OT: FN Model 1922, commercial or military?

[Aaron]

Here is what appears to be a commercial FN Model 1922 in 7.65 caliber, serial number 30705 marked on frame, slide, and barrel extension. All markings and proofs are standard prewar and there are no military markings present. It has what appears to be a late war pair of military wooden grips which are in the same excellent 95% condition as the rest of the pistol. The magazine has a phosphated military finish with the FN logo and a very faint waffenampt. I can't figure out if this is just a grip and magazine mismatch, or was it appropriated for military use. Any opinions?

[trigger643]

Nazi Occupation Pistols: The M1922 has the dubious distinction of being produced in larger numbers than any other firearm at the FN plant during the Nazi occupation. The German designations for the M1922 were Pistole 626(b) for the 7.65mm version and Pistole 641(b) for the 9mm Short version. M1922's found their way to all corners of the German government and military as officer's and official's sidearms. The primary user of the M1922, however was the Luftwaffe. Interestingly, the M1922 was also offered as a commercial pistol up to 1942, being sold mostly as sidearms for war factory security personnel and police. M1922's accepted by the German military show one of three Army Weapons Office inspectors markings (Waffenamt stampings).
�· WaA613: This stamping was used from May 1940 until early 1941, and is found on some 6,300 M1922's made prior to the invasion or assembled from parts made prior to the invasion. They may or may not contain parts made during the occupation.
o 9mm Short, part of 1940 Dutch Order - Serial Range 63,000 - 77,000
o 9mm Short or 7.65mm, FN Commercial Production - Serial Range 288,000 - 289,000
o 7.65mm, prewar parts - Serial Range 20,000 - 23,000
�· WaA103: This stamping was used from early to later 1941, and is found only on the 36,000 7.65mm pistols within the 24,000 to 60,000 serial number range. They are usually found with some pre-invasion parts and retain prewar commercial quality standards.
�· WaA140: This stamping was used from late 1941 to the liberation in 1944 on approximately 325,000 7.65mm pistols. Serialization began in the 67,000 - 68,000 range and proceeded to approximately serial number 155,000. In late 1943 serialization was restarted using the German military system. In this system serial numbers were limited to five digits with a one letter suffix. The letter indicated a block of 100,000 pistols. (Example: A pistol with the serial number 34554b is actually the 234,554th pistol produced - the first block of 100,000 had no suffix, pistols 100,000 - 199,999 were suffixed with an a, and pistols 200,000 through 299,999 were suffixed with a b.) In 1944, serial number markings were simplified with the full serial number appearing only on the slide, with the last four digits appearing on the frame.
Vanderlinden, Anthony, The Belgian Browning Pistols: 1889 - 1949, (Wet Dog Publications, Greensboro, North Carolina: 2001)

[Lugerdoc]

Aaron, judging by the serial number and the Nazi wood grips, your FN22 is probably one that was made for the police. If so, it should have an acceptance on the back of the frame, just below the slide, that looks like a "V" with a dot above. Tom H.

[Aaron]

Nope Tom, no mark in the area you describe, so it's still a mystery to me.

[Aaron]

Mystery solved! The origin of this pistol has now been determined. In the Belgian Browning Pistol book by Anthony Vanderlinden on page 158, this pistol is described as being a post WWII French contract, having the following characteristics:

Serial range between 1-30,000.
No bevel on slide extension Wooden grips without lanyard.
Same Triggerguard marking as the one illustrated.
16 serration slide.
Long slide grooves.
Barrel and slide numbered internally.

Amazing what a little research will do!

[Edward Tinker]

Great Aaron! Sweet looking gun BTW