Fabrique Nationale Herstal (French for 'National Factory Herstal'), trading asFN Herstal and often referred to as Fabrique Nationale or simply FN, is a leading firearms manufacturer based in Herstal, Belgium. It is currently the largest exporter of military small arms in Europe.[1]
FN America is the U.S. subsidiary of FN Herstal, which was formed by the merger of FN's previous two American subsidiaries – FN Manufacturing and FNH USA.[3] A United Kingdom based manufacturing facility, FNH UK, is also in operation.
FN Herstal originated in the small city of Herstal, near Liège. The Fabrique Nationale d'Armes de Guerre (French for 'National Factory of Weapons of War') was established in 1889 to manufacture 150,000 Mauser Model 89 rifles ordered by the Belgian government.[2] FN was co-founded by the major arms makers of the Liège region, with Henri Pieper of Anciens Etablissements Pieper being the driving force and the primary shareholder of the new company. In 1897, the company entered into a long-lasting relationship with John Browning, a well-known American firearms designer.[2]
The company was an important manufacturer of motor vehicles in Belgium, a development championed by Alexandre Galopin as managing director. FN cars were produced in Herstal from the early 1900s until 1935. Production of FN motorcycles continued until 1965, and production of trucks until 1970.[6] In 1973, FN changed its name to reflect a diversified product line far beyond just military Small Arms and Firearms manufacturing, adopting the current name of Fabrique Nationale d'Herstal.[7]
Browning began the development of the GP35 "High Power" pistol, the GP standing for Grande Puissance (French for high power), which is well-known as the Browning Hi-Power. The weapon was finalized by FN's Dieudonné Saive and did not appear until 1935, nearly a decade after Browning's death; it remained in production until 2017.
FN Five-seven: Lightweight polymer-framed pistol with a 20-round magazine capacity, and designed to use FN's 5.7×28mm cartridge. In service with military and police forces in over 40 nations throughout the world.[9]
FN HiPer: The FN HiPer is a semi automatic striker fired pistol. The weapon is chambered in 9x19mm NATO and fed from a 15 round magazine.
FN FNX: Updated and reengineered version of the FNP series pistol in 9×19mm Parabellum, .40 S&W and .45 ACP.
FN FNS: Polymer striker-fired pistols in 9×19mm Parabellum and 40 S&W.
FN 49: Pistol chambered for 9×19mm Parabellum and .40 S&W.
FN/Browning Hi-Power: Single-action pistol chambered for 9×19mm Parabellum and .40 S&W. One of the most widely used military pistols of all time, having been used by the armed forces of over 50 nations.[4][10]
FN Grand Browning: M1911 pistol intended for the European market chambered in 9.65x23mm Browning.[11]
HP-DA: 9×19mm Parabellum pistol, double-action variant of the Browning Hi-Power.
P90: Ambidextrous bullpuppersonal defense weapon with a top-mounted 50-round magazine and chambered for FN's 5.7×28mm cartridge. In service with military and police forces in over 40 countries.[9]
Patrol Bolt Rifle: 7.62×51mm NATO bolt-action rifle intended for police patrol cruisers.
Special Police Rifle: Special Police Rifle; bolt-action sniper rifle based on the Winchester Model 70, chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO and .300 Winchester Magnum, intended for FBI and SWAT teams.
M3 (FN M3M/GAU-21 and FN M3P): A belt-fed heavy machine gun which is a modernized form of the M2 Browning .50 caliber heavy machine gun. It is intended for vehicle, watercraft and aircraft mounting.[18]
FN EVOLYS: A machine gun developed in 2021, chambered for 5.56x45mm and 7.62x51mm ammunition
FN Self-loading Police: 12-gauge gas-operated semi-automatic shotgun offered in four different models with various barrel lengths, sight options, and capacities. Introduced in 2008, and named "2009 Shotgun of the Year" by American Rifleman magazine.[19]
Browning Auto-5 recoil-operated semi-automatic shotgun with 5-round capacity, designed by John Browning.
Helicopter and aircraft weapon systems
Mitrailleuse d´Avion Browning - F.N. Calibre 13,2 mm: Heavy airplane machine gun. It was an improved M2 Browning for use in aircraft during WWII. The weapon had increased firerate and fired a more powerful 13.2x99 Hotchkiss cartridge. FN also invented a high velocity high explosive variant of the cartridge just for this weapon.
