New pawn shop find

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Are there any markings on it?

That appears to be a WWI-II era Fabrique National (FN) model 1910 in a small caliber such as 7.65mm and 9mm short. Worth $125-$500 depending on condition and other factors according to my Catalog of Military Firearms 5th Ed. From the concealed hammer, and trigger, it appears SAO. Made from 1912-1954.
 
I had the Browning labeled version of the 1910. Mine was made in the early 1950s and was in like new condition. Every time I took it out I was reminded of the high level of craftsmanship that went into making this pistol so many years ago. One of the all-time classic pocket pistols.
 
Another picture

Here is another look. The article in the newest American Rifleman turned me onto this historic, Browning-designed gun. I remembered seeing this one in the case a one of my local haunts. Went for a close look at what was formerly a "gun I don't even want." Haha... That kept my offer low.

I did all of the research and returned to the shop... Confirmed some key features - like the lower case "de" in sans serif - took it apart... Virtually NO wear on the internals... Shiny, well defined bore... Bought it.

I spent more than a half hour figuring out how to put that sucker back together... Thank goodness for smart phones!

Thanks for the offer, but it cleaned it myself and I'm going to shoot it today... I just thought others might enjoy looking it up!
 

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It's a shame that modern gun laws have basically destroyed innovation for making guns.

Yes, these are great historical pieces.
 
leadcounsel said:
It's a shame that modern gun laws have basically destroyed innovation for making guns.

Yes, these are great historical pieces.
Click to expand...
I agree, the greatest innovations get slaughtered by Anti-gun laws.

Like the helical 100-rd mags of the Calico pistols & rifles...
they were in California when Kali got nutso against guns...so they moved to Oregon,
which this year enacted a bunch of Anti-Gun laws...which shut them down again.

Sad part is, I had spent a lot of time Emailing the company,
asking them to move to Pensacola, Florida when I heard they were looking for a new home...
but they choose Oregon instead...betcha Florida's looking mighty nice now ;)

However, it is unlikely they will be able to raise the capital to move so soon after
dumping their entire fortune into Oregon...so their only hope is that a rich gun guy
decides to buy them out, and move them to a Very Gun-Friendly state...like Florida :)
Might as well change the name too, as Calico is on the Anti's ban lists...

For those who don't know, the Pensacola, FL area has a HUGE amount of military retirees...
you know, those guys who know how to actually take Orders, who show up for work,
who put in for vacation 6 months in advance, who don't do drugs because they'd
rather spend it on guns & ammo & rods & reels (better stress relief anyway) :)
Smart man would build his biz in the nearby community of Pace or Milton, (Santa Rosa County)
where the taxes are really LOW (6%), there's no state income tax, and all the retiree's hang out.
(Fishing & Hunting are EXCELLENT there)
And since its on I-10, 3 major airports, and a railroad hub...shipping takes care of itself!!
 
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Took it to the range

Two hand hold, 7 shots, 7 yards. Smile on my face.
 

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CleanHarry

That's mighty decent shooting given that there's hardly anything on the top of a Model 1910's slide that might be called "sights". Found mine in the used gun case at my LGS for $300. No vinyl pouch or manual but the gun itself was like new with no visible signs that it had ever been fired. A beautifully made gun from another era.
 
Nobody asked how much

Funny that nobody asked how much I paid, usually it's asked within 3 or 4 posts!

Like you, I paid $300. I'm good with that.... They had it Cray Cray priced at $549!!! Ha!
 
My FIL had a very similar FN Model 1922 that he brought back from WW2. It has the Nazi stamped markings on it. Since he was in an antiaircraft battalion and this pistol was commonly issued to the Luftwaffe, I like to think he took it from a downed German pilot. He passed away a number of years back, so I never got to ask him the story behind it. :(
 
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