my dad has this old rifle.... has had it for longer than i can remember. need some help with an ID. left side of the rec. says "fuerzas de armadas de venezuela" and " FAB. NAT. de guerre - HERSTAL BELGIQUE". Ive done some looking but havnt come up with much....anyone have any ideas??

I can tell just from the inscriptions (can't see the forum images on this computer) that it's a rifle made in Belgium by FN for Venezuela. That would make it a military contract rifle, of one type of mauser or the other. Probably 7x57mm. I'm not completely familiar with all of the south american mauser variants; there were a few.

Will look at the pictures tomorrow on my other computer, but most likely someone else will have chipped in with more information by then.

In The Book of Rifles, by W.H. B. Smith and Joseph Smith, the Venezuelaian Mauser was built by FN. These are listed as models 1924 and 1924-30. they were built in both 7mm and 7.92 mm.

These rifles are generaly of very good quality. To be positive of the chambering have the chamber cast and checked by a gunsmith. Be positive of the proper catridge before you fire this rifle.

Good Shooting. Alan