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May 2001:
May 2001:
Jan 30, 2020 Gentlemen, I am confused concerning FN 1922 serial numbers. I understand that wartime serial numbers continued into aprox 155,000 under German occupation. I know that the Germans re-configured the serial numbers to run in blocks of 100,000 with a letter suffix in late 1943 until the end of production in 1944. My understanding is that when the Belgians continued producing this pistol in late. This also applies to other industries that are subject to tight regulation like weapons. My FNX-9 serial number is: FX1U0xxxxx and I believe 'FX' is FNX line or 'F' is FN Company and 'X' is FNX line, '1' is the year 2011, 'U' is for USA and the rest is production number and check number or just the production number.
Oct 20, 2009 (Example: A pistol with the serial number 34554b is actually the 234,554th pistol produced - the first block of 100,000 had no suffix, pistols 100,000 - 199,999 were suffixed with an a, and pistols 200,000 through 299,999 were suffixed with a b.) In 1944, serial number markings were simplified with the full serial number appearing only on the. Mar 08, 2008 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. Jun 29, 2012 Up for sale.7.65mm (.32ACP) FN Browning 1922 (AKA 1910/22 or 10/22) with FN box (appears to be original box) and 2 magazines. Pistol is numbers-matching (frame, barrel, barrel cap, and slide). I'd put the condition about 95%. Comes with 2 magazines, one is rollmarked with the 'FN' trademark and '7.65m/m' and the other is unmarked.
The FN BrowningModel 1922 Pistol |
Type: Self LoadingPistol System of Operation: Blowback Caliber: 7.65mmBrowning or 9mm Browning Short Capacity: 8 roundbox magazine Sights front: Blade Sights, rear: Adjustableaperture Length: 7.01' Weight (loaded): 25.7ozs Barrel: 4.5', 6 grooves,right hand twist |
Fn Rifle Serial Numbers
HISTORYThe FabriqueNationale (FN) Browning Model 1922 pistol bears the distinction of beingdeveloped strictly at the request of a FN customer. Specifically,the 'Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes' (later known as Yugoslavia)which had been created out of the ashes of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In the early 1920's the Yugoslav military was in a shambles. Itsconstituent entities had fought the Balkan wars of 1912 and 1913, thenthe First World War. The arsenals were empty, and the army devoidof war materiel. The Serbs, forming the majority of the new Yugoslavstate, had been an important FN client since the beginning of the firm,in the 1880's, and decided to turn to the Belgian firm for their war materielneeds. Initial considerations for the new Yugoslav service handgunwere the FN Models 1903 and 1910. The Model 1903 was rejected asbeing too expensive. The Model 1910 gained favor because of its relativelyeconomical pricing and 9mm Browning Short cartridge. While the Model1910 performed well in the evaluations, it had some shortcomings as a militarypistol. The Yugoslavs requested a longer barrel conducive to greateraccuracy, as well as increased magazine capacity.
Thedesign problem was turned over to the FN Bureau d'Etudes (Research andDevelopment Office). The Bureau d'Etudes took stock of the situation. The Yugoslavs certainly couldn't afford the expense of developing and toolingfor a new pistol. Consequently, a series of modifications to theModel 1910 were proposed that would save considerably on tooling and startup production costs. A forged steel cap was added to the 1910 slidein order to accommodate the longer (113mm as opposed to the 1910's 88mm)barrel. The frame was lengthened to accommodate the longer magazine. A lanyard ring was added. The engineering was complete by 1922, andthe Yugoslavs placed an order for 60,000 pistols on February 28, 1923. | Image Credit: Vanderlinden, Anthony, The BelgianBrowning Pistols, Wet Dog Publications, Greensboro, North Carolina, 2001: Page129 |
The M1922is a blowback operated pistol; there is no mechanical lock between theslide and barrel. Instead, the breech is held closed by a combinationof the mass of the slide and a stout recoil spring. Operation ofthe pistol is as follows: A loaded magazine is inserted into thebutt, and the slide drawn to the rear. When the slide is released,it moves forward under pressure of the recoil spring and strips a roundfrom the magazine into the chamber, retaining the cartridge's rim underthe externally mounted extractor. When the slide is drawn to therear, the striker is also pulled to the rear, compressing the striker spring. When the slide is drawn to the rearmost position, the striker's nose ridesover, and is retained by the sear.
