Dieudonne Saive at Fabrique Nationale began developing the FAL to submit for the British post-war program to adopt new small arms. He built the first example in the German 8x33mm Kurz cartridge, as this was of a lot of interest at the time, and offered the possibility of controllable automatic fire from the shoulder. The rifle was tested successfully, and led to a British request for two more guns for more substantial testing – but those next two were to use the .280 (7x49mm) cartridge. This example, serial number 1, is really the only intermediate-caliber FAL ever made.
Many thanks to the Ars Mechanica Foundation for giving me access to this unique rifle to film for you!
So many dead end features, but some that carried through unchanged. Thanks to all who respected the history of the piece.