User:Thornfield Hall/sandbox

The FR 7 and FR 8 are bolt-action rifles adopted by Spain in the 1950s. The "FR" stands for Fusil Reformado in Spanish ("Converted Rifle" in English). The FR 7 is a variant of the "Spanish M93 Mauser" bolt action while the FR 8 is based on the Gewehr 98 bolt action. Due to their light weight, short barrel and the calibre used, their recoil and muzzle blast are relatively heavy.

History
The FR7 and FR8 were introduced in the 1950s as a stopgap measure while Spain was undergoing the daunting logistical challenge of adopting their first automatic rifle as well as the entirely new 7.62 NATO cartridge, replacing the aging 8mm Mauser. The rifles would offer an immediate solution to help train and equip new soldiers until CETME rifle procurement was complete, and also was used to equip second-line users such as the Guardia Civil.

The rifles were made from existing stockpiles of Mauser bolt-action rifles. The FR-7 was a modification of the Model 1916 short rifle, which in turn was based on the Mauser Model 1893. These three rifles are often referred to as being "small ring" Mausers, as the receiver ring is smaller in diameter than the latter Model 1898 by .110-inch (1.410 inches vs. 1.300 inches). The FR-8 was developed from the Model 1943 short rifle, which was based on "large ring" Gewehr 98 action. Both rifles were modified to fire 7.62×51mm NATO. The FR 8 was used well into the 1970s by mounted Guardia Civil units in the Sierra Nevada.

Features
The flash hider was designed to also function as a rifle grenade launcher, compatible with NATO-standard 22 mm rifle grenades, although Spain would not go on to join NATO until 1982. It also has notches in it so that wire could be cut with it by firing a round. The under-barrel tube, which resembles the gas cylinder found on automatic weapons, actually serves as the bayonet mount and as storage for cleaning gear.

The rear sight is an elevation-adjustable rotary type with apertures for 200 m, 300 m and 400 m, as well as an open "V" notch for 100 m. The front sight is elevation-adjustable via a special tool. Operation is identical to the standard Mauser design.