Attic found II - FN Browning 1900

Douglas Jr. · 10-11-2016, 05:12 PM

Hello,

As I had said en passant in my topic about a Walther PPK, I recently manage to get a batch of guns with a peculiar story. These guns were found in an attic of a former WWII Brazilian Army officer that lived in Rio de Janeiro. He passed away about 15 years ago and the guns laid forgotten until a couple of months ago. Although all of them were involved by an old thick and dried grease, the mechanisms were stuck and nothing moved. All the guns stay 10 days in kerosene, just to remove all the grease and freed the mechanism.

Here is another piece of this batch: a FN Browning model 1900 (made around 1906 I guess).
To my surprise, the finish is original as well as both grips panels, everything matches. The magazine and safety lever were also jammed but I fixed that. Overal this gun is in good condition, and it was a fair deal for around USD 300.00. It makes a nice pair with my other FN 1900, made in 1904. Interesting to note that this particular model was issued to the Federal Police during the first decade of the last last century, when Rio was still Brazil's national capital.
I'm posting some picture of before and after cleaning for your view.

Hope you enjoy it.
Douglas

Douglas Jr. · 10-11-2016, 05:15 PM

Final set of pics.

hayhugh · 10-11-2016, 05:20 PM

Always nice to hear of someone's good fortune - keep the guns and photos coming...

sheepherder · 10-12-2016, 08:48 AM

It seems that many of the Model 1900's were adopted by police agencies. I also have one, and have disassembled it several times to inspect and marvel at the machining. Very close tolerances, and exceptional surface finish.

I bought mine through GB, IIRC for about $325...I was somewhat dismayed when it arrived and I saw how small it really is...The proportions are so balanced that photos don't show that it is about 3/4 the size of a M1911...

I would have been happier if it was bulkier, but it is what it is...

Edward Tinker · 10-12-2016, 09:05 AM

Nice find Douglas!

Very 'interesting' design. I do think its 'prettier' than the Dreyse

George Anderson · 10-12-2016, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edward Tinker

Nice find Douglas!

Very 'interesting' design. I do think its 'prettier' than the Dreyse

Ed, even a Nash-Rambler is prettier than a Dreyse.

kurusu · 10-12-2016, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepherder

It seems that many of the Model 1900's were adopted by police agencies. I also have one, and have disassembled it several times to inspect and marvel at the machining. Very close tolerances, and exceptional surface finish.

I bought mine through GB, IIRC for about $325...I was somewhat dismayed when it arrived and I saw how small it really is...The proportions are so balanced that photos don't show that it is about 3/4 the size of a M1911...

I would have been happier if it was bulkier, but it is what it is...

they're pocket pistols. Thy're supposed to be small.

rhuff · 10-12-2016, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edward Tinker

. I do think its 'prettier' than the Dreyse

I can't think of any/many guns that aren't prettier than a Dreyse......and I own a 1907 Dreyse!!!

kurusu · 10-12-2016, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhuff

I can't think of any/many guns that aren't prettier than a Dreyse......and I own a 1907 Dreyse!!!

Wanna bet?

Le matt cartridge revolver

10-11-2016, 05:12 PM	#1
Douglas Jr. User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: South America Posts: 948 Thanks: 598 Thanked 584 Times in 254 Posts	Attic found II - FN Browning 1900 Hello, As I had said en passant in my topic about a Walther PPK, I recently manage to get a batch of guns with a peculiar story. These guns were found in an attic of a former WWII Brazilian Army officer that lived in Rio de Janeiro. He passed away about 15 years ago and the guns laid forgotten until a couple of months ago. Although all of them were involved by an old thick and dried grease, the mechanisms were stuck and nothing moved. All the guns stay 10 days in kerosene, just to remove all the grease and freed the mechanism. Here is another piece of this batch: a FN Browning model 1900 (made around 1906 I guess). To my surprise, the finish is original as well as both grips panels, everything matches. The magazine and safety lever were also jammed but I fixed that. Overal this gun is in good condition, and it was a fair deal for around USD 300.00. It makes a nice pair with my other FN 1900, made in 1904. Interesting to note that this particular model was issued to the Federal Police during the first decade of the last last century, when Rio was still Brazil's national capital. I'm posting some picture of before and after cleaning for your view. Hope you enjoy it. Douglas Attached Thumbnails

10-11-2016, 05:15 PM	#2
Douglas Jr. User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: South America Posts: 948 Thanks: 598 Thanked 584 Times in 254 Posts	Final set of pics. Attached Thumbnails

10-12-2016, 08:48 AM	#4
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,195 Thanks: 1,413 Thanked 4,462 Times in 2,336 Posts	It seems that many of the Model 1900's were adopted by police agencies. I also have one, and have disassembled it several times to inspect and marvel at the machining. Very close tolerances, and exceptional surface finish. I bought mine through GB, IIRC for about $325...I was somewhat dismayed when it arrived and I saw how small it really is...The proportions are so balanced that photos don't show that it is about 3/4 the size of a M1911... I would have been happier if it was bulkier, but it is what it is... __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

10-11-2016, 05:20 PM	#3
hayhugh User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Florida/Penna Posts: 898 Thanks: 877 Thanked 514 Times in 276 Posts	Always nice to hear of someone's good fortune - keep the guns and photos coming...

10-12-2016, 09:05 AM	#5
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,960 Thanks: 2,062 Thanked 4,592 Times in 2,114 Posts	Nice find Douglas! Very 'interesting' design. I do think its 'prettier' than the Dreyse