[Guest]

Has anyone seen a Finnish pistol with the slide inscription FN-BELGIQUE over the letters OW? This is in place of the standard Fabrique Nationale D'armes De Guerre Herstal Belgique over Browning's Patent Depose.

I purchased the pistol 20 plus years ago and inquired about the marking to the FN factory through the BCA. The letter I received in 1982 stated the pistol, serial number 268,xxx was shipped to either the Finnish government 16 Jan 1940 or the Italian general agent on 25 Jan 1940. I'd just like to know if its Finnish or Italian.

Photo enclosed.

Thanks
Kevin

Download Attachment: Finnish.jpg
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[tomknoxjr]

Seasons' Greetings Kevin,

I have a friend in Finland who just happens to be an FN collector. I've asked him about this pistol and he's asked me to find out whether it is a M1910 or an M1910/22. Do you know? If not, do you have better photos?

His initial thoughts are that these are post-War markings and are in no way Finnish. However, this definitely contradicts the letter you received from FN.

When I get your answers, I'll follow up with him and find out as much as I can for you.

Tom Jr.

 

[Dgiz]

Hi Tom,
Great to see you on the forum! I hope you are going to share some info and photos of your Finnish pistols with us!
Happy Holidays!
Dean Gizzi

 

[Guest]

Tom Jr.

Sorry for the late response. Relatives in for the holidays.

Its a 10/22 or the 1922 and not the 1910.

Kevin

 

[FNitis]

Please contact me with serial data and I can look at the records if Tom Sr. has not already asked me about it. I would like to see the rest of the pistol including grips and small markings. I have seen a picture of something similar, maybe it was jours. At first sight the marking does look postwar but I would like to look it up.

 

[Guest]

Here is a better photo. Sorry it took me so long to reply. Work has been hetic.

Kevin

Download Attachment: 268695.jpg
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[tomknoxjr]

Greetings Gang,

My contact in Finland who is not only a student of Finnish arms, but a specialist in the area of FNs gave me this information:

"I looked the photo you sent and I am 100% sure this gun is post war. It has old grip plates but markings are not pre-1945."

"It looks as though it may be re-blued, the front sight is not original-style and same for whole slide-extension."

"I have one 268xxx and one 269XXX pistols that are Finnish military. No SA-markings but 100% army pistols. I have seen maybe 100 of this 268xxx-270xxx serial range here [in Finland] and they all look different than this one."

I'll ask if he has any speculation on what it might be . . .

Sorry to disappoint, but my cool SY marked Nagant Revolver turned out to be just serial number translations by importers, so I know the feeling.

Happy Hunting!

Thompson

 

[FNitis]

I can tell you for certain if it is prewar or not if you describe the mashinists markings/proofs (not Liege proofs). Indeed the slide legend is not known so it is impossible to determine for certain that it is postwar, especially with that serial number which is a prewar number. I can not see much detail in the photograph you posted. Have you ever measured and compared the slide to see if it was remarked?
I have seen remarked slides which were very well done.
Anthony Vanderlinden