FN HMP250: Heavy Machine Gun Pod. It is a system featuring a .50 cal FN M3P machine gun, a 275-round ammunition box, and a links and cases collector.[20][unreliable source?]
FN HMP400: Heavy Machine Gun Pod. It is a system featuring a .50 cal FN M3P machine gun, a 400-round ammunition box capacity, and a links or links and cases collector.[20]
FN RMP: Rocket Machine Gun Pod. It is system comprising a 12.7mm (.50 caliber) FN M3P machine gun, a NATO Standard 2.75inch/70mm 3-tube rocket launcher and a 400-round machine gun ammunition box.[21][unreliable source?]
^"Les armes belges, un business juteux" (in French). La Dernière Heure (DHnet). December 31, 2012. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
^ abcdefg"Herstal Group: About Us". FN Herstal. Retrieved 2010-06-24.
^. FN Herstal. June 6, 2014. Archived from the original on August 31, 2017. Retrieved May 15, 2017.
^ abMiller, David (2001). The Illustrated Directory of 20th Century Guns. Salamander Books Ltd. ISBN1-84065-245-4.
^. World Policy Institute. November 2000. Archived from the original on 2017-10-11. Retrieved 2010-07-15.
^Francotte, Auguste; Gaier, Claude; Karlshausen, Robert (2008). Ars Mechanica. Herstal Group. ISBN978-2-87415-877-3.
^Stevens, R. Blake The Browning High Power Automatic Pistol. Collector Grade Publications (1990). ISBN978-0-88935-089-2.
^"FN Introduces FN 503 Slim 9mm Pistol for Concealed Carry". fnamerica.com (Press release). March 16, 2020. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
^ abTirans, Ivars (2009). "Baltic Defence Research and Technology 2009 Conference Proceedings". Military Review: Scientific Journal for Security and Defence (ISSN 1407-1746), Nr. 3/4 (132/133), p 103.
^Arnold, David W. . Handguns Magazine. Archived from the original on 2010-01-07. Retrieved 2010-01-19.
^"FN Grand Browning: The European 1911 that Never Happened". 17 February 2020.
^ abHogg, Ian (2002). Jane's Guns Recognition Guide. Jane's Information Group. ISBN0-00-712760-X.
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Fabrique Nationale Herstal French for National Factory Herstal trading as FN Herstal and often referred to as Fabrique Nationale or simply FN is a leading firearms manufacturer based in Herstal Belgium It is currently the largest exporter of military small arms in Europe 1 Fabrique Nationale HerstalTrade nameFN HerstalTypeS A IndustryArms industryFounded3 July 1889 133 years ago 1889 07 03 FounderHenri PieperHeadquartersHerstal Wallonia BelgiumArea servedWorldwideKey peopleJean Sebastien Belle President John Browning Alexandre Galopin Dieudonne SaiveProductsFirearms ammunitionNumber of employees3 000 worldwideParentHerstal GroupWebsitefnherstal com Belgium fnamerica com U S fnhuk com U K FN Herstal is owned by the Herstal Group holding company which is in turn owned by the regional government of Wallonia 2 The Herstal Group also owns the Browning Arms Company and the U S Repeating Arms Company Winchester 2 FN America is the U S subsidiary of FN Herstal which was formed by the merger of FN s previous two American subsidiaries FN Manufacturing and FNH USA 3 A United Kingdom based manufacturing facility FNH UK is also in operation View of the factory site Firearms designed and or manufactured by FN include the S A W M249 Browning Hi Power and Five seven pistols the FAL FNC F2000 and SCAR rifles the P90 submachine gun the M2 Browning MAG Minimi and the FN Evolys machine guns 2 all have been commercially successful 4 FN Herstal s firearms are used by the armed forces of over 100 countries 5 Contents 1 History 2 Weapons 2 1 Handguns 2 2 Submachine guns 2 3 Rifles 2 3 1 Bolt action rifles 2 4 Machine guns 2 5 Shotguns 2 6 Helicopter and aircraft weapon systems 2 7 Miscellaneous 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksHistory Edit 1913 FN motorcycle with four cylinder in line engine and shaft drive 1931 FN cabriolet FN Browning Hi Power pistol FN Herstal originated in the small city of Herstal near Liege The Fabrique Nationale d Armes de Guerre French for National Factory of Weapons of War was established in 1889 to manufacture 150 000 Mauser Model 89 rifles ordered by the Belgian government 2 FN was co founded by the major arms makers of the Liege region with Henri Pieper