FN Browning 1900 7.65

Stevie · 12-18-2003, 10:17 PM

A young friend of mine has one of these. I liked it so much I've found one for me. Definatly not a Luger, not like any pistol desighn I've seen before. Not a lot of info available, but apparently Tom Horn got recaptured on account of one. Maybe was the type used to assassinate Archduke Ferdinand to start WWI( opinions vary, might have been a 1903 or a 1910). Any history or information would be appreciated.

Thanx, Stevie.

Vlim · 12-19-2003, 10:27 AM

Stevie,

The dutch army has had a longtime relationship with FN (fabrique nationale d'armes de guerre) in Herstal, Belgium. FN brownings in many variants were used in the Dutch army, Customs departments, Police and KNIL.

FN even refurbished the UK-assembled Vickers lugers before they were sent to the Indonesian colonies (Vickers quality was not up to specs).

FN brownings with 'crown W' (for Queen Wilhelmina) and 'crown J' (for Queen Juliana) can be found quite often. Dutch customs used 'Crown J'marked 7.65 FN brownings in the 50's and 60's. We still have one of them at the shooting club.

Found a nice link for the 1900's version:

http://www.littlegun.be/arme%20belge...01900%20gb.htm

Stevie · 01-04-2004, 05:59 PM

I finally received my FN 1900 pistol yesterday, and it's in pretty good shape for it's age. Still has approx. 70-80% of it's original blue, replacement mag fits good(I bought it with no mag), it does need a new recoil/striker spring(Wolff, about $8),and the left grip has a couple of cracks and the grips while similiar don't match. Quite a bit better shape than my friends pistol(recoil spring the exception). No Belgian military markings,looks proofed for export. I got it of auction Arms as a French Officers Pistol vet bring back, the same seller had a Walther PP or PPK with a bullet hole through it that was pretty cool. I had never seen one of these till my friend brought his little gun over.

Thanx, Stevie.

Stevie · 02-01-2004, 03:58 PM

I've been shooting this little FN .32( I did install a new recoil spring), and find it to be 100% reliable(so far). Accuracy is good for the teeny tiny sights. My only complaint is that the grip screws tend to work loose after a few shots. I think I got my moneys worth!

I've also been shooting my 1892 French revolver(expensive ammo), it tends to shoot slightly high, but it is cool and fun to shoot.

Stevie.

Dwight Gruber · 02-01-2004, 05:34 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by G. van Vlimmeren:
FN even refurbished the UK-assembled Vickers lugers before they were sent to the Indonesian colonies (Vickers quality was not up to specs).
[/QB]<hr /></blockquote>Gerben,

Your comment is the first I have ever heard about an FN detour in the Vickers delivery. Can you tell us more about it?

--Dwight

Vlim · 02-02-2004, 10:00 AM

Dwight,

The first batches of Vickers lugers had quite some quality problems. A number of these guns were sent to FN to be reworked before they were shipped to the colonies. In 1921, The Dutch raised their quality standards as a result.

I'll have to look up my source, it might well have been one of the local collector/specialists.

Edward Tinker · 02-02-2004, 11:55 AM

It was quoted in Walters I believe Dwight, but maybe the Dutch Luger, but I have read this also.

Ed

Lugerdoc · 02-02-2004, 12:34 PM

Stevie, I do have some FN1900 parts available, including some exc original FN logo or Pistol logo grip sets without the metal parts @$50/set or $30 for left side only. The grip screw and metal cross piece cost $25 additional. The best way to prevent the screws from coming loose, is to apply a bit of crazy glue or low tention locktite to the threads. I also have a couple of original mags available in the $40 to $50 range. Th

Vlim · 02-03-2004, 09:23 AM

Dwight,

Found it. Ed is correct. John Walter mentioned it in 'The Luger Story'. 'The Dutch Luger' did mention the quality issues, but nothing about FN's involvement.

