[bayoned]

Hi,

I just bought an FN manufactured Browning Model 1903, cal. 9mm Browning Long.
Serial number is 23940.

The right side of the slide is neatly stamped C.3.X.A. with the number 50 centered and stamped underneath it.
The "X" looks like it has reveresed bowed-legs-and-arms and has a slender line that runs straight up and down through the center of it.
The "A" has concve sides, a flat top, and the crossbar is very low at the bottom of the letter..
Sorry, my Cyrillic knowledge is scant.

The right triggerguard web has a C-in-square mark.
The left side of the slide has the FN legend and proof marks.

The finish is about 90% original blue, with no pitting.
The grips are not original, unfortunately, so I'm in the market for a set of FN grips.

The only reference I've found to the pistol is that the Russians purchased about 5M of these in 1904. However, I have no idea if this is correct.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I know about nothing, and I just bought it yesterday.

Regards, Ned

 

[Jan C Still]

Ned
Vanderlinden in his excellent book "The Belgiam Browning Pistols" describes the Imperial Russian purchases on page 108-109. He states that "Only three Russian contracts variations are known to exist."...."All Russian contract pistols were slotted to accept shoulder-stocks." Your description of your 1903 Browning does not match Vanderlindens' of the Russian contract pistols. It may be an unreported variation.

Photographs of your 1903 Browning would help.
Jan

 

[bayoned]

Jan

I've never had any luck posting pics on gunboards, so all my pics have always gone through some kind soul who would "fit" them and post them.

Where are the Russian variations slotted?
Backstrap? (there is no visible slot on the backstrap, like the Browning HP would have) I'll take the homemade grips off tonight, and see if there is anything underneath them.

I'd be glad to send some pics to you if you would be willing to post.

Regards, Ned

 

[Edward Tinker]

Ned, the trick is to make them under 200 kbs'

Here is a program that can help with that,

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx

See the "resizer" tool on the right,

Ed

 

[bayoned]

While I fool around and try out the "re-sizer" for my pics,
if you want to see two pics of the piece, look over at the "Military Handguns Forum" on the main body of "Gunboards".
My thread title is "Cyrillic marked FN 1903"
A fellow collector re-sized and posted two of them.

Regards, Ned

 

[bayoned]

Another collector , over on John Sheehan's "WWI" Gunboards forum just reported his Cyrillic marked FN '03.
It is serial number 24050, only 90 guns from mine.
His has the same Cyrillic slide stamping ""C.3.X.A". His number underneath that is 47.

His gun is not set up for a detachable stock either.

Looks like we might have Russian variation/contract No. 4.

Regards, Ned

 

[bayoned]

Ok, I can't count....it's 110 guns difference.

 

[FNitis]

Hello,

I would love to see a picture of this variant. If you can not post it, can you email it to me at [email protected]
Anthony Vanderlinden

 

[FNitis]

quote:Originally posted by Jan C Still

Ned
Vanderlinden in his excellent book "The Belgiam Browning Pistols" describes the Imperial Russian purchases on page 108-109. He states that "Only three Russian contracts variations are known to exist."...."All Russian contract pistols were slotted to accept shoulder-stocks." Your description of your 1903 Browning does not match Vanderlindens' of the Russian contract pistols. It may be an unreported variation.

Photographs of your 1903 Browning would help.
Jan

Thank you Jan for the reference!
Anthony Vanderlinden

 

[bayoned]

Hi Anthony,

There are two photos over on the mai body of Gunboards, on the "Military Handguns Forum". The thread is titled "Cyrillic marked FN 1903".
I have several other pics I can email.

There are no slots hidden under the grips for a detachable stock.

I'd be glad to email a couple more if you'd like.
BTW, I'm still looking for an original set of FN grips.

Regards, Ned

 

[bayoned]

Anthony, check your email. I sent a few more pics.
Ned

 

[Whale]

The letters probably stand for North West Rail Road. The gun was probably used as a sidearm for NWRR personnel.

 

[jasafn]

Another collector , over on John Sheehan's "WWI" Gunboards forum just reported his Cyrillic marked FN '03.
It is serial number 24050, only 90 guns from mine.
His has the same Cyrillic slide stamping ""C.3.X.A". His number underneath that is 47.

His gun is not set up for a detachable stock either.

Looks like we might have Russian variation/contract No. 4.

Regards, Ned

To correct an error. I bought this #24050 and the correct contract number is 79. I have seen also contract number 65. Any more of these?

 

[bayoned]

None that I know of. The exact gun I posted back in 2005 is now featured in Anthony's FN book.

 

[VAC]

Gentlemen , you confused me with that abbreviation .

You mean " С.З.Ж.Д " ? Then this means North Western Railway (Северо - Западная Железная Дорога).

I flipped through the entire book Anthony, and did not find the abbreviation "C.3.X.A.".


----
Vaclav

 

[jasafn]

VAC,
The pistol #24050 bears " С.З.Ж.Д ". And contract number is 79 not 47 .

 

[Anthony Vanderlinden]

VAC,
The pistol #24050 bears " С.З.Ж.Д ". And contract number is 79 not 47 .

Thanks Janne! Do you have the serial number for issue No.65? I do not know of any others...

Anthony

 

[jasafn]

#24308, I saw it about 15 years ago.