Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Co. is pleased to present this historic semi-automatic pistol today for a penny-start auction, this is the Fabrique Nationale Model 1900!
The Model 1900 saw extensive use throughout Europe: Belgium ordered 10,000 pistols in 1900, and the design served as the Belgian military sidearm through World War I. The Austro-Hungarian Empire also purchased the gun—770 were in inventory by 1914—and it was widely employed by German police, bearing police markings and many of which were configured with German-language safeties for contract sales. This particular example bears the marking “K.P.T.No 83”, which indicates it was stamped and used by a German Police department.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Fabrique Nationale
Model: 1900
Serial: 77301
Date of Manufacture: 1899-1907
Caliber: .32 ACP
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 4"
Optics/Sights: Fixed Blade Front with Fixed Notch Rear
Stock/Grips: Black Checkered Grips
Action: Semi-Automatic
Markings: Standard / The left side of the slide is stamped “FABRIQUE-NATIONALE-HERSTAL-LIEGE, (BROWNING'S-PATENT)”. The left side of the slide is stamped with a gun over FN Monogram, which is above “BREVETE-S.G.D.G.” The left side of the frame is also stamped “K.P.T.No 83”, which is a German police marking.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The original FN Browning pistol was known as le Pistolet Browning, or the Browning Pistol; only later, after the introduction of additional Browning designs, did year-model designations such as 1899, 1900, and 1910 become common use. When the Model 1900 appeared, FN retroactively referred to the 1899 as the modèle de pré-série (pre-series model). When the 1910 arrived, the earlier 1899/1900 variants were often referred to as the “old model Browning.” At the request of the Belgian military, the Model 1900 incorporated several improvements over the Model 1899, including a more heavily reinforced frame, larger and thicker grip plates, a lanyard loop, and safety markings labeled “Sur” and “Feu,” with German and English markings offered by special order. A cocking indicator was added by extending the top of the cocking lever so that it intrudes into the sight picture when the pistol is uncocked, allowing the shooter to determine cocked status visually or by touch. The reinforced frame area above the trigger guard extends from the rear of the guard to the ejection port and is several thousandths of an inch thicker than on the Model 1899; its rear line is cut at a right angle to the top of the frame. The grip tang and the top of the breech block (which forms the rear sight) were subtly reshaped, and the circular pad on the safety lever was checkered; the safety also functions as a slide hold-open when engaged with the slide fully retracted.
Model: 1900
Serial: 77301
Date of Manufacture: 1899-1907
Caliber: .32 ACP
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 4"
Optics/Sights: Fixed Blade Front with Fixed Notch Rear
Stock/Grips: Black Checkered Grips
Action: Semi-Automatic
Markings: Standard / The left side of the slide is stamped “FABRIQUE-NATIONALE-HERSTAL-LIEGE, (BROWNING'S-PATENT)”. The left side of the slide is stamped with a gun over FN Monogram, which is above “BREVETE-S.G.D.G.” The left side of the frame is also stamped “K.P.T.No 83”, which is a German police marking.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The original FN Browning pistol was known as le Pistolet Browning, or the Browning Pistol; only later, after the introduction of additional Browning designs, did year-model designations such as 1899, 1900, and 1910 become common use. When the Model 1900 appeared, FN retroactively referred to the 1899 as the modèle de pré-série (pre-series model). When the 1910 arrived, the earlier 1899/1900 variants were often referred to as the “old model Browning.” At the request of the Belgian military, the Model 1900 incorporated several improvements over the Model 1899, including a more heavily reinforced frame, larger and thicker grip plates, a lanyard loop, and safety markings labeled “Sur” and “Feu,” with German and English markings offered by special order. A cocking indicator was added by extending the top of the cocking lever so that it intrudes into the sight picture when the pistol is uncocked, allowing the shooter to determine cocked status visually or by touch. The reinforced frame area above the trigger guard extends from the rear of the guard to the ejection port and is several thousandths of an inch thicker than on the Model 1899; its rear line is cut at a right angle to the top of the frame. The grip tang and the top of the breech block (which forms the rear sight) were subtly reshaped, and the circular pad on the safety lever was checkered; the safety also functions as a slide hold-open when engaged with the slide fully retracted.
The grip plates were made thicker than those of the M1899 and nearly fill the grip frame. Early military contract pistols sometimes featured plain checkered grips without the oval FN cartouche—now quite scarce—and many were later fitted with equally scarce plain wooden replacements. Commercial grip plates retained the oval cartouche with an image of the pistol and the FN monogram until 1905. The left panel includes a cutout where it meets the lanyard. Around serial number 200,000, the grip plates were redesigned slightly smaller, leaving a narrow border of exposed frame, and the cartouche was simplified to a large FN monogram. Throughout its production, the pistol continued to be referred to simply as le Pistolet Browning. Finishes included rust blue or nickel plate, with early pistols featuring fire-blue triggers. FN offered six levels of engraved artwork and gold inlay, along with mother-of-pearl or ivory grips. Nickel-plated examples were given a black undercoat, which also remained on the trigger, safety, and screws; where the plating has worn, the black base layer should be visible.
The Model 1900 saw extensive use throughout Europe: Belgium ordered 10,000 pistols in 1900, and the design served as the Belgian military sidearm through World War I. The Austro-Hungarian Empire also purchased the gun—770 were in inventory by 1914—and it was widely employed by German police, bearing police markings and many of which were configured with German-language safeties for contract sales. The Model 1900 also saw use by Finnish police and appeared in various conflicts up through 1945. Approximately 724,550 Model 1900 pistols were produced before production ceased in 1914, with sales already declining following the introduction of the Model 1910 in 1912; indeed, the success of the 1899/1900 series may have spurred Colt to initiate production of its first automatic pistol in 1900.
Contents:
This example will ship with one magazine!
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping with Insurance $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping with Insurance $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
We strive to ship orders within the close of the following business day after payment and documentation is received.
Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Payment MUST be received within 14 days.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
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