12-18-2003, 10:17 PM	#1
Stevie User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Ok. Posts: 212 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	FN Browning 1900 7.65 A young friend of mine has one of these. I liked it so much I've found one for me. Definatly not a Luger, not like any pistol desighn I've seen before. Not a lot of info available, but apparently Tom Horn got recaptured on account of one. Maybe was the type used to assassinate Archduke Ferdinand to start WWI( opinions vary, might have been a 1903 or a 1910). Any history or information would be appreciated. Thanx, Stevie.

02-01-2004, 05:34 PM	#5
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,902 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,317 Times in 431 Posts	</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Originally posted by G. van Vlimmeren: FN even refurbished the UK-assembled Vickers lugers before they were sent to the Indonesian colonies (Vickers quality was not up to specs). [/QB]</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Gerben, Your comment is the first I have ever heard about an FN detour in the Vickers delivery. Can you tell us more about it? --Dwight

02-02-2004, 11:55 AM	#7
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,933 Thanks: 2,032 Thanked 4,530 Times in 2,092 Posts	It was quoted in Walters I believe Dwight, but maybe the Dutch Luger, but I have read this also. Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

02-02-2004, 12:34 PM	#8
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	Stevie, I do have some FN1900 parts available, including some exc original FN logo or Pistol logo grip sets without the metal parts @$50/set or $30 for left side only. The grip screw and metal cross piece cost $25 additional. The best way to prevent the screws from coming loose, is to apply a bit of crazy glue or low tention locktite to the threads. I also have a couple of original mags available in the $40 to $50 range. Th __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

12-19-2003, 10:27 AM	#2
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,988 Times in 1,205 Posts	Stevie, The dutch army has had a longtime relationship with FN (fabrique nationale d'armes de guerre) in Herstal, Belgium. FN brownings in many variants were used in the Dutch army, Customs departments, Police and KNIL. FN even refurbished the UK-assembled Vickers lugers before they were sent to the Indonesian colonies (Vickers quality was not up to specs). FN brownings with 'crown W' (for Queen Wilhelmina) and 'crown J' (for Queen Juliana) can be found quite often. Dutch customs used 'Crown J'marked 7.65 FN brownings in the 50's and 60's. We still have one of them at the shooting club. Found a nice link for the 1900's version: http://www.littlegun.be/arme%20belge...01900%20gb.htm

01-04-2004, 05:59 PM	#3
Stevie User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Ok. Posts: 212 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I finally received my FN 1900 pistol yesterday, and it's in pretty good shape for it's age. Still has approx. 70-80% of it's original blue, replacement mag fits good(I bought it with no mag), it does need a new recoil/striker spring(Wolff, about $8),and the left grip has a couple of cracks and the grips while similiar don't match. Quite a bit better shape than my friends pistol(recoil spring the exception). No Belgian military markings,looks proofed for export. I got it of auction Arms as a French Officers Pistol vet bring back, the same seller had a Walther PP or PPK with a bullet hole through it that was pretty cool. I had never seen one of these till my friend brought his little gun over. Thanx, Stevie.

02-01-2004, 03:58 PM	#4
Stevie User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Ok. Posts: 212 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I've been shooting this little FN .32( I did install a new recoil spring), and find it to be 100% reliable(so far). Accuracy is good for the teeny tiny sights. My only complaint is that the grip screws tend to work loose after a few shots. I think I got my moneys worth! I've also been shooting my 1892 French revolver(expensive ammo), it tends to shoot slightly high, but it is cool and fun to shoot. Stevie.

02-02-2004, 10:00 AM	#6
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,988 Times in 1,205 Posts	Dwight, The first batches of Vickers lugers had quite some quality problems. A number of these guns were sent to FN to be reworked before they were shipped to the colonies. In 1921, The Dutch raised their quality standards as a result. I'll have to look up my source, it might well have been one of the local collector/specialists.

02-03-2004, 09:23 AM	#9
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,988 Times in 1,205 Posts	Dwight, Found it. Ed is correct. John Walter mentioned it in 'The Luger Story'. 'The Dutch Luger' did mention the quality issues, but nothing about FN's involvement.