La Coruna FR 8

The FR 8 was bolt action rifle adopted in Spain and made from existing stockpiles of Mauser bolt-action rifles. The "FR" stands for Fusil Reformado in Spanish ("Converted Rifle" in English). The FR-8 was developed from the Model 1943 short rifle, which was based on "large ring" Model 1898 Mauser action. It was modified to fire the 7.62×51mm CETME and 7.62×51mm NATO rounds. Modification was done in Fabrica De Armas La Coruna. The old 8mm Mauser barrels were removed, and new 18.5" CETME barrels chambered in 7.62mm NATO were installed. These were actual CETME barrels, complete with flash hider and front sight post. The magazine follower was modified to facilitate chambering the shorter7.62mm NATO cartridge, stocks were cut down and modified, and a new aperture style rear sight was welded to the old M43 receiver. The FR 8 was used well into the 1970s by mounted Guardia Civil units in the Sierra Nevada. The flash hider was designed to also function as a rifle grenade launcher, compatible with NATO-standard 22 mm rifle grenades. The under-barrel tube, which resembles the gas cylinder found on automatic weapons, actually serves as the bayonet mount and as storage for cleaning gear. The rear sight is an elevation-adjustable rotary type with aperatures for 200 m (220 yd), 300 m (330 yd) and 400 m (440 yd), as well as an open "V" notch for 100 metres (110 yd). The front sight is elevation-adjustable via a special tool. Operation is identical to the standard Mauser design.