of Anciens Etablissements Pieper being the driving force and the primary shareholder of the new company In 1897 the company entered into a long lasting relationship with John Browning a well known American firearms designer 2 The company was an important manufacturer of motor vehicles in Belgium a development championed by Alexandre Galopin as managing director FN cars were produced in Herstal from the early 1900s until 1935 Production of FN motorcycles continued until 1965 and production of trucks until 1970 6 In 1973 FN changed its name to reflect a diversified product line far beyond just military Small Arms and Firearms manufacturing adopting the current name of Fabrique Nationale d Herstal 7 One of Fabrique Nationale s handguns a Model 1910 semi automatic pistol in 9 17mm 380 ACP serial number 19074 was one of four weapons that were taken from the assassins of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria although it is unknown which of the four weapons fired the fatal round Browning began the development of the GP35 High Power pistol the GP standing for Grande Puissance French for high power which is well known as the Browning Hi Power The weapon was finalized by FN s Dieudonne Saive and did not appear until 1935 nearly a decade after Browning s death it remained in production until 2017 The FN Manufacturing LLC plant in Columbia South Carolina is part of the military division of FN It is primarily responsible for the production of U S military weapons such as M16 rifles M249 light machine guns M240 machine guns and M2 machine guns 2 Weapons Edit Mitrailleuse d Avion Browning F N Calibre 13 2 mm airplane machine gun FN Five seven pistol with 5 7 28mm cartridges P90 personal defense weapon FN SCAR L MK 16 assault rifle and FN SCAR H MK 17 battle rifle United States sailor fires an M240B a U S version of the FN MAG adopted for infantry use in the 1990s Early M249 manufacture of FN Minimi U S Marine aiming FN 303 fitted with holographic weapon sight FN 5 7 28mm cartridges as used in P90 personal defense weapon and Five seven pistol Handguns Edit Barracuda Double action multi caliber revolver that can be switched between three calibers 9 19mm Parabellum 38 Special and 357 Magnum by changing parts of the cylinder FN 510 10mm Auto caliber semi automatic pistol FN 509 Redesigned version of the FNS pistol chambered in 9 19mm Parabellum FN 503 Subcompact concealed carry pistol inspired by the FN 509 series 8 FN Five seven Lightweight polymer framed pistol with a 20 round magazine capacity and designed to use FN s 5 7 28mm cartridge In service with military and police forces in over 40 nations throughout the world 9 FN HiPer The FN HiPer is a semi automatic striker fired pistol The weapon is chambered in 9x19mm NATO and fed from a 15 round magazine FN FNP Series of polymer framed pistols offered in 9 19mm Parabellum 357 SIG 40 S amp W and 45 ACP FN FNX Updated and reengineered version of the FNP series pistol in 9 19mm Parabellum 40 S amp W and 45 ACP FN FNS Polymer striker fired pistols in 9 19mm Parabellum and 40 S amp W FN 49 Pistol chambered for 9 19mm Parabellum and 40 S amp W FN Browning Hi Power Single action pistol chambered for 9 19mm Parabellum and 40 S amp W One of the most widely used military pistols of all time having been used by the armed forces of over 50 nations 4 10 FN Grand Browning M1911 pistol intended for the European market chambered in 9 65x23mm Browning 11 HP DA 9 19mm Parabellum pistol double action variant of the Browning Hi Power Model 1900 32 ACP blowback semi automatic pistol Model 1903 Blowback semi automatic pistol chambered for 32 ACP and 9 20mm Long Browning Model 1905 25 ACP vest pocket blowback semi automatic pistol Model 1910 Single action pistol chambered for 32 ACP and 380 ACP Model 1922 Similar to the FN 1910 but with a longer barrel FN Baby Browning Simplified redesign of the 1905 Vest Pocket also chambered for 25 ACPSubmachine guns Edit P90 Ambidextrous bullpup personal defense weapon with a top mounted 50 round magazine and chambered for FN s 5 7 28mm cartridge In service with military and police forces in over 40 countries 9 Uzi Built under licence from Israel Military Industries M12 built under licence from Beretta Chambered