Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! Here’s an FN Trombone showing what happened when one of Europe’s premier firearms manufacturers decided to build their version of the classic American .22 rifle. Made between 1960-1970, this slide-action rimfire represents FN’s attempt to capture some of the massive American sporting rifle market. The “Trombone” name comes from the sliding fore-end action – pull back, push forward, ready for the next shot. While pump-action .22s were common in America, FN brought their own European sensibilities to the design. The fit and finish was typically Belgian, meaning probably overbuilt compared to what most American manufacturers were doing with .22s at the time.
The timing makes this interesting. The 1960s were when European manufacturers really started eyeing the American sporting market. Companies like FN had built their reputations on military contracts, but the postwar boom in recreational shooting was too big to ignore. The Trombone was their answer to rifles like the Remington 572 and Winchester 61. That 22-inch barrel was longer than many American .22s of the period, reflecting European preferences for accuracy over handiness. The extra barrel length squeezed every bit of velocity from standard .22 Long cartridge, making this a serious small game rifle rather than just a plinker. FN didn’t stay in the American sporting rifle market long. By the 1970s, they were back to focusing on military contracts and high-end sporting arms. The Trombone represents a brief moment when Belgian craftsmanship met American shooting traditions, creating something that was probably too good for its own commercial success.
Most of our POTDs utilize images from our friends at Rock Island Auction Company, the premier firearms auction in the United States. Take some time to browse their current auctions – who knows, maybe you’ll find a piece of history to take home!
“Fabrique Nationale Trombone Slide Action Rifle.” Rock Island Auction, www.rockislandauction.com/detail/5012/1163/fabrique-nationale-trombone-slide-action-rifle. Accessed 12 Aug. 2025.
Writer | TheFirearmBlog
Writer | AllOutdoor.com Instagram | sfsgunsmith Old soul, certified gunsmith, published author, avid firearm history learner, and appreciator of old and unique guns.
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