Northbrook, Illinois,1992: Page 66 | Whenthe trigger is pressed, the trigger bar presses against the sear, rotatingit back and down. This frees the striker to move forward and firethe chambered round. Upon firing, the case moves sharply rearward,imparting rearward motion to the slide. The case is pulled from thechamber by the extractor. As the slide moves to the rear, the striker'stip is pushed out through the firing pin hole and serves as an ejector. The M1922 is equipped with a triple safety system. There is a gripsafety which, unless depressed, prevents the sear from rotating and releasingthe striker. There is a thumb safety which, when engaged, preventsthe grip safety from being depressed. The thumb safety cannot beengaged unless the grip safety is released. There is also a magazinesafety that prevents the sear from rotating unless a magazine is fullyseated in the |
Disassemblyis effected by first removing the magazine There is a latch on theforward left side of the slide at the junction of the slide and the slidecap. By pressing the latch toward the muzzle, the slide cap is freedto rotate. By rotating the slide cap ninety degrees, the cap's internaltenons are freed from the interrupted raceway internal to the front endof the slide, and the cap can move forward and out of engagement with theslide (note: it is under considerable pressure from the recoil spring). The slide is then easily retracted and the safety locked into the forward,disassembly notch. The barrel is now aligned with the slide's disassemblyrecess. The barrel can now be rotated ninety degrees counterclockwise(as viewed from the muzzle). This rotates the barrel tenons out oftheir recesses in the frame. The slide and barrel can then be slidforward off the frame. The recoil spring can be removed, the barrelrotated back, and then pulled out from the front.
CONTRACT PISTOLSMany nationsadopted the Model 1922, each of them under a separate contract from FN. The following is a short listing of the Model 1922 contract pistols.
Yugoslavia: Yugoslavia was the first nation to adopt the Model 1922, placing an orderfor some 60,000 pistols in February, 1923. Orders for the pistolscontinued into the late 1930's, with service being provided for the Yugoslavpistols at the Kragujevac Arsenal (which had been set up under the guidanceof FN personnel). Many of the Yugoslav Army M1922 pistols were capturedby the Germans during World War Two. These captured pistols werereissued to German and satellite forces under the designation P641(j). Large quantities also remained in partisan hands, becoming known as theprimary pistol of Tito's Army. Yugoslav Army pistols are marked inCyrillic on the right side of the slide with the legends 'Army State' or'Officer.' | Publications, Greensboro, North Carolina, 2001: Page135 |
Publications, Greensboro, North Carolina, 2001: Page140 | Holland:The Dutch government placed its first order for Model 1922 pistols in October1924. The 2,000 7.65mm pistols in this shipment received the Dutchdesignation Pistool M25 No.1, and was intended for issue to twodifferent law enforcement agencies. The Koninklijke Marechaussee,or Royal Military Constabulary, received approximately 1,200 pistolsfrom this order, while the Politie Troepen, or Police Troops, receivedthe remaining 800. In the following year the Dutch expanded issueof the M1922 to machine gun crews. The M1922's issued to the DutchArmy were known as Pistool M25 No.2, the designation differing asthe army guns were chambered for the 9mm Browning Short instead of 7.65mm. Serialization of the M25 No.2 started at 3000, with the first order of2,000 pistols being shipped in April 1926. Military orders continued |
Fn Pistol Serial Number Lookup
AdditionalDutch orders were placed for law enforcement agencies. In 1927, 150M25 No.2 pistols were purchased for the Curacao police. In 1929,the rural police force purchases 100 M25 No.1, and in 1934, the Dutch NationalBank upgraded 100 M1910 pistols to M1922's.
Greece: The Greeks purchased 9,980 M1922 pistols chambered for 9mm Browning Shortin 1926. This was the official sidearm of the Greek Army and AirForce from 1926 to 1941. The order was delivered between 1926 and1929. | Publications, Greensboro, North Carolina, 2001: Page143 |
Publications, Greensboro, North Carolina, 2001: Page144 | Turkey: Continuing an Ottoman tradition of FN patronage (Ottoman police were armedwith FN Model 1903 pistols), the newly formed Turkish Republic purchasedM1922 pistols for the Turkish Army. Three contract variations havebeen noted, although it is possible that more may surface.
