What is a FN-FAL?
The Fusil Automatique Léger ("Light Automatic Rifle") or FAL is a
self-loading, selective fire battle rifle produced by the Belgian
armaments manufacturer Fabrique Nationale de Herstal (FN). During the
Cold War it was adopted by many North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO) countries, with the notable exception of the United States. It
is one of the most widely used rifles in history, having been used by
over 90 countries.
What is a G Series?
There were a total of 1,848 G Series FAL's imported by Browning
Arms. Additional information below is a summarized version of an atf
letter sent out in 1974 regarding G Series FALs. The full version can
be found Here in our Documents section.
3. BACKGROUND. From September 5, 1959 to January 10, 1963, the Browning
Arms Company, St Louis, Missouri, imported 1,836 FAL rifles in caliber
7.62mm from Fabrique Nationale, Herstal, Belgium. Subsequent to January
10, 1963, the Bureau classified this rifle as a machine gun. However it
was determined that the 1,863 rifles imported by Browning would be
exempt from the provisions of the National Firearms Act. Additionally
twelve FN FAL rifles were imported through an administrative error in
1974. These 12 rifles are also exempt from the provisions of the
National Firearms Act.
5. DESCRIPTION OF MARKINGS. All G Series and GL Series FAL rifles will
be marked FAL. cal. 7.62 on the left side of the receiver and Fabrique
Nationale D'Armes De Guerre-Herstal Belgique on the right side of the
receiver. The selector positions will be marked "S" for safe, "R" for
semiautomatic, and "A" for automatic. The selector lever is designed so
that it cannot be rotated to the automatic position.
The Standard and Paratroop Models will have the same markings as above
plus "Browning Arms Co. Arnold Mo. and Montreal P.Q." on the right side
of the magazine well. The selector lever can be rotated to the
automatic position but the rifle will fire only semiautomatically.
6. ACTION. If a rifle bearing one of the above serial numbers has been
converted to fire full automatic, it is classified as a machine gun and
is subject to all the provisions of the National Firearms Act.
[signed]
REX D. DAVIS Director