The Fabrique Nationale Model 1949 (often referred to as the FN-49 or SAFN) is a semi-automatic rifle designed by Dieudonné Saive and manufactured by Fabrique Nationale. While well-regarded for its high build quality and reliability in comparison to the rifles of the time, its marketability was limited, as it was not developed in time for use in World War II. By the time it was introduced, many militaries had already begun to switch over to selective fire assault rifles. As a result, the FN-49 found itself in direct competition with a number of more modern rifles such as the Heckler & Koch G3 and Fabrique Nationale de Herstal's own FN FAL, resulting in limited sales. Despite this tough competition, it was still picked up by a number of national militaries, seeing use with army forces in Argentina, Belgium, the Belgian Congo, Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Indonesia, Luxembourg, and Venezuela.[1]
In the early 1930's, Fabrique Nationale's chief firearm designer, Dieudonne Saive, experimented with a number of recoil-operated rifle designs. While little came of these experiments, they would become the basis for a gas-operated semi-automatic rifle, which he patented in 1936 and prototyped in 1937. Photographs of these prototypes still exist, and they show a number of characteristics that would later appear in the FN-49. This rifle was still in development in early 1939, and a version with a 5-round magazine was about to be marketed. When German armies invaded Poland, these plans were delayed to increase production of bolt-action rifles and machine guns for the Belgian military.
The German invasion of Belgium in May 1940 interrupted any plans for the production of the new model, as Liège, home of FN's factory, was occupied by the German military. Despite this setback, Saive was able to escape to England via Portugal in 1941, where he continued work on various firearms projects. By 1943, Saive was back to working on his experimental rifle, now chambered for 7.92×57mm Mauser. Late that year, the Royal Small Arms Factory Enfield ordered 50 prototypes (designated "EXP-1" and sometimes referred to as "SLEM-1" or "Self-Loading Experimental Model"). Based on tests with these prototypes, Enfield placed an order for 2,000 rifles for troop trials, but a last-minute problem with the moderation of the gas pressure (as well as the impending end of World War II) led to the cancellation of this order. Despite this, Saive (who had returned to Liège shortly after its liberation in September 1944) continued work on the rifle, and finalized the design for the FN-49 in 1947.
With the rifle complete, FN started looking for customers. The new communist satellite states were not an option, as they were required to buy or build Soviet designs. The Western European nations had vast stocks of World War II firearms, and so did not really need to buy much of anything. They also could get American and British weapons aid, which was inexpensive or free. So FN decided to market to non-aligned countries who did not want to commit to Western or Soviet doctrine, which would be inevitable when accepting aid.
The first nation to place an order for FN-49 rifles would be Venezuela, who received 2000 rifles chambered for 7×57mm Mauser. Other South American countries would also express interest in the rifle, with Argentina and Columbia also purchasing rifles (with the Argentine rifles chambered in 7.65×53mm Argentine and the Columbian rifles chambered in .30-06). Brazil would also briefly look into the rifle, ordering a test rifle chambered for 7.62x51 NATO. Outside of South America, a number of countries also elected to adopt the FN-49. Egypt ended up purchasing almost 38,000 FN-49 rifles chambered in 8mm Mauser. The Belgian government would adopt the rifle as standard issue up until it was replaced by the FAL, and they bought a lot of them. The contract for Belgium totaled 87,777 FN-49 rifles total, all chambered for .30-06 Springfield, composing almost half of all FN-49 rifles ever produced.
Character Design
FN-49's hair accessory is a poppy flower.
According to her artist, Bison仓鼠, the illustration for her Neural upgrade was finished a year before release.
Gallery
Main artwork
Gallery consisting of artworks used primarily in-game. For information on how to obtain certain costumes, see Skin Catalogue.
Profile image
Full artwork
Full damaged artwork
Neural Upgrade profile image
Neural Upgrade full artwork
Neural Upgrade full damaged artwork
"Daydream Under the Parasol" full artwork
"Daydream Under the Parasol" full damaged artwork
"Virtue of the Silk Brocade" full artwork
"Virtue of the Silk Brocade" full damaged artwork
Alternative artwork
Alternate gallery consisting of artworks with slight alterations as well as miscellaneous artworks.
"Summer With Me" login wallpaper illustrated by ???.
"Downy Snow in Spring" Login wallpaper illustrated by ???.
Trivia
In the EN release of Girls' Frontline, this gun's name was initially changed to FF-49, to avoid copyright issues.
As of June 26th, 2018, her name was changed from FF-49 to FF FN49 in the EN server. In the JP server, she already had this name at launch.
Several prototype FN-49 rifles were made in other calibers, including at least five in 6.5×55mm for testing in Sweden, one in caliber 7.5×54mm French for testing in Syria, one in caliber .30-06 for testing in the United States, and one in caliber 7.62×51mm NATO for Brazil.
In the late 1960's, the Argentinian military would modify their FN-49 rifles to chamber 7.62 NATO, likely in order to have the rifle use the same ammo as the FN FAL rifle then in standard service with the Argentinian armed forces. This was done by replacing the barrel and extractor. In addition, the trigger guards were modified to allow to take a new 20 round detachable box magazine.
