[caroeber]

Hello all,
I am glad to find you and would like to offer to the list my 1905.
SN 685902
and matches on the frame, slide and barrel, it has the 2nd style safety, flanged trigger, no marks on the barrel other than the serial number and prof marks shown here:
http://www.gunvaluesboard.com/fn-baby-browning-manufacture-date-and-value.-23237728.html#232860

 

[Humble Pie]

Hi Alex, glad you found this thread and thank you for sharing the information about your FN! Although I appreciate all contributions, data about guns such as yours showing a proof year is especially valuable because it serves - however tentatively - to relate serial numbers to actual dates. Very welcome information.

 

[Henri]

This subject caused me to dig my 1906 out. Serial 8912XX, second model safety, flanged trigger . Surrendered late 1944 southern Germany. Came with holster and extra FN marked magazine. Do you have an idea when this Browning was manufactured? Thanks Henri

 

[ab7wh]

I just acquired SN 1086296 with 2nd style safety and flanged trigger. Looks like a "M" or "2N" on the top right trigger guard bow. It came equipped with repro' FN grips by Franzite, probably a 1960's or 70's replacement?

 

[Humble Pie]

I just acquired SN 1086296 with 2nd style safety and flanged trigger. Looks like a "M" or "2N" on the top right trigger guard bow. It came equipped with repro' FN grips by Franzite, probably a 1960's or 70's replacement?

Bruce, thanks very much for the new serial number, much appreciated. I saw this gun up for auction but the seller had x'ed out the last digits of the serial number and had only a single, left side photo of poor quality. I did notice (because of the escutcheon) that the grips did not appear original. It's nice to have confirmation.

This gun is of particular interest to me because it has the highest serial number I have yet observed on any FN 1905 pistol - by more than 2000 numbers. It is noteworthy that in his book FN Browning Pistols, Anthony Vanderlinden states that the highest recorded serial number for this model is 1311256. I find this intriguing, as I have observed hundreds of serial numbers for these pistols (dozens of which are not yet recorded in the list on page 1) and have yet to see one in the 1,087,000 range or higher. Vanderlinden does say there are "large gaps" at the end of production, but even so, those last pistols must be very few and far between if years of my diligent searching have not turned up single one.

Even with the repro grips, I think you did well. From what I could see in the seller's photo, the condition looked nice. Is there any chance you could post photographs of this gun? Given its significance as the highest serial numbered 1905 I have personally confirmed, it would be great to have a photographic record of it for reference.

 

[Greg G]

Bob,
Here is my 1905 for your list, no pics:

788369 – 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] style safety, flanged trigger, Czech proofed 8805.26

 

[ab7wh]

Bob,
Thanks for the reply. I'll try to get you photos when my wife gets back into town (she's the computer literate one here!). It is in about 95% condition with an original FN mag and an aftermarket mag with folded bottom tabs (French?). Any idea where I might find correct original grips? Any idea of the DOB?
Bruce

 

[CJS57]

Pictures: 341752 - 2nd style safety, flanged trigger, engraved with gold inlay on blue finish. The embellishment is not a known factory pattern but appears period. Pearl grips appear factory original. Magazine is a modern replacement. Right side of slide is marked through the blue "Manufacture Francaise d'Armes & Cycles de Saint-Etienne", and the engraving and inlay work is laid out to frame this inscription.

 

[Humble Pie]

Greg, thanks so much for the new serial number. Fantastic to have another gun with a dated proof!

Bruce, fortunately original FN 1905 grips are quite easy to find. However, it should be noted that the grips observed on the last FN pistols are different from the earlier ones in that they are made from a synthetic material whereas the earlier ones were pressed horn. The appearance is definitely different. If you look photos of the earlier and later pistols enough, the contrast jumps right out at you, the most visible distinction being the "weight" of the FN logo: on the late synthetic grips, the "FN" letters are much thinner and more delicate-looking than the heavier, earlier lettering. Also, the synthetic grips are much shinier and the contours of the molded border around the grip screw head and escutcheon are subtly different from the earlier horn grips. These are the differences that will be apparent when viewing the grips mounted to the pistol. If one has the opportunity to examine the grips removed from the gun, the synthetic grips can be immediately and positively identified because of the large, oval pocket that is molded into the backside.