in 9x19 mm with 30 round magazine capable of firing in semi auto 3 round burst and full auto Rifles Edit Trombone Browning 22 Semi Auto rifle 22 LR 22 Short Takedown rifle Production began in 1914 and continued through 1974 in Belgium CAL Carabine Automatique Legere 5 56 45mm NATO assault rifle F2000 5 56 45mm NATO bullpup assault rifle part of a system with a computerized sight and 40mm grenade launcher or 12 gauge shotgun FS2000 Semi automatic sporting version of the F2000 rifle FAL Fusil Automatique Leger 7 62 51mm NATO battle rifle One of the most widely used rifles in history having been used by over 90 nations 12 FN 15 13 FNAR Semi automatic rifle chambered in 7 62 51mm NATO FNC Fabrique Nationale Carabine 5 56 45mm NATO assault rifle IWS 6 5x43mm caliber assault rifle M16 5 56 45mm NATO rifle produced under licence by Colt Defense via a U S Government contract since 1991 by FNH USA M4A1 5 56 45mm NATO rifle produced under contract from the U S Government since 2013 by FNH USA 14 Mle 1930 Belgian variant of the Browning M1918 chambered in 7 65 53mm Belgian Mauser Model 1949 Semi automatic rifle selective fire automatic rifle chambered in 30 06 Springfield 7 92 57mm Mauser 7 62 51mm NATO and 7 57mm Mauser PS90 Semi automatic sporting carbine version of the P90 submachine gun SCAR SOF Combat Assault Rifle modular assault battle rifle system with dedicated versions in 5 56 45mm NATO and 7 62 51mm NATO Bolt action rifles Edit Mauser Model 1889 and derivatives Mauser Model 1893 15 Model 1924 Model 1930 Carbine and rifle based on the Mauser 98 carbine Karabiner 98k 7 92 57mm Mauser bolt action rifle produced post World War II Model 1950 30 06 Springfield bolt action rifle updated version of the Model 1930 Model 30 11 7 62 51mm NATO bolt action sniper rifle developed from FN built Mauser Karabiner 98k rifles FN Ballista Modular 338 Lapua Magnum long range sniper rifle that is convertible to 308 Winchester or 300 Winchester Magnum calibers Patrol Bolt Rifle 7 62 51mm NATO bolt action rifle intended for police patrol cruisers Special Police Rifle Special Police Rifle bolt action sniper rifle based on the Winchester Model 70 chambered in 7 62 51mm NATO and 300 Winchester Magnum intended for FBI and SWAT teams Tactical Sport Rifle Tactical Sports Rifle based on the SPR Machine guns Edit FN BRG 15 Experimental heavy machine gun chambered in 15 5 115mm M2 Browning 50 BMG 12 7 99mm NATO heavy machine gun produced under licence MAG Mitrailleuse d Appui General 7 62 51mm NATO general purpose machine gun Used by more than 80 nations and made under licence in countries such as Argentina Egypt India Singapore the United Kingdom and the United States as M240 machine gun 12 Minimi Mini Mitrailleuse 5 56 45mm NATO light machine gun In service in over 75 nations and used in the United States as the M249 SAW 16 Mark 48 machine gun Variant of the M249 light machine gun 17 Chambered in 7 62 51mm NATO and developed to meet a United States special forces requirement 17 FN BAR Model 1930 BAR Licence built version of the M1918 BAR rechambered for the 7 92 57mm Mauser cartridge M3 FN M3M GAU 21 and FN M3P A belt fed heavy machine gun which is a modernized form of the M2 Browning 50 caliber heavy machine gun It is intended for vehicle watercraft and aircraft mounting 18 FN EVOLYS A machine gun developed in 2021 chambered for 5 56x45mm and 7 62x51mm ammunitionShotguns Edit FN P 12 12 gauge pump action shotgun with 18 inch barrel and 5 round capacity FN Self loading Police 12 gauge gas operated semi automatic shotgun offered in four different models with various barrel lengths sight options and capacities Introduced in 2008 and named 2009 Shotgun of the Year by American Rifleman magazine 19 FN Tactical Police Shotgun 12 gauge pump action shotgun with 5 or 8 round capacity It is an upgraded version of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company Winchester 1300 Browning Auto 5 recoil operated semi automatic shotgun with 5 round capacity designed by John Browning Helicopter and aircraft weapon systems Edit Mitrailleuse d Avion Browning F N Calibre 13 2 mm Heavy airplane machine gun It was an improved M2 Browning for use in aircraft during WWII The weapon had increased firerate and fired a more