Variant 3: Marked 'Subaylara Mahsustur' (Property of Officer of the Armed Forces) |
Romania: The Romanian contract pistols were shipped from FN in September 1935, andwere marked with the crest of the Ministry of the Interior, indicatingissuance to a law enforcement agency. These pistols were orderedthrough the FN dealer and distributor in Bucharest, B.D. Zissu. | Publications, Greensboro, North Carolina, 2001: Page145 |
Publications, Greensboro, North Carolina, 2001: Page146 | FrenchNavy: Ordered in approximately 1932,these 7.65mm pistols are often mistaken for postwar guns. Carefulexamination notes several pre-war features (17 as opposed to 16 cockingserrations, horn grips, differing slide legends). Ordered with typicalFrench cost saving features such as black enamel finish and unfluted slidecap, the guns were refinished by the French after the war with a green/grayparkerizing over the original remaining finish. |
DanishPolice: Denmark ordered 3,000 7.65mmM1922 pistols for the Danish Federal Police in the 1930's. | Publications, Greensboro, North Carolina, 2001: Page149 |
Publications, Greensboro, North Carolina, 2001: Page156 | NaziOccupation Pistols: The M1922 hasthe dubious distinction of being produced in larger numbers than any otherfirearm at the FN plant during the Nazi occupation. The German designationsfor the M1922 were Pistole 626(b) for the 7.65mm version and Pistole 641(b)for the 9mm Short version. M1922's found their way to all cornersof the German government and military as officer's and official's sidearms. The primary user of the M1922, however was the Luftwaffe. Interestingly,the M1922 was also offered as a commercial pistol up to 1942, being soldmostly as sidearms for war factory security personnel and police. M1922's accepted by the German military show one of three Army WeaponsOffice inspectors markings (Waffenamt stampings). |
- WaA613: This stamping was used from May 1940 until early 1941, and is found onsome 6,300 M1922's made prior to the invasion or assembled from parts madeprior to the invasion. They may or may not contain parts made duringthe occupation.
- 9mm Short, partof 1940 Dutch Order - Serial Range 63,000 - 77,000
- 9mm Short or 7.65mm,FN Commercial Production - Serial Range 288,000 - 289,000
- 7.65mm, prewarparts - Serial Range 20,000 - 23,000
- WaA103: This stamping was used from early to later 1941, and is found only on the36,000 7.65mm pistols within the 24,000 to 60,000 serial number range. They are usually found with some pre-invasion parts and retain prewar commercialquality standards.
- WaA140: This stamping was used from late 1941 to the liberation in 1944 on approximately325,000 7.65mm pistols. Serialization began in the 67,000 - 68,000range and proceeded to approximately serial number 155,000. In late1943 serialization was restarted using the German military system. In this system serial numbers were limited to five digits with a one lettersuffix. The letter indicated a block of 100,000 pistols. (Example: A pistol with the serial number 34554b is actually the 234,554th pistolproduced - the first block of 100,000 had no suffix, pistols 100,000 -199,999 were suffixed with an a, and pistols 200,000 through 299,999were suffixed with a b.) In 1944, serial number markings weresimplified with the full serial number appearing only on the slide, withthe last four digits appearing on the frame.
Post-LiberationM1922's: With the liberation ofLiege in late 1944, what was left of the original factory staff returnedand restarted production. The M1922 was one of the first productsto come off the lines of the liberated factory. Most of these pistolswere for military or government contracts. These pistols were builtwith at least some parts made during the occupation, and were so notedby having their serial numbers prefixed with the letter 'A.' Finish on the A-prefix pistols was either a matte bluing or black enamel. These pistols were purchased by the French military and police, the Belgianmilitary, the Dutch military and Department of Finance, and the securitypersonnel of the Netherlands Steamship Corporation. | Publications, Greensboro, North Carolina, 2001: Page157 |
PostwarContracts: After the war, the M1922found extensive use with West German police agencies and the French government. The M1922 was used by the French Army up to 1957, by French Customs to1983, by forestry agents until the late 1980's, and by the Parisian policeup to at least the 1970's.
CONCLUSION
The M1922is often overlooked by American collectors for any number of reasons; itwasn't offered in a 'major' caliber, it wasn't an 'official' military sidearmof any of the major combatants in World War Two, it was little morethan an upsized pocket pistol. This lack of interest belies the historicalsignificance of this pistol. With its older brother, the M1910, theM1922 was THE European sidearm of the interwar years, and the gunresponsible for the word 'Browning' continuing to be synonymous with 'automaticpistol.' Moreover, its design, while elegantly simple, wasinnovative, reliable, and effective. M1922's can be found on theUS collector market for surprisingly low prices, and in surprisingly goodcondition. For the collector of European pistols or, for that matter,the Cruffler, the M1922 is a piece of history that should not be missed.
