This doesn't exactly fit here although it is built from milsurp parts on a semi-automatic Imbel receiver, which is a Brazilian maker of military firearms...but it certainly doesn't fit under AR or AK either...I dropped by my LGS Saturday and saw this FAL. I picked it up, looked it over, disassembled the bolt but not the gas system…had a hard time putting it back on the rack but I had a few questions to research. I found some answers and got some feedback, so I went back when they reopened for the week on Tuesday, checked out the gas system and asked for a 4473.
It’s a mixmaster consisting of a German G1 barrel, gas system, flash hider and bolt carrier group. The flash hider type is characteristic of the G1. The Eagle mark on the bolt carrier is also an indicator of German use. SNs on the FN bolt and bolt carrier match and the receiver cover and barrel are FN (or Liege) marked. The 7 with the open bottom on the square indicates the bolt carrier group was made in the 3rd quarter of 1957. The H with a star is for inspector Christophe Woit who served from 1938-68, consistent with that date. Both of these bits of info are from Anthony Vanderlinden's excellent recent release, "FN Mauser Rifles". It also has a nice sharp Liege final proof on the barrel.
The lower is from an R1 (South African build) that saw service in the former Rhodesia (1965-80), which is now Zimbabwe, based on the bits of blue-green paint scattered about and the electropenciled RA12656. They did use G1s (or anything they could get outside of the general arms embargo). The magazine is also consistent with Rhodesian or South African use. No idea if this mixed kit came this way and was built onto the Imbel (Brazilian) receiver or if someone pieced together the parts. It has a Tapco gas piston and American made (C marked) plastic handguard. Perhaps there are other American parts scattered about but it’s not my 922r concern because this is the way I bought it.
These are incredibly easy to field strip with no tools or force. Pop the lever up to open the receiver halves at the hinge bolt, pull the bolt carrier group; rotate the gas plug (just like an FN49) 90 degrees and pull the piston and spring, and that’s it.
Anyhow, all I really know is that it’s a bad azz scary black rifle that spits .308 diameter 147 gr bullets! Makes me want to break into a Warren Zevon song and has me itching for a range trip.
Barrel
Bolt Carrier Group
German contract
1957
Action Cover
"Inch Pattern" Enfield Safety Lever
Rhodesian Usage Characteristics: Blue-green Paint, EP'd RA Number, South African Magazine