Help with an old pistol, pics inside.

[BlackSky]

My Dad just picked this up and neither of us really know what it is or any history behind it. I was hoping one of you firearm brainiacs might have a bit of info you could share about it.

It's F.N. Browning, model 1922 I think maybe sometimes called model 10/22. It has Nazi markings which are "WaA140" under an eagle's wings in at least 4 places. Three of the markings are the "WaA140" type and the forth one is a different style of eagle holding a round disc or standing on a round ball inscribed with the swastica. All serial numbers match. It came with the what we think is the original magazine marked with FN logo and 7.65mm.

 

[pharmer]

You nailed it. Browning Model of 1922. A muzzle modified version of the 1910. Although certainly not an improvement over the older model. Joe

 

[Crazy K38]

what is it chambered in? curious now LOL

 

[BlackSky]

7.65mm

 

[WR Moore]

You don't show closeups of the stampings, but your descriptions (eagle on a ball) are those of WaffenAmpt acceptance stamps, there should be a year there too.

The stampings indicate acceptance of the pistol into War Office service as a substitute standard sidearm. There were a whole pot-load of folks who, as officials under the Reich, were entitiled to sidearms.

 

[Muley Gil]

Also known as .32 ACP, a Browning designed cartridge.

 

[BlackSky]

Very cool, thanks guys. I'll try to get Pop to snap some close ups of the markings.

 

[Jack Flash]

The Nazis certainly were pistol-hungry. I guess they never knew when someone might need to be summarily executed.

They took FN over and manufactured pistols til Belgium was liberated. I thought they mainly made Hi-Powers, but could be they made everything they had machinery for. Odd-ball calibers did not seem to faze them much.

 

[haggis]

The absence of a letter suffix on the serial number makes your pistol a high polish blue variation, although the quality of the polish deteriorated as the war progressed. Jan Still's data suggest a mid-1942 production date. The main German designation for the pistol was P.641b. The "eagle over swastika in circle" is the army test proof signifying passage of a proof load. "Eagle/WaA140" is the army acceptance stamp on the various parts that required it. The magazine has the correct "FN 7.65mm" markings. That chambering is the most common small pistol cartridge that the Germans used.

The main differences between the M1922 and its parent M1910 are a longer barrel requiring a slide extension, and a higher capacity magazine with the attendant longer frame. This was a holster pistol, not a pocket pistol.

A nice example of a fairly common pistol (350,000+ made) - good starter for a collection of WWII pistols.


Buck

 

[Horace Smith]

haggis -

Nice post !

 

[fiasconva]

I have one of those I inherited from my father in law. From what I've read and researched, that is the sidearm the Nazis gave to the postal clerks, administration types, typists, and those type of soldiers. There were over 350,000 of them produced and tons of them ended up here in the US as carry backs from US troops returning from the war. It's one well built little gun and field strips easily. Once you get it apart you'll see it's pretty good quality.

 

[sjmjax]

I have two of those Browning 1922s. One with the Nazi acceptence mark and one without. Both in 7.65/.32acp caliber. Both are very accurate, reliable and pleasant to shoot. I think they were quite popular 'in their day'.

As mentioned by others, the gun is well made, dissassembles easily once you get the hang of it and both parts & spare magazines fairly easy to obtain.

Here's a link to field stripping if you need it:

http://www.gunsworld.com/assembly/browning1922_ass_us.htm

 

[Forester]

Blacksky, FWIW, I've seen two of these recently in local shops. One priced at $300 and the other at $370.