The M1922is often overlooked by American collectors for any number of reasons; itwasn't offered in a 'major' caliber, it wasn't an 'official' military sidearmof any of the major combatants in World War Two, it was little morethan an upsized pocket pistol. This lack of interest belies the historicalsignificance of this pistol. With its older brother, the M1910, theM1922 was THE European sidearm of the interwar years, and the gunresponsible for the word 'Browning' continuing to be synonymous with 'automaticpistol.' Moreover, its design, while elegantly simple, wasinnovative, reliable, and effective. M1922's can be found on theUS collector market for surprisingly low prices, and in surprisingly goodcondition. For the collector of European pistols or, for that matter,the Cruffler, the M1922 is a piece of history that should not be missed.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Vanderlinden,Anthony,The Belgian Browning Pistols: 1889 - 1949, (Wet Dog Publications,Greensboro, North Carolina: 2001) Ansible generate random string.
The BelgianBrowning Pistols: 1889 - 1949 is available from Wet Dog Publications. Click on the image to order:
Fn 1910 Serial Number Lookup
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From its inception prior to the turn of the 20th Century, Fabrique Nationale of Belgium had become a significant supplier of small arms to Serbia. By the eve of the Balkan Wars (1912-1913) and WWI, the most common officer-issued sidearm for the Serbian Army was the Browning FN Model 1910 in 9m/m kurz in (.380 acp).
One pistol in particular - it was the infamous FN M1910 with serial number 19074 which was allegedly used by the Young Bosnian member, Gavrilo Princip, to assassinate Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria in Sarajevo in June 1914. This event is most commonly cited as the tipping point to roll the world into the chasm of The Great War.
Two good reference links:
http://www.cruffler.com/historic-may01.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FN_Model_1910
Of course, the best Fabrique Nationale pistol reference is the book by Anthony Vanderlinden, FN Browning Pistols, Side-Arms that Shaped World History.
http://www.fn-browning.com/new_page_1.htm
Through the two Balkan Wars and WWI, the number of FN sidearms were greatly depleted in Serbia. And in the early 1920's the newly formed conglomerate country of Yugoslavia (Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes) sought to re-outfit its army, but with a more significant pistol in terms of barrel length and capacity. Fabrique Nationale was again chosen to be the producer.
To defer the cost of retooling for a new gun design, the Browning FN M1910 in 9m/m kurz was chosen as the base. As with the original M1910 design, the blowback/striker-fired pistol would employ three safety mechanisms - grip, thumb and released magazine.
The major changes were:
1. The barrel was lengthened from 88mm to 113mm, which required the introduction of an interlocking extension collar to the front of the main slide. This provided for a greater sight radius.
2. The grip frame and magazine were extended to allow for an eight vs. six round capacity.
3. A lanyard ring was also added to the lower left rear frame.
The upgrades were finalized in 1922 and the new pistol design became known as the FN Model 1910/22, also referred to as the FN M1922 or FN1922. In early 1923, Yugoslavia contracted for 60,000 units, with the final orders being filled into the late 1930's.
Wikipedia file photo of FN Model 1910
Yugoslavian Contract FN Model 1922
The relatively simple and reliable design of the M1922 became a great selling tool for Fabrique Nationale. It was offered in 9m/m kurz (9mm short, 9 X 17mm Browning, .380 acp) or in 7.65m/m (7.65 X 17mm Browning, .32 acp). The model began to spread throughout Europe in the 1920's and 1930's, with military, police, private security and commercial contracts going out to Holland, Turkey, Greece, France, Romania, Finland and Denmark. During war-time occupation of Belgium, Germany produced more M1922 pistols than any other model at FN (1940 - 1944). And post-war contracts continued up through the early 1980's to countries such as West Germany and France.
Fabrique Nationale pistols were once again depleted from the Balkan Region during the occupation of Yugoslavia in WWII, with a large percentage of them being pressed into German service. Other country's contract versions of the FN 1922, as well as those produced under Nazi occupation at the FN factory, were already popular with German officers, and the Luftwaffe in particular.
