FN 1910 find
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Gene L
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Excellent little pistol. I've got one in .32 as well, in similar condition. Figuring out when it was made largely depends on the style of writing on the left side of the slide. I researched mine; it was made sometime in the 20s, can't remember the actual date.
Good news is you can change the pistol to .380 simply by changing the barrel...if you can find a .380 barrel...and if you want a .380.
Good news is you can change the pistol to .380 simply by changing the barrel...if you can find a .380 barrel...and if you want a .380.
.357magger
Member
Gustav Prinsap did use a 1910, but it was in 380, when he shot Mr/Mrs Archduke Ferdinand to kick off the War To End All Wars, Part 1.
Nice 1910 by the way. The 32s are MUCH harder to find than the 380s. I know because I've been looking for one.
IMHO, the 32 is much more enjoyable to shoot in that model.
Congratulations on a nice find and thanks for sharing it.
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Nice looking gun for it’s age. I have two of the older FN .32s like yours and two of the Browning marked .380s made in the last year of import, 1968. BTW the .32s are much more common in the old FN guns and in the US imported guns it’s the .380s that are much more common.
LVSteve
Member
Small 7.65/.32 blowback pistols are MUCH nicer to shoot than blowback .380s.
A John Browning design where he had to come up with a gun that didn't violate the patents for his other designs that he'd already sold. You know you are prolific when you are your own hardest competition!
Lower bore axis than the Colt model M (1903/1906) and slightly wider in the frame that sits in the hand so overall I think a better/softer shooting gun. I wish I'd kept mine, but I had a couple Ms with sentimental attachment and only so much room in the safe...
If you reload the .380 can be tuned to feel like a .32. Besides, some of these guns have a bit of variation in bore diameter so if you do want ANY accuracy despite those minute sights then reloading with a nicely-sized projectile helps. soft lead also is a lot easier on the rifling than FMJ/JHP fodder.
Lower bore axis than the Colt model M (1903/1906) and slightly wider in the frame that sits in the hand so overall I think a better/softer shooting gun. I wish I'd kept mine, but I had a couple Ms with sentimental attachment and only so much room in the safe...
If you reload the .380 can be tuned to feel like a .32. Besides, some of these guns have a bit of variation in bore diameter so if you do want ANY accuracy despite those minute sights then reloading with a nicely-sized projectile helps. soft lead also is a lot easier on the rifling than FMJ/JHP fodder.
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OP
hardknocks
Member
1955
At one point I had the newer browning 1955 in 380
Kinda snappy.
I have 5 or 6 older shooters in 32 acp and just picked up 500 rounds from a friend for $150.00 so I'm good for a little while.
Thanks for the replies.
At one point I had the newer browning 1955 in 380
Kinda snappy.
I have 5 or 6 older shooters in 32 acp and just picked up 500 rounds from a friend for $150.00 so I'm good for a little while.
Thanks for the replies.
I've had a couple of the Mod of 1955 (near identical) over the years. Very natural pointing and shooting. A helpful item for take down of the gun is a 4" to 6" piece of 1/2" garden hose. (To help remove the barrel busing).
I don't know why I always trade or sell them off, as every time I see one I try and buy it.
I don't know why I always trade or sell them off, as every time I see one I try and buy it.
This is an early FN 1910, serial number 1870, first year production. This may not be the original finish, FN did not plate the safety and trigger.
Note that the "swoop" on the bottom of the slide flows further back beyond frame step on these early models.
The stamping and edges have not been degraded by refinishing. Those grips are awful aftermarket replacements. The case is an original FN
Note that the "swoop" on the bottom of the slide flows further back beyond frame step on these early models.
The stamping and edges have not been degraded by refinishing. Those grips are awful aftermarket replacements. The case is an original FN
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Local pawn shop has one waffen amp marked for 900. Excellent condition.
I have shot my 32 quite a bit. It functions vey well and is an accurate "point and shoot" pistol. The only virtue in the sights is the will not hang up in your pocket.
