Browning Model 1905 Vest Pocket vs. Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket

boykinlp · #1 08-02-2021, 10:21 PM

How do these two pistols compare size wise? And if any of you want to show us pictures of what you have, we will definitely enjoy them.
Thanks.
Larry

.357magger · #2 08-02-2021, 11:06 PM

While I can't provide pics, IIRC, they're almost identical and result from the marketing agreements that both FN and Colt had with JM Browning.

alwslate · #3 08-02-2021, 11:48 PM

Same gun, different brand name and manufacturer.

boykinlp · #4 08-03-2021, 05:26 PM

I was thinking that they were the same size. I recently acquired a new to me Lawrence holster. It is a Model 570, and according to the Lawrence chart, it fits a Browning .25 automatic. Since I don't have a Browning .25, I tried my Colt. The holster seems to be too small. I will try it again later tonight.
Larry

Grayfox · #5 08-03-2021, 05:50 PM

The holster is probably for the Browning "Baby" .25acp. Its slightly smaller than the Colt 1908 Vest Pocket.

Rpg · #6 08-03-2021, 05:55 PM

I believe these are similar in size, but not identical.

As I recall, the Browning is thinner than the Colt. The Colt has a grip safety while the Browning does not.

I may be wrong since I’m going by memory and am not comparing examples side by side.

desi2358 · #7 08-03-2021, 07:33 PM

The original FN Browning 1905 was basically identical to the Colt 1908 Vest Pocket model. The earliest production guns did NOT have the manual safety that the Colt had, they only had the grip safety. FN later added a manual safety like the Colt had but my memory is failing me and I can't remember exactly when they added it.

Years ago I rescued an early FN from a junk gun box at a Memphis gun show. Someone had gotten the barrel jammed trying to take the gun apart and it had been robbed of it's grips, magazine and mag catch. Digging around in the box I found the grip safety and sear spring which the old gentleman let me have along with the gun for the princely sum of $15. After a little work I got the barrel out and cleaned the gun up. A Colt mag and mag catch from Numrich and a set of Franzite grips found in another parts box at the next show and I had a fun little blaster. Wish I still had it but it got traded off some time later.

Many people confuse the later Baby Browning with the earlier model because the old model was sometimes referred to as "the Baby" in old adds. In 1931 FN marketed the new Baby Browning (designed by Dieudonne Saive) as a replacement for the 1905. It was thinner and smaller overall (similar to the Walther Model 9 and other very small 25 auto pistols) and dispensed with the grip safety while changing the manual safety to a larger, easier to operate lever.

Kurusu · #8 08-03-2021, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desi2358

The original FN Browning 1905 was basically identical to the Colt 1908 Vest Pocket model.

Many people confuse the later Baby Browning with the earlier model because the old model was sometimes referred to as "the Baby" in old adds. In 1931 FN marketed the new Baby Browning (designed by Dieudonne Saive) as a replacement for the 1905. It was thinner and smaller overall (similar to the Walther Model 9 and other very small 25 auto pistols) and dispensed with the grip safety while changing the manual safety to a larger, easier to operate lever.

This is very true. I'll just add the pictures to show the difference between the 2 FN models.

Browning Model 1905 Vest Pocket vs. Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket-20210804_014321-jpg

Browning Model 1905 Vest Pocket vs. Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket-20210804_014321-jpg

Browning Model 1905 Vest Pocket vs. Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket-20210804_014357-jpg

ISCS Yoda · #9 08-04-2021, 12:00 AM

I think this CZ DUO is of similar size, maybe a shade larger:

PSA was making replicas of the Baby Brownings but I think that company is gone now. This picture would seem to indicate that the Browning is a touch smaller than the DUO and the Beretta is probably at least 10 percent larger.

H Richard · #10 08-04-2021, 10:16 AM

This is one of the newer Browning's, vintage in the 60's I believe.

I haven't fired it much, but has been 100% reliable and surprisingly accurate within it's capable range of 10-15 yards.

Grayfox · #11 08-04-2021, 11:26 AM

Quote:

PSA was making replicas of the Baby Brownings but I think that company is gone now.

I just checked and their website is still active. I have one of the earlier PSP-25s that I bought back in the early 90s. Its an excellent gun. In fact, I think the PSP is better than the actual Browning Baby. I have both and definitely prefer the PSP-25.
But, be aware that PSP is very proud of their little gun and they ain't cheap.

old tanker · #12 08-04-2021, 11:47 AM

Some unmarked, nameless, knockoff lacking any proof marks flanked by a 1908 Colt on the left and a "Baby Browning" on the right.

A lot of people seem to have taken comfort from these kinds of little pistols. They seem to have been in a lot of pockets and purses over past 125 years. There was also no shortage of makers in Spain and elsewhere ready to satisfy the demand for a little less money than Colt or FN.

gregintenn · #13 08-04-2021, 04:09 PM

I want to think my Baby Browning is a touch smaller than my Colt Vest Pocket.

2152hq · #14 08-04-2021, 04:59 PM

The FN 1905 (sometimes refered to as the M1906) and the Colt 1908 25auto's are the same pistol save for a couple of changes that the respective mfg'rs decided to employ.

This was similar to what happened to most all of JMB patents sold and relicensed betw FN and an American arms mfg'r.
.... the A5/Rem Mod11, FN1900/Rem Mod8,,
Colts 1903 'Pocket' Hammerless / FN Model 1903 Hammerless,,ect.