I just searched Gunbroker and coincidentally, there is a set of original, late-style synthetic FN grips that I believe would be correct for your gun. They are quite expensive, and I certainly am not suggesting you purchase them. (Personally, I never replace anything on a gun, and that even includes replacing repro parts with original. But I am a hardcore ideologue when it comes to the issue of "messing with" guns, even those alterations that may seem to "improve" the gun by making it closer to being all-original. In my opinion, once an original part has been permanently separated from the gun with no hope of reunion, the best that can be done is carefully to preserve the gun in whatever condition/state of originality it was acquired. No desire to preach, just stating my own position on the issue.)

Regarding date of birth - that is one of most interesting questions about these late guns. On page 193 of his book, Vanderlinden lists a cluster of 1905s in the late 1,083,000 to early 1,084,000 range as being shipped to an FN agent in Milan during the German occupation in 1940. This the last solid information of any kind that I have heard regarding the association of dates with serial numbers.

Chris - you must be proud indeed to be the owner of No. 341752 (I'm assuming it's yours?). I watched that auction with great interest. If you have any corrections to make to my description (or anything to add), please don't hesitate. Thanks for the photos, that piece is a beauty! Probably a display piece commissioned by the distributor whose marking is on the right side? What are your thoughts?

 

[ab7wh]

Bob,
Thanks for the information and opinion re the grips...definitely "food for thought"! One thing I noticed about this 1905 is that the degree of polish is not quite up to the level of pre-war 1910's and 1922's; more similar to an early-occupation 1910 and immediate post-war 1922 I have.
Bruce

 

[danyellw]

Just picked up my 1905 a couple of days ago. SN 666501. 2nd style safety and flanged trigger. Came with a handmade case with whoever brought it back from WWII. No proofs/caliber marking visible through ejection port. Thanks for all of your information. Is there anywhere I can get a rough idea of DOB?

 

[Humble Pie]

Hi Dan,

Many thanks for sharing photos of your FN 1905! Fascinating little pouch.

As far as date of birth, the best I am ever able to do is crudely interpolate based on the serial numbers of examples that have dated proofs (and even this method requires assuming that the proofs were applied close to the date of manufacture). This process can be easier or harder depending on what, if any, recorded examples occur within reasonable proximity to the pistol in question. In the case of your gun, the only "useful" landmark I see in the list is pistol no. 685902, which bears a Czech proof 2588.24. I would hypothesize that your gun was made sometime in 1924 or perhaps 1923.

As you can see, short of lucking onto some hard information like a sales receipt or original factory records (which I am unaware of), putting a date on these guns can be a very frustrating and unrewarding endeavor. Please keep an eye out for any other examples to add to the list. The info in always appreciated.

 

[Connie]

My father brought this one back from Belgium after recovering from wounds received at the Battle of the Bulge.

 

[Humble Pie]

Connie, thanks for the photos of this great old FN. A nice early gun (and the serial number is a palindrome to boot!). Is it okay with you if I add it to my list on page 1?

 

[Connie]

Please do add it to your list. Any thoughts on dating the gun?

 

[maverikc]

This is a Browning FN 1905 Serial number 1001386. Not sure when it was made but I think sometime in the 1930s. (?)

Gun was obtained by my father in Italy in 1944-45 from a KIA German soldier. My father was a 2LT in the Army of the US. Holster is leather and is engraved with the word "England". I recently had a gunsmith fix the magazine and slide and the gun shoots, not very accurately, but it shoots.

Thanks for this site. very interesting!

 

[Humble Pie]

Connie, sorry for the delayed reply and thanks again for the serial number; I updated the list on page 1.

Regarding the date of manufacture - I would hazard a guess at early 1907 but please understand this is based on nothing more than rough interpolation between two known production data points: the beginning of sales in July 1906 and the shipping of pistol no. 183626 in July 1909 (both pieces of information come from FN Browning Pistols: Sidearms that Shaped World History by Anthony Vanderlinden). My interpolation is not strictly linear because I am guessing that production accelerated to meet increased demand as popularity spiked after the model's introduction. Again, I must stress this is nothing more than conjecture.

Kevin, thanks for sharing your 1905 and the story of its acquistion. The holster is particularly interesting; to your knowledge has it accompanied the pistol since 1944-45?

 

[maverikc]

Yes,

To the best of my knowledge, this pistol came back to the usa in this holster.

Any idea on the date of manufacture based on the seril#?

Kevin

 

[rolandtg]

Here's one more. I have no idea of the history. It was "personalized" by someone. The grips are repops. Date of manufacture?

 

[Rina]

Good day, could some one please advise me, I would like to find out more about my FN Browning. ?? Year of manufacture. The serial number is 837267. Thank you