I couldnt resist. Browning 1955

[t4halo]

I stopped at the local gun shop looking for something new. Hiding in the back of the bottom shelf of used pistols was this little 1968 Browning 1955. Beautiful lines and excellent condition. I had to have it. After finishing the paperwork I was about to pay and the shop owner says "hold on, there is a bag of goodies". He brings out a ziploc with 2 extra mags, 10-71 slide, barrel, spring, bushing and grips. Great little package. Can swap out the carry slide for a target slide. Now I have to find a 7.65 barrel and I'll be totally happy.

I added a picture of the 55 next to my old 36. Makes the 36 look big.

 

[Baxter6551]

What a great package !!!
Ok ok ok I'll be the first to ask ….. inquiring minds have to know ….
How much ???

 

[t4halo]

The 36 was free. My dad gave it to me years ago.

T4

 

[alwslate]

One of JMB's best designs ever and his own personal carry gun in .32 acp. I have two 1955s made in 1968 in .380 and two 1910s made in the 20s in .32 acp. A very simple ingenious design that remained virtually unchanged until production was halted sometime in the 80s I think. Us importation was stopped by the GCA of 1968.

 

[dobegrant]

Very nice and how cool to get all the goodies with it.

 

[t4halo]

Just stepped out back and put three magazines through the little Browning. What a pleasure to shoot. I like it!!

Here's a family pic of my pocket guns. A couple need bigger pockets.

 

[H Richard]

Oh, one of my favorite little pistols. I've had a couple of them, just fit your hand. Easy to carry.
With it's little brother the .25.

 

[backer]

Local dealer has one in very good condition along with the pouch for $1095.
Seems just a little high but I don't know much about them.
Bob

 

[Fullmetaljacket]

I always marvel at the craftsmanship of those Belgian Brownings. All those milled steel parts sliding around, they just reek of old school quality. A refreshing change from injection molded gun of the month.

 

[growr]

I think you need bigger pockets....or more of them!

Randy

 

[4T5GUY]

Nice find on an excellent pistol.

I was high bid on one in Portland so driving there and having a CC&R License I saved a few $$$. It's a 1968 but my other Browning semi's are 1969's. No one really bid on it so why not.

I thought it having both .32 and .380 barrels, two original magazines, owners manual and pouch was something I "needed". I like little, (quality,) vests and pockets.

Jim

 

[t4halo]

4T5GUY, great setup. I must find a 32 barrel.

Backer, Sounds a bit high to me. I paid about half that much.

T4

 

[jc2721]

I bought my Browning 380 years ago at my favorite LGS--it was a pile of parts in a cardboard box. Never having handled one before, in just a few minutes I figured out that only the grips and the barrel bushing were missing (such is the genius of JMB) so of course I bought it. In a month or so I was able to find original grips and a bushing for it, and in another deal I got about 5 or 6 extra magazines for it.

I haven't fired it yet, lol. One of these days I'll take it and its American cousin (Colt 1908) out for a test run.

 

[alwslate]

Local dealer has one in very good condition along with the pouch for $1095.
Seems just a little high but I don't know much about them.
Bob

They are great little pistols but $1095 is more than just a little too high

 

[Aggie1906]

Having been only an enlisted man, I found the assembly/disassembly a bit above me. (Insert: above my pay grade and outside my MOS) Finally made a bushing pusher out of a bit of garden hose. Sure is a pretty little thing! My trust of old timey safeties is too low to allow chambered carry, so it sits mostly. Love that JMB stuff!

 

[mikerjf]

I recall a story of one of these going off "by itself".

In a coat pocket, hanging up in the closet. So yes…

 

[alwslate]

I recall a story of one of these going off "by itself".

In a coat pocket, hanging up in the closet. So yes… [/QUOTE

"Story" might be the issue here. Extremely unlikely if the gun was in original condition. The cocking notch on the striker would have to shear off under pressure of the little striker spring or be an under size replacement that didn't fit it's tunnel in the slide

 

[alwslate]

Local dealer has one in very good condition along with the pouch for $1095.
Seems just a little high but I don't know much about them.
Bob

There are lots of 1955 .380s in the US. There are usually a few on Gunbroker at any given time listed under C&Rs or semi autos. Some may have a little bluing wear but have not been fired much. By browsing from time to time you can usually snag a pretty nice one for about half of $1095

 

[Heinz]

Here is my very early 1910 with a 4 digit serial number and the original FN box. You can note the swoop on the bottom front of the slide is different in the first year of production.

it has a few faults , but that lets me shoot it. And it still shoots very well.

 

[t4halo]

Heinz, very nice first year 1910. Were all first year pistols 7.65's?

T4