FN model 1910

FN Model 1910
FN Model 1910 of the Gendarmerie of Vaud, on display at Morges castle museum.
Type	Semi-automatic pistol
Land of Origin	Belgium
Specifications
Length	153mm (1910); 178mm (1922)
Weight	590g (1910); 700g (1922)
Cartridge	9x17mm Browning (.380 ACP) 7.65x17mm Browning (.32 ACP)
Action	Blowback operated
Feed	1910: 6- (.380) or 7-round (.32) detachable box magazine 1922: 8- (.380) or 9-round (.32) detachable box magazine
Sights	Notch and post iron sights
Production History
Designer	John Browning
Manufacturer	Fabrique Nationale (FN)
Produced	1910 - 1983
Variants	See Variants

The FN Model 1910 was a blowback-operated, semi-automatic pistol designed by John Browning and manufactured by Fabrique Nationale of Belgium.

Development

The FN Model 1910 was a departure for Browning. Before, his designs were produced by both FN in Europe and Colt Firearms in the United States. Since Colt did not want to produce it, Browning chose to patent and produce this design in Europe only. Introduced in 1910, this pistol used a novel operating spring location surrounding the barrel. This location became the standard in such future weapons as the Walther PPK and Russian Makarov. It incorporated the standard Browning striker-firing mechanism and a grip safety along with a magazine safety and an external safety lever (known as the "triple safety") in a compact package. Offered in both .380 ACP (6-round magazine) and .32 ACP (7-round magazine) calibers, it remained in production until 1983.

An FN M1910, serial number 19074, chambered in 9x17mm Browning Short (.380 ACP) (the others were 19075, 19120 and 19126 purchased for the Black Hand members) was the handgun used by Gavrilo Princip to assassinate Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914, precipitating the First World War.

Variants

FN Model 1922 7,65mm

A variant of the Model 1910 was known variously as the Model 1922 or 1910/22. This was a larger model with a longer barrel, slide extension, and a longer grip frame to accommodate an extra two rounds. This model was aimed at military and police contracts and many examples were produced for various agencies. The FN Model 1910/1922 was initially designed for the "Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes" (which was renamed Yugoslavia in 1929). The FN Model 1910/1922 was used by the following countries: Yugoslavia, Holland, Greece, Turkey, Romania, France, Finland, Denmark, Nazi Germany, and later West Germany.

Browning Model 1955 with six-round magazine.

In 1955, the Browning Arms Company introduced this pistol for the American market as the Model 1955. Made in Belgium, this model was virtually identical to the European model except for the markings. Importation ceased in 1968 due to the passage of stricter gun-control laws in the U.S. Another version, the Model 1971, featured a longer barrel and slide, adjustable sights, a finger-rest magazine, and enlarged 'target' grips. These features were intended to comply with the Gun Control Act of 1968 which had halted import of the Model 1955.

Resources

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  Parts view of the 1910, with parts list

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  Exploded view, parts list in file

References

• Modern Firearms - Handguns - Browning 1910, 1922 and 380
• French and World Guns, Pistols, Revolvers, Rifles Since 1800.
• Vojta, Jira T. in AutoMag, Volume XXXII, Issue 10, January 2000, pp. 231–233.