Original FN FAL Value? ('81 manufacture?)

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myrockfight

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I've come across an original FAL from FN in Belgium. The serial number is "xxx2081" (I thought the last two numbers might be the date of manufacture). ".308 Match" is on the left side of the reciever. "Fabrique Nationale Herstal, Made in Belgium, Steyr Secaugus N.J." is the the right side behind the ejection port.

It has a Karl Kahles scope. I'm assuming the model is HELIA S. The power is "2,2 - 9 X 42"

Finish is 100%. I know with absolute certainty it has less than 500 rounds through it. I am 90% sure it had less than 100 through it.

I doesn't come in the original box, but it does have at least one piece of the original literature.


I know there are a lot of people building FALs, but I know the original owner of the firearm and it has been in his possession, save for the manufacturer and the retailer, for its whole life - so I am not worried in the least about any authenticity issues. There are certainly those out there trying to pass off non-originals as such though and I would be concerned about this issue in any other situation.

The seller has offered a fair price on it (from what info I know about it), but I was wondering what the actual retail value of it is.

Any educated guesses? Or actual sales that you have heard of. I've tried gunbroker for closed auctions, but couldn't find anything to give me a real solid idea.

I appreciate the help!
 
Actual FN FALs seem to run upwards of $2500 from the little bit of pricing I've done at the online gun auction sites and such. I would assume the optics mount and scope add to the value, though no idea how much. It's definitely in the collectable realm more than a shooter, price wise, though.
 
I've spent some time on the FAL Files.

$2500 is a pretty good ballpark number.

But remember, when you start talking about collectibles, value is every bit as much, and no more than, somebody else is willing to pay.

As we well know, a seller's skills at marketing, and his patience, will often bring the higher price.
Some guns stay "for sale" forever.
 
If you get it for $2500 I'd say that you got a good deal.

Any cheaper and it would be a great deal.

Any more and it would be an acceptable deal, up to about $3K.
 
You need to post this over on the FAL forum at www.falfiles.com. You'll get your answer and stir up a lot of excitement.
Click to expand...

I still haven't been approved to post on that site yet. Are the mods just slow to do this, or does all the new members get the "go ahead" at the end of the week. It is really annoying!
 
I believe it's automated like most forums - check your spam-filter if you have one. Did you use your correct email-address?
 
?????

Everytime I try to post I get the following message:

"Your account has been activated but you are currently in the moderation queue to be added to the forum."

Is there anyone over there that would be able to prod the mods? :confused:
 
Whoa! Ok, let me hop over there and ask someone for you!

Edit: I've posted your request out in public over there - hopefully one of the mods will answer soon. I'll post back in this thread once I hear something.
 
Nice rifle. I'd love a Belgian made FAL or one of the Lithgow Aussie made rifles.

Unfortunately, they don't come around too often and are pricey when they do.

I have a really nice smith-built STG on an Imbel receiver in standard 50.00 configuration though, so I do have a good shooter. Still, it would be cool to have an "authentic" factory FAL as well.
 
When I was a customs broker I got a call from a prospective importer who wanted to import full auto, put them in the foreign trade zone and convert them to semi auto. The deal fell thru as atf wouldn't give him permission. If I remember correctely atf denied because they claimed it was impossible to convert them permanentely and they could be made full auto again.
 
I was recently offered $3000 for mine, and I don't have a Kahles scope for it! Search GunBroker for FAL Match, or FN/FAL Match. There are several closed auctions and a couple current ones.

P.S. I turned down the offer :)
 
Do you guys know what kind of accuracy can be expected from the "Match" version?

I was reading about FALs and an article mentioned 2" at 100 yards, but I didn't know if it was a match version or not. Another article mentioned that the accuracy is inherently hampered by the tilting block design.

She is a real beauty though. I can get it a lot cheaper than what you guys have been quoting. It is a no brainer, but I have to scrape together the funds as they are very tight right now.
 
You don't need a Match version of the FAL for 2" groups, just a well built (DSA) FAL with a decent scope and good reloads. The following 2" 100 yard group was obtained with carefully constructed reloads using milsurp components.

Don

FAL1.jpg


FAL_target.jpg
 
Accuracy?

You don't need a Match version of the FAL for 2" groups, just a well built (DSA) FAL with a decent scope and good reloads. The following 2" 100 yard group was obtained with carefully constructed reloads using milsurp components.

Don

Thanks Don. Do you have a good idea of what a Match will do? I was wondering if 1" at 100 yards was possible (or even average). Do you have any experience with one or an educated guess? It sounds like a match could do 1".

HSO - thanks for the reinforcement. It helps to hear everyone concur.
 
Still no reply from the mods at falfiles, Rock - they must be on a go-slow or something.
 
Thanks Don. Do you have a good idea of what a Match will do? I was wondering if 1" at 100 yards was possible (or even average). Do you have any experience with one or an educated guess? It sounds like a match could do 1".
Click to expand...

myrockfight,

No idea what a Match version will do. However, if you are looking for something with 1MOA accuracy potential, I would be looking at the AR10 platform rather than the FAL.

Don
 
Oh, by the way, I applied to be a member at FALfiles a couple days ago and haven't been accepted yet either.
 
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