powerful 13 2x99 Hotchkiss cartridge FN also invented a high velocity high explosive variant of the cartridge just for this weapon FN HMP250 Heavy Machine Gun Pod It is a system featuring a 50 cal FN M3P machine gun a 275 round ammunition box and a links and cases collector 20 unreliable source FN HMP400 Heavy Machine Gun Pod It is a system featuring a 50 cal FN M3P machine gun a 400 round ammunition box capacity and a links or links and cases collector 20 FN RMP Rocket Machine Gun Pod It is system comprising a 12 7mm 50 caliber FN M3P machine gun a NATO Standard 2 75inch 70mm 3 tube rocket launcher and a 400 round machine gun ammunition box 21 unreliable source Miscellaneous Edit 5 56 45mm SS109 NATO standard 5 56 45mm cartridge 2 5 7 28mm Small caliber high velocity cartridge designed for use with the FN P90 PDW and FN Five seven pistol 22 EGLM 40mm Ergonomic Grenade Launcher Module designed for the FN SCAR 303 Less lethal 17 mm multi shot projectile launcher 23 303 Pistol Pistol version of the less lethal FN 303 launcher 24 FN Telgren telescoping shoot through rifle grenade In 1938 the FN modified M1919 Browning aircraft guns to accept 7 5mm French rounds modification known as FN Mle 38 See also EditArms industry List of modern armament manufacturersReferences Edit Les armes belges un business juteux in French La Derniere Heure DHnet December 31 2012 Retrieved November 1 2013 a b c d e f g Herstal Group About Us FN Herstal Retrieved 2010 06 24 FN Manufacturing and FNH USA to consolidate U S Operations FN Herstal June 6 2014 Archived from the original on August 31 2017 Retrieved May 15 2017 a b Miller David 2001 The Illustrated Directory of 20th Century Guns Salamander Books Ltd ISBN 1 84065 245 4 Report Profiling the Small Arms Industry World Policy Institute Research Project World Policy Institute November 2000 Archived from the original on 2017 10 11 Retrieved 2010 07 15 Francotte Auguste Gaier Claude Karlshausen Robert 2008 Ars Mechanica Herstal Group ISBN 978 2 87415 877 3 Stevens R Blake The Browning High Power Automatic Pistol Collector Grade Publications 1990 ISBN 978 0 88935 089 2 FN Introduces FN 503 Slim 9mm Pistol for Concealed Carry fnamerica com Press release March 16 2020 Retrieved March 17 2020 a b Tirans Ivars 2009 Baltic Defence Research and Technology 2009 Conference Proceedings Military Review Scientific Journal for Security and Defence ISSN 1407 1746 Nr 3 4 132 133 p 103 Arnold David W Classic Handguns of the 20th Century The Browning HI Power Handguns Magazine Archived from the original on 2010 01 07 Retrieved 2010 01 19 FN Grand Browning The European 1911 that Never Happened 17 February 2020 a b Hogg Ian 2002 Jane s Guns Recognition Guide Jane s Information Group ISBN 0 00 712760 X FN 15 Series FN Army Awards New M4 M4A1 Contract to FN Kit Up 23 February 2013 The Spanish Mauser Family by Hector J Meruelo PDF Retrieved 6 June 2021 IDEX 2015 Archived from the original on 2015 03 16 Retrieved 2015 03 23 a b FN Manufacturing LLC Products MK48 MOD 1 FN Manufacturing LLC 2010 Archived from the original on December 4 2010 Retrieved December 5 2010 Fabrique Nationale FN M3P Belt Fed Vehicle Heavy Machine Gun HMG militaryfactory com 18 January 2014 FNH USA Shotguns SLP FNH USA 2012 Archived from the original on September 5 2012 Retrieved September 7 2012 a b FN HERSTAL Helicopter and Aircraft Weapon Systems airforce technology com FN HERSTAL Helicopter and Aircraft Weapon Systems airforce technology com Retrieved March 25 2015 FNH USA Ammunition 5 7x28mm FNH USA 2013 Archived from the original on November 4 2013 Retrieved October 25 2013 FNH USA Less Lethal Products FN 303 System FNH USA 2013 Archived from the original on October 29 2013 Retrieved October 25 2013 FNH USA Less Lethal Products FN 303 P Series FNH USA 2013 Archived from the original on October 29 2013 Retrieved October 25 2013 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fabrique Nationale de Herstal Official website Official website FN America FNH USA 2009 Product Video on YouTube Clippings about FN Herstal in the 20th Century Press Archives of the ZBW Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title FN Herstal amp oldid 1146507881, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
