FN/Browning Model 1900 - any experiences?

[sheepherder]

I've owned two Browning model 1910's, one dating back to the 40's (IIRC), and the other a 1970 import...I liked them...They were "improved" versions of the 1900...

Recent references to the 1900 has piqued my interest...

Has anyone owned one??? What were your experiences with it???

I bid on a rather worn example on GB but the Reserve is too high, IMO...(no, not the one below!)...

[Patronen]

I have never owned one but have always found them interesting from a design perspective. It has always fascinated me that some of the Smith and wesson .22 autoloaders look to be direct decendents in appearance.

[Don M]

Obviously, I am interested in them - http://luger.gunboards.com/showthread.php?t=24141 - and own a couple.

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by Don M

Obviously, I am interested in them - and own a couple.

Thanks for the link! (I didn't think to check Gunboards...)

Can you share any of your impressions of them???

[sheepherder]

Found this interesting tidbit at -

http://www.fn-browning.com/fn.htm

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.

[sheepherder]

Another 1899 better showing the "small grips"...

Also seems to have a more rounded frame at the rear...I think this may be an early model 1899 (or even one of the prototypes), but the page is in Russian and I can't read it...maybe one of the pages from an FN book???

[sheepherder]

Hmmmm...I see my old friend katyusha has one of these for sale on GunsAmerica...Too nice for me; a collector grade pistol + holster...

[Ron Wood]

I have owned this example for a number of years. Some time ago I posted photos on one of the forums seeking to identify the right side inscription, but without success. Anyone care to give it a go here?

[John Sabato]

Can't help with the inscription Ron, but the Crown looks very much like the crown on the Erfurt Toggle marking of Lugers. Perhaps it is some kind of acceptance by the Erfurt State Armory of this pistol into official service? (just a theory!)

Regarding experiences with this type of pistol, a very close friend of mine bought one in a private sale in 1966 (OH MY GOSH that was FOURTY FOUR years ago!) for $20 from one of his neighbors and I believe that it had been brought back from WW1 by a grandfather in the sellers family.

It had not been fired since the end of WW1, and was wrapped in a rag and covered in congealed grease. My friend enlisted my assistance in determining how to disassemble it for cleaning. This is way before the internet, and the only exploded diagrams available at the time were in the NRA books, Shooters Bible, and the Numerich Gun Parts catalog. Luckily, my young gun library had one or more of those.

I was able to decipher the disassembly procedure and we got it apart and cleaned well and back together... then took it to the range. It was LOUD, and had about a 25 pound trigger pull as I recall. After working with it for a while with some good arkansas stones, we got the trigger down to about 7 pounds and we figured that this was good enough.

I never like the gun but appreciated the experience... it was one of my first gunsmithing "adventures"

[Don M]

For those interested in these pistols, Anthony Vanderlinden's book FN Browning Pistols is a "must have."

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by John Sabato

Can't help with the inscription Ron, but the Crown looks very much like the crown on the Erfurt Toggle marking of Lugers.

My first impression of the crown was of some British/English regimental marking...Especially the "4" underneath...The stylized "S" (if that is what it is) doesn't ring a bell, but I am not familiar with Royal regimental markings, whether English or European...

Maybe something like "Queen's Own Fusiliers, 4th Regiment"...

BTW: I think I read on one of the FN sites that the "w" (or maybe "m") on the trigger guard indicates something relevant also...(But you must already know that!)...

But the engraving is exceptionally well executed and detailed...

[alvin]

Originally Posted by postino

Hmmmm...I see my old friend katyusha has one of these for sale on GunsAmerica...Too nice for me; a collector grade pistol + holster...

I asked her this question: by selling this one, then, where would you put those money? will you buy another gun? if that's the case, then, "why didn't you simply keep this one?"..... she never listens to me.

Probably cycling brings in some fun. I don't know.

[Curly1]

Originally Posted by Don M

For those interested in these pistols, Anthony Vanderlinden's book FN Browning Pistols is a "must have."

+1 I just got done reading it cover to cover some very interesting history there.

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by alvin

I asked her this question: by selling this one, then, where would you put those money?

She will likely buy you a nickel plated pre-war Bolo with ivory grips...

[Don M]

Gary, please see this post for an update of my modest contribution to Vanderlinden's book: http://luger.gunboards.com/showthread.php?t=24141.

[alvin]

Originally Posted by postino

She will likely buy you a nickel plated pre-war Bolo with ivory grips...

I will engrave her image on the magazine well

Really want to get a Large Ring Bolo, but before there is a good one available, a small ring will do. Need a small ring version anyway.

[Lugerdoc]

Ron, The beautifully engraved C/S 4 on your FN1900 appears to be an enlarged verison of the German WW1 imperial inspector's C/S. If I were to guess, or create an interesting tail, I would suggest that it was gun #4 from the Imperial Guard for a Bavarian ruler (see the C/L for Leopold on a lot of WW1 Bavarian PO8 holster) who's name started with S. TH PS: I do have some FN1900 parts in stock.

[alanint]

Just guessing, but an elaborate royal engraving such as the one seen, along with an inventory number could have come from the palace guard of a royal house such as Saxony or Savoy.

Remember that the use or abuse of royal insignia were taken very seriously back in this era.

[Ron Wood]

Thanks for the guesses guys. It makes for interesting speculation but I doubt that I will ever really know. It is so nicely done that I have kept it for a good many years, plus it is a pretty nice example of a 1900.

[sheepherder]

I commented in the other FN 1900 thread that there was a seller on GB with a pitted 1900 with a bulged barrel...It's still there; has been for about a year (I think)...Price still too high...For that condition; otherwise, it's in my ballpark...

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=207220115

I commend this seller for being honest about the bulged barrel, and for showing *all* the pits (28 pics of pits!), but, really...$250 starting price??? And it has the "large" grips...

I have a tool for straightening out squibbed barrels, and even if it didn't work, Numrich has barrel(s) listed right now in stock for $60...

But those pits...[sigh]...

The $490 1900 is still there, too...and it doesn't look all that much better...(only 3 pics)...and it has the "small" grips...

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=206917049

Here's a comparison of the two...Pic attached...

Katyusha's 1900 is looking better all the time...