FNH 1935 Peruvian Mauser Short Rifle

The FN 1935 Peruvian Mauser was made in Herstal, Belgium by FN for a contract for the Peruvian Army. It is basically a standard Model 98 Mauser but with the reversed wing safety. Due to the influence of the Peruvian national marksmanship team, the flip wing safety was reversed. To place on the safety you must rotate it to your left, the exact opposite of all other Mauser military rifles and carbines. This was done to facilitate a style of marksmanship popular in the 1930's international and Pan-American military rifle matches in which the shooter moves his face far forward on the rifle stock to take his sight picture. These were the last bolt action rifles purchased by the Peruvians. They stayed in service until the 1950's when the Government of Peru purchases 30-06 surplus rifles from the US. Some of the model 1935 Mausers were converted to 30-06 either the factory in Belgium or by Peruvian technicians. They got new barrels and were rebuilt. The rifle is marked "Modelo 1935 on the right front of the receiver. The top front of the receiver has the Peruvian crest and "Republica Peruana" on the receiver. The left side of the receiver is marked "FAB NAT. D'ARMES DE GUERRE", "HERSTAL BELGINUE".