Help me identify this FN pocket pistol

[Correia]

I'm helping a friend identify some of his older guns. Could you help me with the model and age of this gun?

I do not have a picture of the actual gun, but I found this one on the web. www.securityarms.com/20010315/galleryfiles/1400/1445.htm

That is exactly what it looks like, but there is no model number listed.

Markings on the slide 33640 FN Browning's Patent Depps.

It is a .32.

 

[Johnny Guest]

Browning 1922, I think - -

Either that or 1926--I'm drawing a (near) blank.

Later development of the 1910 pocket model for military and police useage. Longer grip frame, of course. Front 3/4 inch of the slide is a hollow cap with a spring catch and a sort of bayonet mount.

I had one back in the mid-1960s. Comfortable and easy to shoot pretty well. VERY nicely made. Sights were small, and, of course, the 7.65 mm Browning (.32 ACP) cartridge was no powerhouse. With such a long barrel, I'd bet the power improved somewhat, but I've never run any chronograph tests comaring this size .32 with same ammo in a pocket pistol. Might be interesting, huh?

Due cautions: This is a striker-fired pistol, and I get shaky, thinking about all the miles I carried mine, chambered and on safety. Giving credit where due, this is arguably the BEST quality and safest of the striker fired guns.

There were also some of same model made in 9mm short (.380 ACP,) though I don't know who used 'em.

Best,
Johnny

 

[rufe-snow]

It's a "MODEL 1922" FN Browning. Supposedly it was much used as a military/police pistol during the time between the two World Wars.
Approximately 200,00 were made for the Germans during their occupation of Belgium (1940-1944).

 

[Jim K]

That gun is the Model 1922 FN Browning. They were used by numerous police and military organizations and were the official service pistol of (at least) the Netherlands and Yugoslavia.

The Model 1910 had a shorter barrel and shorter grip. Some customers wanted both lengthened, and FN obliged, changing the barrel bushing to a longer type with a catch on it, and extending the grip frame to take a longer magazine.

As striker fired pistols go, those (and the similar Colt and Browning .25 calibers) are probably the best. The safety locks the sear solidly and the tolerances are tight so accidental firing is very unlikely. One weakness is the tendency to break firing pins in dry firing.

The Model 1922 was not made after WWII, but the Model 1910 was and many were imported here until the GCA of 68 included them in the "Saturday Night Special" category because of the size.

Jim

 

[Grayrock]

I just acquired one of these. How do I know what caliber it is? The barrel is only marked with the serial number where the ejection port is.

 

[Jim K]

They were only made in two calibers, .380 ACP and .32 ACP. They should be marked, but some wartime .32 ACP guns were not. You should be able to determine the caliber quite easily by either chambering a round (with proper precautions) or measuring the bore in the barrel.

Jim

 

[ghp]

Fabrique Nationale 1922 7,65mm (for the large pocket!)

world.guns.ru claims this gun was made up to 1983!!

I just got one myself: img_0723.jpg (link only works during the day here in Belgium, 6h30' - 22h). It was bought in 1946, I have the invoice, written in pencil. One shot was fired, the magazine still held the other 8 rounds, which fed and fired without a glitch (some people think springs get "tired" ;-). I also have a box of 25 rounds of Belgian (made by FN) 7,65mm ammo.

I'll be taking it to the range with new ammo - I'm saving the old box - this evening, to see what the precision of this old lady is.

Just noticed I could attach a picture, so you can watch while I sleep.

 

[SDC]

You should be able to narrow it down a bit more as to which specific variation of the 1922 it is; the military-issued versions of these normally had either a crest on the top of the slide (various governments) or waffenampts (German occupation production), while the commercial versions had a deep blue finish.

 

[ghp]

Well, I wouldn't call it blue (the picture is quite accurate), but the invoice (the shop where it was bought is still there, I'll pay them a visit) and the FN carton box would suggest it to be commercial issue, no?

What a pleasure to shoot. With one hand I have better results than two-handed with my Walther PP. Maybe the sights, maybe the lesser recoil.