FN had the Euro and Far East markets,,USA had the North and South American .

The FN 1905 was nicknamed the 'Baby' in Europe but never officially called that by the factory.

The smaller 25acp Baby Browning more commonly known to most wasn't around till the early 30's. Not a JMB design but one of Mr. Saive as noted above.
This FN designed and made pistol was officially called the 'Baby' and the grips originally had that spelled out in a banner along the lower edge of each side of the hard rubber panels. FN's intertwined logo was on the upper portion of the grip panels.

When Browning Arms USA was formed around 1952/53 for the importation of FN sporting arms into the USA this pistol started to be marked 'Browning' or Browning Arms Co. on the slide.
People immediately started calling it a Baby Browning.

It also lost it's 'Baby' marking on the grips at that time, actually probably before that.
But the USA imports did offer alloy frames and different plated and engraved finishes.
All gone in 1968 due to GCA.
But lots of clones over the years. Some good, some not so good.

The FN Model 1905 was manf'd right along with the Baby at FN thru the 30's and 40's. Some of both thru German occupation, though only a handful of the Baby pistols.
IIRC, the 1905 was discontinued at FN sometime in the 50's. It's licensing agreement orig with Colt was that FN would never directly market the 1905 in North or S America,,so it never was exported by FN to be sold here.

kaaskop49 · #15 08-05-2021, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old tanker

Some unmarked, nameless, knockoff lacking any proof marks flanked by a 1908 Colt on the left and a "Baby Browning" on the right.

A lot of people seem to have taken comfort from these kinds of little pistols. They seem to have been in a lot of pockets and purses over past 125 years. There was also no shortage of makers in Spain and elsewhere ready to satisfy the demand for a little less money than Colt or FN.

Great post! Those who knock these vest pocket gems may not have lived in areas where CCWs were non-existent and there was a need. Just dug out my old Smith "Book of Pistols & Revolvers:" there are 24 (!) pages of photos of .25 autos that existed or had existed at that time. Seems there was a demand.

BTW, that 'knockoff' in the middle of the photo looks pretty good, regardless of being unmarked and nameless. As a gambler, my $ is on that it functions!

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

Grayfox · #16 08-05-2021, 12:16 PM

I'm quite fond of the "Mouse Guns".
Everybody should have a gun for those times when you can't carry a gun.

My little PSP-25 is the one I most often turn to.

alwslate · #17 08-05-2021, 12:49 PM

In those times and places where “you can’t carry a gun” the “mouse gun” that I usually depend on is my pre safety Beretta 950B .25 acp.

old tanker · #18 08-06-2021, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaaskop49

...
BTW, that 'knockoff' in the middle of the photo looks pretty good, regardless of being unmarked and nameless. As a gambler, my $ is on that it functions!

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

Safe bet!

The mysterious knock off is reliable and pretty well constructed. The safety engages a takedown slot on the slide and the barrel dismounts in typical pocket gun fashion. It has a concealed hammer and a magazine disconnect. The "gutter sight" works much better than I expected. Hand sized groups at twenty feet are possible. The "S" and an "F" markings by the safety and the four digit serial number are all the external marks that are on it. The assembly number(?) 87 is on all the major components.

PALADIN85020 · #19 08-06-2021, 04:51 PM

Here's my little Colt M1908; now 102 years old and still working perfectly. Thanks, John Moses Browning!

John

VaTom · #20 08-06-2021, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PALADIN85020

Here's my little Colt M1908; now 102 years old and still working perfectly. Thanks, John Moses Browning!

John

Very Nice. Wish mine was in better condition but it has a story behind it which makes it special. It is a 5 digit serial number that dates it to 1913. It belonged to my grandfather who passed the year I was born (1953). One day about twenty years ago I was visiting my elderly great aunt. She said she had something for me that belonged to my grandfather. She went to a cedar chest in her bedroom and brought out a small item wrapped in newspaper and rubber bands. I opened it and it was the Colt. It had been wrapped in the newspaper for 50 years ever since his death. My grandfather was an entrepreneur
who had numerous businesses through the 1920's- early 1950's. I am sure he carried this pistol for protection while carrying cash, making deposits or butchering hogs as he owned a packing house at one time. Even though it functions properly I have never shot it. Same pistol different backgrounds.

boykinlp · #21 08-06-2021, 08:38 PM

VaTom, mine and yours are in about the same condition, but mine doesn't come with a nice story. Everybody has heard the saying "like putting lipstick on a pig". Well.......I did just that!

Larry

dsf · #22 08-07-2021, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old tanker

Some unmarked, nameless, knockoff lacking any proof marks flanked by a 1908 Colt on the left and a "Baby Browning" on the right.

A lot of people seem to have taken comfort from these kinds of little pistols. They seem to have been in a lot of pockets and purses over past 125 years. There was also no shortage of makers in Spain and elsewhere ready to satisfy the demand for a little less money than Colt or FN.

I suspect the slide serrations will hint at country of origin for this little pistol, which is definitely not FN or Colt -

IMG_0189.jpg

She's also not a 25 ACP but rather a 32 ACP chambering. Saw it in an OR pawn shop while picking up a High Standard, almost passed it by as a a 25 caliber.