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- Fn Browning 1922 Serial Number. Browning M1922 32 Serial Number. By the eve of the Balkan Wars (1912-1913) and WWI, the most common officer-issued sidearm for the Serbian Army was the Browning FN Model 1910 in 9m/m kurz in (.380 acp). One pistol in particular - it was the infamous FN M1910 with serial number 19074 which was allegedly used by the Young Bosnian member, Gavrilo Princip, to assassinate Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria in Sarajevo in June 1914.
- Matching serial numbers. Slide is marked: FABRIQUE NATIONALE D'ARMES DE GUERRE HERSTAL BELIQUE and BOWNINGS PATENT DEPOSE. The bluing is thinning but good, showing holster wear. Has it's original factory phosphate finish FN Browning marked magazine (holds 8 + 1 in the chamber).
- Manufacturer: FN Herstal Model: 1922 Serial Number: 64980 Caliber Info: 9mm Kurz Condition: 95-97% Bore Condition: 9.5/10 Manufacture Date: 1940. Rare FN Browning M1922 - First Variation Nazi Contract 9mm Kurz 1940 WW2 / WWII Guns International #: 101455482 Seller's Inventory #: 11220.
- FN Browning 1899, 1900, 1903, 1905 - 1906 and Baby pistols: Guide to identification: See below
- Beware of FN marked, Walther style, PP Pistols: See below
- Popular misconceptions on FN and FN Browning Firearms: See below
- Trench Sweepers; Browning & Ruby Pistols in the Great War
Originally published in American Rifleman Magazine -- Click here for NRA article - The FN Browning 1903
Originally published in American Rifleman Magazine --Click here for NRA article - Inside the Pistols of FNH USA
Originally published in American Rifleman Magazine --Click here for NRA article
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Identifying and differentiation the FN Browning Pistols:
FN Browning Model 1899 and 1900,
FN Browning 1903,
FN Browning 1905 (1906) Vest Pocket and Baby Browning pistols
FN Browning Model 1910 and Model 1922
Following is a guide for identifying FN Browning pistol models:
FN Browning Model 1899 vs. FN Browning Model 1900: The Model 1899 was first produced in January 1899 and closely resembles John Browning's prototype. It can be differentiated from the FN Model 1900 by the following features: There are no safety markings and no lanyard ring, the frame has small side-plates. The grips are secured with studs and nuts. The FN Browning 1900 was introduced in 1900 after Belgian military trials requested changes to the Model 1899. The Model 1900 has larger grips which are secured with screws, has French language safety markings (Feu & Sur), a lanyard ring and larger frame side-plates.
FN Browning Model 1903: The Model 1903 in 9mm Browning Long was manufactured for the military market. It was not a copy of the Colt 1903 as is often reported. FN requested a (military) handgun design from John Browning in 1901. The same prototypes were presented to Colt and FN, Colt opted to manufacture a pocket pistol while FN tried to fill a void in their line by offering the design as a military pistol.
FN Browning Model 1905 / 1906 vs. FN Baby Browning: The Model 1905 is often referred to as the Model 1906, generally in the U.S. it is known for its first patent year '1905' while in Europe, 1906 refers to FN's first manufacturing year. This model is also commonly known as the Vest Pocket model. The Baby Browning was introduced by FN in 1931, the pistol is smaller than the Vest Pocket model. The Baby Browning is a total different design from the earlier Vest Pocket pistol, parts are not interchangeable.
Beware of Walther style PP pistols that are on the U.S. market with FN - Fabrique Nationale - slide legends…