F.N. Model 1899 or 1900

[Alk8944]

Just bought an old F.N. .32, made by F.N. under Browning patents. Does anyone have a reference for variations of these? The reason I ask is this gun is definitely atypical to the model. There are several differences from what would be expected of either model. And, finally, unlike any other F.N. produced firearm of any type there is no serial number onthe gun at all.

If anyone has a URL for a web site with good information, or any other reference material to point me at I would appreciate it very much.

 

[da gimp]

I'd wonder if the serial # had been removed

Years ago, we picked up a Nazi era Cz pistol, in 7.65mm(.32 ACP), that had no serial # on it when I was a deputy, no big deal, my sherrif had me stamp my initials and a 3 digit serial # on it(,thankfully he let me put it under the grips). I've never seen a Browning FN pistol sans #, there were some of the little takedown .22 autoloading rifles that were made without #'s, or had em on the butt plate, but those are the only ones that I can remember made without #'s. Is it possible it is a mod 1910, or 1922?


HTH

da gimp

OFC, Mo. Chapter

 

[s&wchad]

http://www.fn-browning.com/fn.htm

 

[walnutred]

A friends dad had a little 32 ACP pistol with no serial number and incomplete markings that he had picked up during WW2. I do not remember what it was but the story was that his unit had over run the factory during the war. The members of the unit were allowed to take what they wanted (and could easily transport) but by the time his turn came all that was left were bins full of parts. He was able to select enough parts, except for grips, to eventually build three pistols. After he returned home he was able to locate grips on the surplus parts market and had a local gunsmith blue the pistols for him. Two went to his brothers and he kept the one for himself.

So, as I recall the roll markings were on the slide, I know the caliber marking, in metric, was on the barrel, but the frame was clean of markings. Which all matched up with his story if you think about it from a production standpoint. Yours may have had a similar history.

Now the odd thing to me is that he was not a gun person, though his sons were. He would occasionally let us shoot it if we provided ammo. But he did not believe 32 ACP and 7.65 Browning were the same thing. He would only let us shoot it if we were able to locate ammo marked in metric.