FN Browning 1922, Nazi commercial in German Military Handguns Forum

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FN Browning 1922, Nazi commercial

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VIS35	FN Browning 1922, Nazi commercial	Lead	[-]
Posts: 3571 Feb 21 08 8:49 PM Forum Site Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Tags : None Along with the Walther Mod 4, shown in a prior post, also acquired this nice FN Browning 1922, serial 41990a. It is somewhat unique in that although produced under Nazi occupation of the FN factory it was diverted for commercial sale instead of going to the military. These 1922's will only bear the Nazi military test proof, eagle over swastika and not the waffenamt acceptance stamps or only the Nazi commercial test proof eagle over N. Another feature of these of these commercial pistols is that they bear a small triangle stamp on the rear of the frame. Frame and slide with the test proof only, note there are no waffenamt acceptance stamps Barrel with test proof and serial Barrel of this pistol did receive the waffenamt, eagle WaA140 Francis VIS aka Blind Hog "Even a Blind Hog sometimes finds an acorn"
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Bryan 45		#1	[-]
Posts: 2670 Feb 22 08 7:49 AM Host Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Another very nice pistol. After getting a 1910, these 1922s are really growing on me.
stanboone		#2	[-]
Posts: 60 Feb 29 08 3:09 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I just picked up one of these from a guy that was selling me an IBM carbine. Don't know much about them. It is in very good condition, very similar condition to the one above. Same wooden grips. It has all the factory proofs and marks, but no nazi markings at all. Its serial number would seem to put it in the production group after the capture and occupation of Belgium. No prefix or suffix to the serial number. Serial number is: 25884. Any idea as to when this was built and who might have used it? It came with 6 FN marked 7.65 mm magazines. There are a couple of other differences. The serial number on the barrel is on the side opposite the opening. What shows in the 7 mm 65 and the proof marks above that almost covered by the slide. The nose extension on the side is marked with the serial number, but is straight along the rear edge without the bevel to match the slide. Also, the slide is not stamped with a serial number at all, but is stamped properly with maker info and factory proof/inspector stamps, which also match the markings on the frame.
Bryan 45		#3	[-]
Posts: 2670 Feb 29 08 7:55 AM Host Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Does it have a "H" in a circle on it near the proof marks? Based on the low serial number, I would expect it is prewar.
VIS35		#4	[-]
Posts: 3571 Feb 29 08 11:31 PM Forum Site Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	stanboone, Thank you for posting information on your pistol. These are very interesting pistols. With something like 60 years of production, one could assemble quite a collection of contracts and variations. Any chance of posting photos of your pistol? I am far removed from any kind of authority of FN 1922 pistols, but I feel that your pistol was part of a postwar French purchase. I base this from reading Anthony Vanderlinden's "The Belgian Browning Pistols", copyright 2001. He states that these pistol's serial range is 1 to 30,000 and they appear to share certain characteristics. No letter prefix or suffix and bear Belgian proofs. "They have no bevel on the barrel-lug (nose extension) and wooden grips without lanyard loop". "The slide has 16 serrations on the rear unlike the 17 on prewar and wartime models". "The markings on the triggerguard are alike on all models of this contract". (a 6 within a square ?) "The slide grooves are the long version". "The barrel and frame (I think the author meant slide) are numbered internally". Francis VIS aka Blind Hog "Even a Blind Hog sometimes finds an acorn" Last Edited By: VIS35 Feb 29 08 11:51 PM. Edited 1 times.
stanboone		#5	[-]
Posts: 60 Mar 1 08 7:24 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	The 1922 I bought has all of those characteristics and markings (except I'm not quite sure what exactly is meant by "The slide grooves are the long version". Did they happen to say when this contract was delivered to the French? Was it for Police or Military use? Thanks a lot for the info. I had not noticed the 1922 before and almost didn't take it, but am now glad I did. Interesting little pistol.
VIS35		#6	[-]
Posts: 3571 Mar 2 08 10:19 PM Forum Site Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	(except I'm not quite sure what exactly is meant by "The slide grooves are the long version") The difference in machining characteristics of the frame/slide grooves. The postwar pistols are larger/deeper than the prewar and German occupation production. Here is a side by side comparison, the example on the left is a German occupation production, serial number 191597, Eagle over WaA140 and the example on the right a postwar contract production, serial number A91034. Francis VIS aka Blind Hog "Even a Blind Hog sometimes finds an acorn"
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stanboone		#7	[-]
Posts: 60 Mar 3 08 2:53 AM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I see. Yes it has the longer slide grooves. Thanks a lot. I appreciate the education. Next step, shoot the thing.
stanboone		#8	[-]
Posts: 60 Mar 7 08 6:03 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Just a couple of quick pics. First try and no where as good as yours, LOL.
VIS35		#9	[-]
Posts: 3571 Mar 7 08 10:09 PM Forum Site Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Thanks for the photos, that is a nice clean example, congratulations. These are interesting pistols and as previously mentioned, there are a number of variations so that a nice collection can be assembled. The grips are exceptionally nice, hardly any wear at all. BTW, your photos are very nice, shows exactly what the viewer needs. Francis VIS aka Blind Hog "Even a Blind Hog sometimes finds an acorn"
Brassrat	Commercial FN 1922 with unique mark	#10	[-]
Posts: 10 Mar 17 08 6:25 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Greetings! I just stumbled on this site and was hoping someone could help me. I picked up a Nazi era commercial FN 1922 with an unusual marking. It appears to be a police officer extending his arm. I have never seen anything like it does anyone have any guesses what it may be? As you can see it is a "C" series suffix serial number. It has a Nazi eagle over "N" stamped on the barrel as well as Eagles only stamped on the reverse side of both the frame and slide ( no waffenamt acceptance stamps). Any held would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.
VIS35		#11	[-]
Posts: 3571 Mar 20 08 10:50 PM Forum Site Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Brassrat, Sorry for not getting back to you sooner, but I just could not remember the company trade mark. Had to contact another collector to jog my memory. That is one of the two trade marks for the firm Albrecht-Kind of Berlin-Nürnberg, also known as "Akah". Within the collecting community is is known as the "shooting policeman" or "shooting man". The other Akah trade mark is crossed pistols over crossed rifles entwined in a wreath, with D.R.G.M. above and Akah below. Akah was one of the premier manufacturers and distributors of quality arms, leather goods, sporting goods, etc., commercial and military. A marking that is not commonly encountered on the wartime FN Browning 1922. Francis VIS aka Blind Hog "Even a Blind Hog sometimes finds an acorn"
Brassrat		#12	[-]
Posts: 10 Mar 22 08 10:10 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Hey thanks a million! That is just the information I was seeking. I am learning more and more all of the time! Thank you again, I really appreciate your help!
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