FN Herstal

See also: FN, Herstal (homonymy)

The National Factory of Herstal , more generally known under the name National Factory or under its abbreviation FN , is a factory of armament established with Herstal, close to Liege in Belgium.

History

Since the 19th century, the area inhabitant of Li2ege was famous for her mechanical manufacture and particularly its firearms.

The craftsmen arms manufacturers inhabitant of Li2ege worked independently often in residence and were specialized in certain operations. The result was that a gun of rifle traversed, with the courses of its manufacture, of tens of kilometers in all the agglomeration inhabitant of Li2ege before being finished.

At the beginning of the 19th century, some craftsmen decided to create a place to gather, it nommère the trade union. This building always exists and is located close to the Coronmeuse place at Herstal.

In 1889, was built with the other end of Herstal the new factory to answer a ordering of the Belgian government of 150.000 Mauser S. On this occasion, the company became the national Fabrique of weapons of war .

Collaboration with John Moses Browning begins in 1898. In 1989, the National Factory takes the control of USRAC - US Repeating Arms company, holder of the famous mark Winchester.

Cars and Motocyclette S were also built by the company at the beginning of the 20th century.

During the 2nd war, the FN was used like arms factory under the name of DWM (Deutsche Waffen Muenitionne).

After this war was undertaken the manufacture of milking machines (Declaye Design) partly copied from the American machine Surge. And, later, of the domestic freezers.

Joined the group Snecma in 1989, after being associated between 1972 and 1987 (cross participation) with Beretta.

In 1975, FN Herstal employed 10.286 persons in Liege. In 1990, employment was tiny room to 1.516 units (it is necessary however to take account of the 1.710 employment included in FN Moteurs, which will become Techspace Aero in 1992). In 2001, FN Herstal offers nothing any more but 914 employment and Techspace Aero 1.291.

Catalog of weapons

The weapons manufactured with by the FN include in particular:
  • Browning M1900
  • Browning GP 35, first semi-automatic gun with charger of great capacity (adopted in Belgium under the name of P-35 )
  • Browning HP-DA, semi-automatic gun with simple platinum and double action,
  • FN Uzi manufacture (1958-1971) under license of the famous Israeli machine pistol. Arms used by the judicial police Belgian and French. Lawful model in the army Dutchwoman ( FN model 1961 ),
  • Beretta M12: manufacture of the version S of the Italian PM between 1979 and the beginning of the year 1990,
  • FN P90, a compact machine pistol in 5,7x28 mm,
  • FN Five-seveN, a Gun light modern in 5,7x28 mm,
  • FN Minimi, a Machine-gun 5,56 mm NATO, also known under the name of M249 SAW
  • FN MAG, a Machine-gun 7.62 mm, also known under the name of LMG M240
  • FN F2000, a Bullpup 5,56 mm NATO
  • FN Forty-Nine, a Gun semi-automatic available in 9 mm Parabellum and .40 S&W.
  • FNP-9, known also under the name of Browning Pro-9 in North America, a semi-automatic gun in 9 mm Parabellum, launched after the failure of FN Forty-Nine
  • FN 303, a launcher of projectiles not mortals (Less-lethal)
  • FAL, a Rifle of attack 7.62 mm
  • FN CAL, a version 5,56 mm NATO of the FAL
  • FN FNC, a Fusil of attack gauges 5,56 mm NATO
  • FN SCAR, a Fusil of attack intended for the American special forces
  • FN SPR, a family of rifles of precision intended for the police forces étasunienne

The FN in addition holds also the Browning Arms Company, a known American manufacturer for his Browning m2.

Mechanics

  • Manufacturer of the Bicycle S of 1895 to 1927
  • Manufacturer of motor vehicles between 1900 and 1935
  • Manufacturer of motor bikes of 1901 to 1965.
    • 1901: first model: motor cycle with transmission by belt punt and engine of 133  cm ³.
    • 1905: first motor bike 4 cylinders of the world. Model with tree without Cardan joint and Lighting by Magneto, back Brake drum.
    • 1923: machine of sport to driving block of 350  cm ³ with Valve S at the head, greasing with dry Casing, 3 speeds
    • 1926: 500  cm ³ sporting
    • First crossing of the the Sahara in the motor bike
    • 81 world records in solo 350,500,750 and 1  000  cm ³ and in Motorcycle combination in 350 and 600  cm ³.
    • military Motor bikes: M 12 SM been driven by an engine of 1  000  cm ³ twin-cylinder flat, box at 4 speeds with step back, transmission by Cardan joint. The motorcycle combination, armoured tank, were provided with a wheel made driving at will.
    • After the Second world war: series FN XIII, one-cylinder of 250,350 and 450  cm ³.
    • End of the year 50 to 1965: return to the Auto-cycle

The FN also manufactured an hybrid vehicle, with three wheels, named " Tri-car" (Circa 1935-40), composed of a large motor bike and a box of transport, forming just like a van.

See too

Related articles

External bond

  • Official site of the company

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