Pulled the barreled action on the mashburn arms rifle and read FN 1943 belgium on it.Is a 1943 FN belgium action a good one to build a 375H&H rifle?What kind of bottom metal can fit these older actions?Browning or mark x parts might fit?Would like to change the safty also,will a 3 position winchester style work? 375 ammo feeds slick in it..
Thanks in advance!

quote:

Is a 1943 FN belgium action a good one to build a 375H&H rifle?

what caliber is it now?

Its a 375 H&H now already,I also found a proof mark that looks like a x with crown above,any idea what this proof means?Just wondered about the 375 being a safe pressure in a 1943 FN action.Anything to worry about?
Thanks

The 375 H&H has been around since 1912.....or so...

I can see no reason a 1943 action shouldn't be "up to it"

Take it to a competent smith for a check up..... much of which will be visual!!!

Tie it to a tire and fire by pulling a string.....check for ease of bolt opening.....

If you're seriously worried.....remove the barrel and check for lug setback in the receiver.

It is unsafe!

End your worrys and send it to me. I will despose of it properly.

PM me for my address

Is it a commercial or military action?

A commercial action would have a solid left wall, and no stripper clip slot on top.

The reason I asked is that Belgium was occupied by the Nazis from 1940 to 1945. Any actions made would most likely have been military, and would probably have been confiscated by the Germans.

The FN commercial action as we know it today would have been made post-WWII. Is it possible the 1943 is actually a weak stamping of 1948?

I agree,I bet the date is 1948,it looks like it could go either way and at first i thought it looked like 1948.The side doesnt have a stripper slot,it goes all the way across solid.So i guess this is a good strong action?I will load it down some just to be safe.The rifle looks to be in great solid working condition...and well cared for with lots of honest battle scars & stories to tell...kinda like some of us here at AR Thanks!

You most likely have a 1948 commercial action as those made prior have thumb cuts and stripper clip guides. This rifle was made in 1947:

The 98 is short for the H&H cartridges,see where they removed metal to fit.Then judge for your self.