Fn Browning Model 1910 Serial Numbers

Dan, I've attached a few closeups of the markings. So the markings are more important features than the serial number itself when figuring out the age? Forgive my ignorance here, but when you say post war, are you referring to WWI or WWII? I was under the assumption that the fairly low serial number (135921) in the overall production run of 700,000 weapons would put the date of manufacture somewhere in the late 1920's. Of course, if I really knew anything I wouldn't be asking in the first place, haha! Your ignorance is forgiven but only if you forgive mine. Yes, the markings are the key and only if you can find them or if the pistol has them.

The serial number is a guide of course after the features and markings are analyzed. It is one of the things that makes the FN so much fun to collect and study. And they all were post-WWI. Can you pull back the slide (as if to load it) and flip the pistol over. Have a look at the serial and markings inside that exposed underrail of the slide.

The Fabrique Nationale (FN) Browning Model 1922 pistol bears the distinction of. The Model 1910 gained favor because of its relatively economical pricing and 9mm. (Note: All prewar Model 1922's with serial numbers below 200,000 show.

What do you find (or photograph)? Cajuntempest wrote: Dan, I've attached a few closeups of the markings. So the markings are more important features than the serial number itself when figuring out the age? Forgive my ignorance here, but when you say post war, are you referring to WWI or WWII? I was under the assumption that the fairly low serial number (135921) in the overall production run of 700,000 weapons would put the date of manufacture somewhere in the late 1920's. Of course, if I really knew anything I wouldn't be asking in the first place, haha!:laugh: Cjt, I wanted to clarify my answer a bit.

The markings are more important than the serial on the Model 1922. With the other models from FN the serial would be key because there were few contracts that had there own serial ranges or contract numbers applied.

Not so in the the case of the 1922. FN would mark this model with a unique serial range for many contracts.

The Model 1910 was another successful John Browning firearms design that was initially produced by the Belgian firm of Fabrique Nationale. The sidearm proved an excellent addition to the inventories of many national armies and security forces around the world. The gun went on to see action in Word War 1 and World War 2, seeing production into the early 1980s. One notable user of the Model 1910 became Serbian Gavrilo Princip who used the gun to assassinate Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand on June 28th, 1914. This action is most often recognized as the 'trigger' to the powder keg that resulted in World War 1.

Master gunsmith John Browning developed his Model 1910 to improve upon his previous - and essentially his first successful - handgun attempt, the Model 1900. The Model 1900 became the first of his creations to be produced by the Belgium firm of Fabrique Nationale and featured a recoil spring fitted within a cylinder mounted above the barrel assembly, making for a unique though rather clumsy-looking gun. However, this served the pistol well in that it kept moving parts to a minimum and forged the beginning of what would become a long-lasting and flourishing venture between Browning and FN.

Up to this point, Browning leaned on both Colt Firearms and FN to produce his guns in the United States and Belgium respectively but, after Colt declined to produce his new Model 1910, Browning took his development to FN to market the type to European interests. The now-FN Model 1910 was offered in both.380 ACP (9x17mm Browning) and.32 ACP (7.65x17mm Browning Short) caliber forms and production of the new sidearm began in 1910. While appearing as early as 1910, the Model 1910 was not introduced to market until 1912, resulting in the gun sometimes being referenced as the 'Model 1912'. One major improvement of the new design over the previous Model 1900 was in the mounting of the recoil spring set around the barrel assembly, this helping to streamline the overall appearance of the gun and making for a lighter and more compact design to handle. The Model 1910 took on a conventional look, with the magazine well doubling as the angled pistol grip. The solid trigger unit was set within an oblong trigger ring while a safety lever was mounted within easy reach, its placement just aft of the grip near the thumb. If chambered for the.380 ACP, the magazine could accept up to 6-rounds in the spring-loaded magazine.