Today's featured pistol is the most commonly seen version of the Yugoslavian Contract FN M1922, and has the Serbian Cyrillic stamp on the right side slide of Војно државни, for Army (or Military) State. Another version is rarely encountered and is stamped as официрски, for Officer's issue (not pictured). The Yugoslavian crest is stamped into the top forward area of the main slide.
Following WWII, a great many FN pistols came to the US with our returning service members. The Yugoslavian Contract pistols were among them. They are not rare in the States, but are less commonly encountered than those FN1922 pistols of other major contract countries.
My example is in pretty decent overall shape at 90-plus % of finish, with light freckling and grip thinning, some minor edge/holster wear, and minor scattered pitting on top of the slide. The signature rust bluing on these FN 1922 pistols is very attractive, and the same specimen can range in appearance from a near royal blue in natural light, to a dark slate gray in artificial or low light.
Interesting to note that the two-line left side slide is stamped with 'FABRIQUE NATIONALE D'ARMES DE GUERRE S.A. HERSTAL BELGIQUE' and 'BROWNING'S PATENT DEPOSE'. All of my later slides from other M1922 contracts are marked similar, but absent of the 'S.A.' (for Société Anonyme or Incorporate Company) which precedes the Herstal Belgique.
The Lion over P.V stamp is the nitro powder proof, and the Star over Y stamp identifies the proof controller, Chesnoy Léon.
Belgian Proof Mark reference: http://damascus-barrels.com/Belgian_All_Proofmarks.html
The Yugoslavian Contract specimen is fitted with the pressed horn grips with the intertwined FN logo. Other contract examples may be found with formed plastic grips, or flat wooden checkered grips (Nazi occupation). My grips show moderate wear, with a few chips and scratches. A single magazine came with the gun, and has the proper oval-FN and 9m/m caliber (.380 acp) stamps.
Matching numbers are found on the right frame, slide and slide extension collar. Another serial is stamped on the underside of the main slide. Disassembly is required to view the matching barrel number.
The 9m/m caliber and Belgian nitro and black powder proof stamps can be viewed on the barrel through the slide ejection port. Crowns over K and B inspection marks are found on the left front trigger guard, with C/K appearing again on the underside of the slide. An A/S (inspector?) stamp appears on the right trigger guard
And perhaps a returning GI or subsequent U.S. owner, McNeil, scratched his name on the right side trigger.
The holster appears as the post-war Belgian Police style for the FN M1922. Imprints on the inside leather from the pistol backstrap and lanyard ring suggest the two items have been together for a while. It is difficult to read the ink stamp for the maker and date on the inside body - 1957? 67? 87?
In conclusion, the FN Model 1922 became one of the most prolifically distributed military, police and security pistol models of its time. Its inter-war and war-time popularity were reflections of its simple operation, maintenance, and reliable design. As a bonus, it is one fine looking piece.
The model is gaining recognition and popularity among today's collectors, but it is still one of the most attainable and affordable items on the historic pistol market. Anyone with an interest in twentieth century European sidearms should consider an FN M1922 as an important slot to fill in the collection.
And as always, thanks for looking and listening.
-Matt Martin
One pistol in particular - it was the infamous FN M1910 with serial number 19074 which was allegedly used by the Young Bosnian member, Gavrilo Princip, to assassinate Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria in Sarajevo in June 1914. This event is most commonly cited as the tipping point to roll the world into the chasm of The Great War.
Two good reference links:
http://www.cruffler.com/historic-may01.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FN_Model_1910
Of course, the best Fabrique Nationale pistol reference is the book by Anthony Vanderlinden, FN Browning Pistols, Side-Arms that Shaped World History.
http://www.fn-browning.com/new_page_1.htm
Through the two Balkan Wars and WWI, the number of FN sidearms were greatly depleted in Serbia. And in the early 1920's the newly formed conglomerate country of Yugoslavia (Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes) sought to re-outfit its army, but with a more significant pistol in terms of barrel length and capacity. Fabrique Nationale was again chosen to be the producer.
To defer the cost of retooling for a new gun design, the Browning FN M1910 in 9m/m kurz was chosen as the base. As with the original M1910 design, the blowback/striker-fired pistol would employ three safety mechanisms - grip, thumb and released magazine.
The major changes were:
1. The barrel was lengthened from 88mm to 113mm, which required the introduction of an interlocking extension collar to the front of the main slide. This provided for a greater sight radius.
