48/HS2. HIGH STANDARD MFG. CO. HAMDEN, CONN.

Weapon transferred to the Museum on 2 February 1959. At that time weapon was appraised at $250.00.

Notes: "In the U.S. the competition was now between the F.N.-F.A.L. or T48 and the T44 developed by Springfield Armory. Improved models of both rifles were scheduled for further tests in the winter of 1954-1955. Thirteen special test models of the T48 were manufactured in the United States by the High-Standard Manufacturing Corp., Hamden, Connecticut, to U.S. specifications that included changing form metric to U.S. scales of measurement. In a further production study, a contracts for the manufacture of 500 T48's was awarded Harrington & Richardson Inc., Worcester, Masschusetts, as an educational contract and to discover any unforseen problems that might result from production.
During 1954-55-56 the United States made T48's and the 3,200 Belgian-made guns were given extensive Arctic and troop tests. With further modifications, the F.N. T48 completed all tests, and the Test Board found both the T48 and the and T44 rifles suitable for production.
At this point the F.N.-F.A.L. rifle was a much different weapon than the prototype 7.92mm Kurz light automatic rifle presented to the British for testing in 1947. With the increases in caliber and power made during its development, it had changed from a short, lightweight, medium-powered weapon into a full length, 9 1/2 lbs, full-powered rifle." - Johnson & Lockhoven

References:
See, "LWDB" No. 1749, 2074, 2094.