FN Model 1903

FN Model 1903
Husqvarna m/1907 variant
Type	Single action semi-automatic pistol
Land of Origin	USA / Belgium
Specifications
Length	205 mm
Barrel length	127 mm
Weight	930g unloaded
Cartridge	9 x 20 mm SR Browning Long, 7.65x17mm SR Browning (.32ACP)
Action	Blowback
Feed	7- (9mm) or 8- (7.65mm) round box magazine
Sights	fixed iron sights
Service History
Wars	WW1, WW2
Production History
Designer	John Browning
Design Date	1902
Manufacturer	Fabrique Nationale
Produced	1903-1942
No. Built	153,173

The FN Model 1903 (M1903, FN Mle 1903 or FN Ml 1903), or Browning No.2 was the second production blowback-operated pistol, engineered by John Browning and made by Belgian arms manufacturer Fabrique Nationale. The design was a serious improvement over the older Browning No.1 (FN M1900) pistol.

It was introduced in 1903 and fired the 9 x 20 mm SR Browning Long cartridge. It should not be confused with the US-made Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless (also in .32 ACP), nor with the Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammer (in .38 ACP), even though they are all based on the same mechanical design, which Browning sold to both Colt and FN (and others as well).

Due to its reliability, accuracy, light weight, and quick reloading, the M1903 was an issued sidearm for many police forces and militaries, including those of Estonia, Paraguay, Russia, Turkey, and Sweden (manufactured under license as the Husqvarna m/1907) from 1917 and until 1942. Contrary to some belief however, the FN Mle 1903 was never accepted as official sidearm of either the Netherlands or Belgian army.

FN built slightly less than 60,000 M1903 pistols, plus Husqvarna built another 94,000 pistols. Many of these pistols were later modified in the United States, with a bushing in the chamber to fire the more common .380 ACP ammunition.

This pistol can be called a forerunner of most semi-automatic pistols in the world, in one respect or another. Significantly underpowered by modern standards, it was still reliable, accurate and comfortable to carry and fire. It also offered a much faster reloading procedure than any of contemporary military or civilian revolvers.

Description

The FN/Browning M1903 (and its offshoots, whether made by FN in Belgium or by Colt in USA), is a blowback operated, semi-automatic pistol. The recoil spring was located under the barrel, like most modern pistols. The single action trigger unit has a concealed hammer (Colt also produced similar models with open hammers). The non-pivoting trigger is somewhat similar to the latter Colt/Browning M1911 trigger. The manual safety switch is located at the left side of the frame, above the grip panel. When engaged, it locks both the sear and the slide. It also locks the slide in the open position for disassembly. An additional automatic grip safety locked the sear unless the gun is properly held in the palm.

The barrel is locked to the frame by several radial ribs. To disassemble the pistol, one must retract the slide, lock it open with the safety, then rotate barrel out of engagement with the frame, and then remove barrel and slide. An automatic slide stop (hold open) device was also incorporated, with the visible lever located at the right side of the frame, above the trigger guard.

The single stack magazine is inserted in to the butt and locked by the lever at the heel of the grip. Military issue pistols also had lanyard ring on the left side of the grip.

Oops

Licence Renewed, in which James Bond carried an FN Mle 1903

In the world of fiction, the FN Ml 1903 was used as a sidearm by British spy James Bond, in John Gardner's 1981 novel Licence Renewed. The pistol was depicted on the front cover of the first edition of the novel. By 1981 the pistol had been out of production for several years, and following the surprising amount of resultant criticism from fans, Gardner chose to avoid the hassle and stick to more modern designs for his subsequent Bond novels.

Resources

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  Husqvarna M1907 variant, with parts legend.

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  FN 1900 parts view, no parts legend.