2. The grip frame and magazine were extended to allow for an eight vs. six round capacity.
3. A lanyard ring was also added to the lower left rear frame.
The upgrades were finalized in 1922 and the new pistol design became known as the FN Model 1910/22, also referred to as the FN M1922 or FN1922. In early 1923, Yugoslavia contracted for 60,000 units, with the final orders being filled into the late 1930's.
Wikipedia file photo of FN Model 1910
Yugoslavian Contract FN Model 1922
The relatively simple and reliable design of the M1922 became a great selling tool for Fabrique Nationale. It was offered in 9m/m kurz (9mm short, 9 X 17mm Browning, .380 acp) or in 7.65m/m (7.65 X 17mm Browning, .32 acp). The model began to spread throughout Europe in the 1920's and 1930's, with military, police, private security and commercial contracts going out to Holland, Turkey, Greece, France, Romania, Finland and Denmark. During war-time occupation of Belgium, Germany produced more M1922 pistols than any other model at FN (1940 - 1944). And post-war contracts continued up through the early 1980's to countries such as West Germany and France.
Fabrique Nationale pistols were once again depleted from the Balkan Region during the occupation of Yugoslavia in WWII, with a large percentage of them being pressed into German service. Other country's contract versions of the FN 1922, as well as those produced under Nazi occupation at the FN factory, were already popular with German officers, and the Luftwaffe in particular.
Today's featured pistol is the most commonly seen version of the Yugoslavian Contract FN M1922, and has the Serbian Cyrillic stamp on the right side slide of Војно државни, for Army (or Military) State. Another version is rarely encountered and is stamped as официрски, for Officer's issue (not pictured). The Yugoslavian crest is stamped into the top forward area of the main slide.
Following WWII, a great many FN pistols came to the US with our returning service members. The Yugoslavian Contract pistols were among them. They are not rare in the States, but are less commonly encountered than those FN1922 pistols of other major contract countries.
My example is in pretty decent overall shape at 90-plus % of finish, with light freckling and grip thinning, some minor edge/holster wear, and minor scattered pitting on top of the slide. The signature rust bluing on these FN 1922 pistols is very attractive, and the same specimen can range in appearance from a near royal blue in natural light, to a dark slate gray in artificial or low light.
Interesting to note that the two-line left side slide is stamped with 'FABRIQUE NATIONALE D'ARMES DE GUERRE S.A. HERSTAL BELGIQUE' and 'BROWNING'S PATENT DEPOSE'. All of my later slides from other M1922 contracts are marked similar, but absent of the 'S.A.' (for Société Anonyme or Incorporate Company) which precedes the Herstal Belgique.
The Lion over P.V stamp is the nitro powder proof, and the Star over Y stamp identifies the proof controller, Chesnoy Léon.
Belgian Proof Mark reference: http://damascus-barrels.com/Belgian_All_Proofmarks.html
The Yugoslavian Contract specimen is fitted with the pressed horn grips with the intertwined FN logo. Other contract examples may be found with formed plastic grips, or flat wooden checkered grips (Nazi occupation). My grips show moderate wear, with a few chips and scratches. A single magazine came with the gun, and has the proper oval-FN and 9m/m caliber (.380 acp) stamps.
Matching numbers are found on the right frame, slide and slide extension collar. Another serial is stamped on the underside of the main slide. Disassembly is required to view the matching barrel number.
The 9m/m caliber and Belgian nitro and black powder proof stamps can be viewed on the barrel through the slide ejection port. Crowns over K and B inspection marks are found on the left front trigger guard, with C/K appearing again on the underside of the slide. An A/S (inspector?) stamp appears on the right trigger guard
And perhaps a returning GI or subsequent U.S. owner, McNeil, scratched his name on the right side trigger.
The holster appears as the post-war Belgian Police style for the FN M1922. Imprints on the inside leather from the pistol backstrap and lanyard ring suggest the two items have been together for a while. It is difficult to read the ink stamp for the maker and date on the inside body - 1957? 67? 87?
In conclusion, the FN Model 1922 became one of the most prolifically distributed military, police and security pistol models of its time. Its inter-war and war-time popularity were reflections of its simple operation, maintenance, and reliable design. As a bonus, it is one fine looking piece.
The model is gaining recognition and popularity among today's collectors, but it is still one of the most attainable and affordable items on the historic pistol market. Anyone with an interest in twentieth century European sidearms should consider an FN M1922 as an important slot to fill in the collection.
And as always, thanks for looking and listening.
-Matt Martin