Both rifle and carbine also have a distinctive Ethiopian crest on the receivers. In order that the numbers could be read while the guns were in racks, the serial numbers are in very large numerals on the receiver bridge, not alongside the chamber as typical. The Ethiopian carbines are unusual in not having side mounted sling attachments, and they have a unique serial number placement. The Ethiopian guns are basically identical mechanically to standard 1898 Mausers.
In particular, Ethiopia purchased 17,500 FN Model 1930 rifles and 7,500 Model 1930 carbines, which we are looking at here.
Selassie developed a good relationship with the Belgians, and in the mid 1930s he would place several orders for arms and equipment from FN (and also hired Belgian military advisors to help train his army). As part of his coronation celebration he toured Europe, including the factory works at FN in Belgium. During that time, he paid particular attention to Ethiopia’s military strength. In 1930, Haile Selassie I became Emperor of Ethiopia (aka Abysinia), and would rule for almost 45 years, with a brief exception when the country was occupied by fascist Italy.
