FN MAGs of Havanna?
While the American M1919 and Soviet/Chinese SG-43/Type 53 were probably the most commonly encountered .30 caliber MMG/GPMGs around the globe during the Cold War, largely due to their huge WWII production numbers and subsequent second and third-hand distribution channels, the venerable FN MAG 58 has seen service in just about every East/West side-conflict of the past 60 years including the myriad of African Bush Wars, Central American dirty wars, Vietnam (with the Australians), with the Israelis, in the Falklands (on both sides), et. al.
Swedish UN soldier during the Congo Crisis, circa 1961. Photo by Åke Sandberg, note the K gun (M/P45) and FN MAG.
SADF FN MAG
British soldier aboard the HMS Canberra waiting for an Argentine air attack with his FN MAG. Falklands War, 1982 IWM
I mean it is used by something like 90 countries and is in licensed production in like a dozen.
One of the more little-known users was Cuba. Ordered back in the Batista era and with some delivered before Castro went full-on officially Red, with the MINFAR obtaining both some early FALs and FN MAGs along with ammo and a batch of GP35 Hi-Powers. They were delivered in four shipments between Jully 1959 and March 1960, totaling some 6.8 million 7.62mm NATO cartridges, 3 million 9x19mm cartridges, 12,500 FALs, 510 FN MAGs, and 1,100 FN GP 9mm pistols.
Thus:
Well, it turns out that Bowman Armament has managed to wrangle some of those former MINFAR Cuban-crested FN MAGs and will be selling them as kits.
From Bowman:
The Cuban Contract MAG58 stands as a testament to a bygone era, offering a glimpse into the tumultuous history of Cuba. These elusive firearms, sourced from the regime of Fulgencio Batista to crush the uprising have witnessed the turbulent events of the Cuban revolution in 1959, the Bay of Pigs invasion, and subsequent conflicts, including deployments with Cuban forces in Angola (1978).
What sets these MAG58s apart is not just their historical significance but their extreme rarity. Despite exhaustive searches, no verified examples of the Cuban Contract MAG58 have been found or pictured online, making them a truly unique find for collectors and enthusiasts.
Emblazoned with the crest of the Ejército de Cuba, these machine guns have traversed continents, serving in conflicts and witnessing history unfold.
Soon available for acquisition, these MAG58s represent a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a tangible piece of world history. They are being demilled this week and will be loaded into outgoing cargo. These MAG58 highlight the history we hunt for every day to bring to our valued customers.