The Venezuelan FN 24/30 short rifle represents one of the finest examples of Fabrique Nationale’s interwar Mauser production. Built in Belgium during the 1930s for Venezuela’s armed forces, this rifle combines classic Mauser 98 reliability with FN’s exceptional manufacturing quality.
Like many Latin American contract Mausers, these rifles often survived decades in storage with minimal use, which makes them especially appealing to collectors today.
This entry documents both the historical context and collector significance of the Venezuelan FN 24/30.
Contract History
During the early 1930s, Venezuela sought to modernize its military small arms inventory. The government contracted Fabrique Nationale in Herstal, Belgium, to produce a new standard infantry rifle based on the Mauser system.
The result was the FN Model 1930 short rifle — commonly referred to by collectors as the FN 24/30.
Approximately 16,500 rifles were delivered in the mid-1930s, chambered in 7×57mm Mauser, a cartridge already familiar throughout Latin America.
These rifles would serve during a transitional period before Venezuela later adopted semi-automatic FN-49 rifles and eventually the FN FAL.
Because of this relatively short service window, many FN 24/30 rifles remained in excellent condition when they eventually entered the surplus market.
Rifle Overview
The FN 24/30 is a classic Mauser 98-pattern short rifle with the balance and handling typical of interwar military designs.
Typical characteristics include:
- FN Model 1930 Mauser action
- 7×57mm Mauser chambering
- Approximately 23-inch barrel
- Tangent rear sight graduated to 2000 meters
- Walnut stock without grasping grooves
- Polished bolt and receiver with blued barrel and hardware
FN’s machining and finishing quality is immediately apparent when handling one of these rifles.
Venezuelan Crest and Markings
One of the most striking features of the Venezuelan contract rifles is the national crest stamped on the receiver ring, surrounded by the inscription:
E.E.U.U. DE VENEZUELA
(Estados Unidos de Venezuela)
The left receiver wall is marked:
FAB. NAT. D’ARMES DE GUERRE — HERSTAL BELGIQUE
Matching serial numbers are typically found on the receiver, bolt, and stock.
Condition and Collector Appeal
Venezuelan FN Mausers are well known among collectors for their condition. Many examples show:
- Strong original bluing
- Excellent bores
- Matching serial numbers
- Minimal handling wear
Some were imported into the United States before modern import marking requirements, which adds to their collector appeal.
These rifles often appear closer to arsenal-stored condition than field-used military arms.
Closing Thoughts
The Venezuelan FN 24/30 represents the final refinement of the Mauser bolt-action service rifle before semi-automatic designs became dominant.
It combines:
- Belgian craftsmanship
- Latin American military history
- Classic Mauser engineering
- Excellent survivability in collector condition
For anyone interested in contract Mausers — especially Latin American examples — the Venezuelan FN 24/30 stands as one of the most elegant and historically interesting rifles of the period.
Contract Mauser 
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