Falklands War 1982 ‘Bring Back’ — Argentine FN FAL, FMAP-DM Rosario FN FAL Semi-Auto 7.62x51mm NATO Rifle

Falklands War 1982 ‘Bring Back’ — Argentine FN FAL, FMAP-DM Rosario — Serial No. 101559

Description

An Argentine-manufactured FN FAL battle rifle, produced by Fábrica Militar de Armas Portátiles “Domingo Matheu” (FMAP-DM), Rosario, Argentina. The rifle is chambered in 7.62 × 51 mm and is serial numbered 101559.

The rifle is accompanied by an original presentation plaque stating: “Taken from an Argentinian soldier shortly after the battle of goose green May 1982”. The plaque specifically records the rifle as having been taken from an Argentine soldier shortly after the Battle of Goose Green, 28–29 May 1982. This represents weapon-specific provenance evidence rather than an attribution based solely upon the rifle's Argentine manufacture and FN FAL configuration. The wording of the plaque is presented as recorded provenance evidence and has not been independently verified by a contemporary battlefield recovery document.

A second original presentation plaque records: “Presented to the Warrant Officers and Sgts Mess 1st Regiment RHA By WO1 (RSM) TF Irvine May 1989”. This establishes the rifle's subsequent presentation to the Warrant Officers' and Sergeants' Mess of 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery in May 1989.

The identity and appointment of WO1 (RSM) T. F. Irvine are independently corroborated by a 1 RHA Regimental Sergeant Majors board, which records T F IRVINE as Regimental Sergeant Major during 1988–1989. The surviving documentation therefore provides a continuous and particularly significant regimental provenance chain from the recorded Goose Green attribution through its presentation to 1 RHA. Following its presentation to the Regiment, the rifle subsequently formed part of the collection retained within the 1 RHA armoury at Tidworth, Wiltshire. The surviving 1 RHA armoury inventory should be cross-referenced against serial number 101559 to provide documentary confirmation of its individual entry.

During the reorganisation of the Regiment's briefing/history room in 2014–15, approximately 20 weapons were selected for deactivation and permanent display, with approximately 20 further weapons subsequently authorised for removal and destruction.

The rifle was deactivated in 2015 and received deactivation certificate DA 54677. Following subsequent changes to the applicable deactivation requirements, the rifle was submitted for further examination in 2026 and issued certificate no. 13614 by the London Proof House.

Provenance documentation includes:

• Copy of British Army letter confirming transfer of ownership to the private collection.

• Copy of MOD 7677 Issue and Receipt Voucher document recording transfer to a serving officer.

• Copy of British military armoury ledger printout recording serial number 101559.

• Copy of 2015 deactivation certificate DA 54677.

• Original 2026 deactivation certificate no. 13614.

• Original plaque recording the rifle as taken from an Argentine soldier shortly after the Battle of Goose Green in May 1982.

• Original plaque recording presentation to the 1 RHA Warrant Officers' and Sergeants' Mess by WO1 (RSM) T. F. Irvine in May 1989.

• Photograph of the 1 RHA Regimental Sergeant Majors board recording T F Irvine, 1988–1989.

Provenance: Argentine military custody → recorded as taken from an Argentine soldier shortly after the Battle of Goose Green, May 1982 → retained by WO1 (RSM) T. F. Irvine → presented to 1 RHA Warrant Officers' & Sergeants' Mess, May 1989 → 1 RHA collection / armoury → transfer to serving officer, 2015 → continuously retained in the same private collection.

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