FN Herstal Model 1930 24/30 Venezuelan Contract Short Rifle, 7x57mm Mauser, Belgian-Made, 23" Barrel
This FN Herstal Model 1930 Short Rifle (24/30 Venezuelan Contract) is a Mauser-pattern bolt action chambered in 7mm Mauser (7x57mm), made in Belgium in 1936–1937. It bears the Venezuelan national crest on the receiver ring and the factory sidewall legend "FAB. NATIONALE D'ARMES DE GUERRE – HERSTAL – BELGIQUE." Built on a Mauser 98-type action with a stepped 23" barrel and military iron sights, it combines clear contract markings with classic Belgian manufacture.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Overall Condition: Good - Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling - Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Details: This rifle is in solid shape. It shows various cosmetic imperfections, scratches, and blemishes, along with areas of finish loss. The bore remains clean and shiny.
What's Included
- FN Herstal Model 1930 Short Rifle (Venezuelan Contract 24/30) in 7mm Mauser (7x57mm)
Made in Belgium, this short rifle features the Venezuelan national crest prominently stamped on the receiver ring, along with the factory "Herstal – Belgique" sidewall marking. The serial number is repeated on the receiver ring and stock, aligning with military-production practices for this contract.
It uses a Mauser 98-type action with a full-length external claw extractor and charger-clip guide. Feeding is from an internal 5-round magazine, with a 5+1 capacity specification. The approximately 23" stepped barrel is correct to the short-rifle configuration.
Sighting equipment consists of a tangent ladder rear sight with metric graduations and a pinned front blade protected by sturdy ears. The rifle is fitted with two barrel bands and a bayonet lug nose cap, with sling swivels mounted on the belly.
The hardwood stock is full-length with a semi-pistol grip and a recoil crossbolt, ending in a steel buttplate. Finish configuration follows contract pattern: the barrel, bands, and bottom metal are blued, while the receiver, bolt, and buttplate are left in the white. Length of pull is 13.0.