Although the solid point 32 Auto is much maligned in today's culture of magic bullets and wonder nines, I fell the 32 fmj has good penetration and is easy to hit with. The ruthless butchers in the German officer corps in two world wars never found a need to upgrade from the 32 auto.
Although the solid point 32 Auto is much maligned in today's culture of magic bullets and wonder nines, I fell the 32 fmj has good penetration and is easy to hit with. The ruthless butchers in the German officer corps in two world wars never found a need to upgrade from the 32 auto.
Absalom
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
But that’s mostly because they didn’t ever need to use their personal pistols for anything but shooting somebody (or themselves at the end, like the boss) in the head at close distance.
Frontline officers carried unit-issued battlefield pistols, P08s and P38s.
My understanding from what I’ve read is that Nazi officers craved small handguns. Supposedly the higher the rank the smaller the gun issued. Some even carried .25 autos. A badge of honor signifying a non combatant status.
Lots of WWI 32 autos with regimental markings. My understanding is that German officers were NOT issued unit pistols. They were expected to buy their own and their own uniform. I would expect in the chaos of combat larger caliber unit pistols were picked up but it would have been considered bad form. I think Rommel had a Luger but he also had a Walther PP.
The caliber was in wide use by the police between the wars.
Shooting in the head at close range works for self defense also.
The caliber was in wide use by the police between the wars.
Shooting in the head at close range works for self defense also.
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Absalom
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Both, actually. The WW I situation is muddled; there are actually also a lot of Lugers with individual officer’s name engraved.
But by the time of the Wehrmacht, there was a clear separation between the officer’s personal pistol, to be privately purchased as part of his kit, and unit guns that belonged to the army. P08 Lugers and later P38s were not available for purchase.
In contrast to the mostly 7.65mm personal officers pistols, the Wehrmacht carried battlefield-sized 9mm Para pistols as part of unit inventory and generally issued them to a function, like Kompaniechef or Zugführer (Company commander/platoon leader). Magazines were handed out separately as needed. These pistols changed hands as functions changed and men were promoted or transferred. Depending on the branch, besides the pistol a submachine gun might also be assigned to the position.
Away from the front, and while off duty but in uniform, the officer carried his personal pistol.
Obviously, this system came apart as the Wehrmacht did, although looking at surviving paperwork it is amazing how the military bureaucracy continued to function late into the war as armies in the field collapsed. Even for the last desperate Volkssturm units there exist detailed records of guns and serials issued and such.
jimbo728
Member
I once had a bonifide WW1 Simpson Luger.
Foolishly sold it to a friend. It was a nice functioning pistol.
I like Lugers the .32`s are nice also.
Jim
Foolishly sold it to a friend. It was a nice functioning pistol.
I like Lugers the .32`s are nice also.
Jim
barbsaurus
US Veteran
Since we're showing...
FN1900, FN1910, FN1910/22 and the Browning 1955. Also have a Browning-Husqvarna 1907 with an original 9mm Browning long barrel. The 1910 and 1910/22 are 7.65 while the 1955 is a .380. Had a Browning 1910/71 until I sold it a few months ago. Now on the hunt for another.
The 10/22 has Nazi stamps of WWII (they look like blemishes in the photo). Notice the rough machining was never polished out of the frame and slide.
Still looking for more JMB designed handguns. For me, the Colt 1903/08 pocket hammerless is the best pointing pocket gun ever!
FN1900, FN1910, FN1910/22 and the Browning 1955. Also have a Browning-Husqvarna 1907 with an original 9mm Browning long barrel. The 1910 and 1910/22 are 7.65 while the 1955 is a .380. Had a Browning 1910/71 until I sold it a few months ago. Now on the hunt for another.
The 10/22 has Nazi stamps of WWII (they look like blemishes in the photo). Notice the rough machining was never polished out of the frame and slide.
Still looking for more JMB designed handguns. For me, the Colt 1903/08 pocket hammerless is the best pointing pocket gun ever!
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