FN BROWNING Mod.1900, Cal 7,65 Br.

The FN Browning Model 1900 is one of the most important firearms in the history of the semi-automatic pistol. It was designed by John Moses Browning in 1896–1897 and produced by Fabrique Nationale d’Armes de Guerre of Herstal, Belgium. The first examples were made in 1899, in the form known today as the Model 1899. Following some modifications requested by the Belgian Army, the improved version was adopted in 1900 and became known as the FN Browning Model 1900 or “Browning No. 1”. The pistol is chambered in 7.65 mm Browning/.32 ACP, a cartridge developed specifically for this family of firearms. It is blowback-operated and striker-fired, with a seven-round magazine. Its distinctive technical feature is the placement of the recoil spring above the barrel, a layout that gives it its characteristic appearance. The Model 1900 was one of the first reliable semi-automatic pistols to be manufactured on an industrial scale. It was adopted by the Belgian Army and used by numerous military, police and banking services in Europe and Asia. Production ended around 1911, after some 724,000–725,000 examples had been made.

The characteristic markings on the pistol pictured are:

• on the slide: “FABRIQUE-NATIONALE-HERSTAL-LIEGE. (BROWNING’S-PATENT)”;
• on the frame: “BREVETE-SGDGn”;
• ebonite grips with the FN monogram;
• manual safety marked “FEU”;
• lanyard ring at the base of the grip.

From the photograph, the pistol appears to be in very good cosmetic condition, with an even finish, well-preserved grips and little wear. However, the screw-mounted, adjustable rear sight assembly is unusual for a standard FN 1900, which was fitted with fixed sights.