FN BROWNING “BABY”, Cal. 6,35

The FN Baby Browning is one of the best-known European pocket pistols. It was designed in 1926–1927 by the Belgian engineer Dieudonné Saive, who later created the Browning Hi-Power pistol and the FN FAL rifle. The model was developed from the FN 1905/1906, originally designed by John Moses Browning, but is smaller, lighter and of simplified construction. The pistol is blowback-operated, with a single-action striker-fired mechanism, a manual safety and an automatic magazine safety. It is chambered in 6.35 mm Browning/.25 ACP, and the magazine holds six rounds. At only about 104 mm long and weighing around 275 g, the Baby Browning was intended for discreet carry and personal defence. FN made approximately 550,000 pistols between 1931 and 1979. European production later continued for a short period at MAB in France.

The pistol in the photograph is an original Belgian version, marked: “FABRIQUE NATIONALE D’ARMES DE GUERRE HERSTAL BELGIQUE – BROWNING’S PATENT DÉPOSÉ”. The grips bear the FN emblem at the top and the word BABY at the bottom, a configuration characteristic of earlier FN production. Grips made after about 1960 are commonly found with the “Browning” marking, so the pistol pictured dates from an earlier period; the grips are original.

From the photograph, its cosmetic condition appears excellent:

• deep black bluing, well preserved;
• edges and serrations without significant wear;
• very crisp markings;
• original FN Baby grips, with no cracks;
• screws and magazine base plate in very good condition;
• only very faint handling marks.