Old FN browning Model 1899

rlee1976 · Oct 13, 2011

Hi all. Just got myself an example of John Browning's (and the world's) first commercially successful semi-auto, the Model 1899 FN. This is the pre-cursor to the Model 1900, with only about 15,000 made. Anyway, I'm looking for help with getting the grips off the gun, and where better to come than the best and most helpful forum on the internet? The gun uses some kind of slotted screw with a back-plate to attach the grips. I've never seen this setup before. Any suggestions on how to unscrew this weird screw would be appreciated. Is there some kind of special screwdriver available for this? Thanks in advance.

Stevie · Oct 14, 2011

If it's like the FN Browning 1900..the screw loosens a machined steel strap doo-hicky..and you must have the magazine out and rotate the strap to clear the frame.

The nut..screw..slotted nut looks rusted to the grips..maybe soak it in some CLP for a day or so..while you take a 'sacrificial' screwdriver..and cut a slot in the center of the blade.

rlee1976 · Oct 14, 2011

Mmm, I don't know about the rust, I'll have to see, but I'm still not clear on how to unscrew the screw. Yes, there should be some kind of "strap" or "plate" on the back of the grip that the screw is screwed into, but are you saying that I have to get inside the grip frame somehow and unscrew it from the back of the grip? Sounds complicated.

Stevie · Oct 14, 2011

No..the 1900 has a screw..that pistol has a 'nut'..you need a spanner wrench..or a screwdriver with two prongs instead of the normal blade..Take a normal flat-bladed screwdriver of appropriate dimensions..and dremal out the center of the tip so you have two 'prongs' that will engage the two little slots you see on the fastening nut in the center of the grips(clean the dirt from the slots of course)...if it ain't rusty..should unscrew ok.

Don't overtighten when you go back on. Could crack the grips.

If you shine a light up inside the magwell..you will see the strap..with the nut loosened..you can stick something up inside and rotate the straps and the grips will come off.

Brownells might have a screwdriver..but it wouldn't be too hard to convert a standard screwdriver.

If the 1899 is like the 1900..the safety will lock the slide open for cleaning..and the gun field-strips by uncocking it..and removing the two big screws at the top-rear of the slide...pulling the slide forward off the breech-block/recoilspring assembly.

Not much to the cool little pistols really..but it's hard to see John Browning's hand in it..not at all like his other designs

rlee1976 · Oct 14, 2011

Thanks Stevie! As far as the safety doubling as the slide lock, I did read that about the model 1900, but unless I'm doing something wrong, that doesn't seem to be the case with the 1899. You're saying that on the model 1900 all you do is flip the safety upwards and it locks the slide back?

Stevie · Oct 14, 2011

Hold the slide full back..and flip the safety up.

rlee1976 · May 3, 2012

Took my 112 year old FN 1899 to the range yesterday. Fired about 20 rounds through it, no malfunctions. Truly amazing. My problem now is getting it disassembled for cleaning. I know on the Model 1900, which had some slight changes/improvements, you just unscrew the two large screws at the back of the slide. The screws on my 1899 are not coming loose! Am I missing something, some trick or procedure to get the 1899 field stripped, or are the screws just Loc-tited or rusted in there? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Ryan

WR Moore · May 4, 2012

Considering the condition of the screw slots on the slide, I'd expect you aren't the first to have issues.

PB Parts Blaster works well on stuck threaded fasteners. Soak for awhile. If you remove the grips, soaking in a bucket of kerosene for several days might also do the trick.

Marshwheeling · May 4, 2012

It looks like it calls for a smaller version of the tool used to remove Triumph clutch spring retainers. With careful Dremel and file work on a screwdriver,you ought to be able to get a pretty good fit.

rlee1976 · May 4, 2012

WR Moore said:
Considering the condition of the screw slots on the slide, I'd expect you aren't the first to have issues.

PB Parts Blaster works well on stuck threaded fasteners. Soak for awhile. If you remove the grips, soaking in a bucket of kerosene for several days might also do the trick.

Soak the whole gun in the kerosene?

Old FN browning Model 1899

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