Taking advantage of advantages. FN 1900; A curious relic.

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ApacheCoTodd

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Figure I'm in a position to go on a bit of a spree while the spreeing is good.

First is this FN 1900. So, why this one?

If one conjoins it with the Browning 1899 they represent John Browning's first successful semi-auto which is also to say; the first production pistol with a slide.

Milestone, that!

Also, I am a huge, unrepentant fan of .32ACP as it's done so right by me in the past.

Then, there are the interesting design touches like the *Your gun's not cocked, DUMMY!" flag forward of the rear sight in the third photo. Weird to be sure but cute.

Next, near and dear to my heart - it has a lanyard loop. Sure, I'm not gonna dummy-cord it to me but I always like the level of intended use that they speak to.

Then, how about that slide configuration with the barrel on the bottom? Show's the "low-axis" nazis that there's nothing new under the sun.:neener:

Yes, I do see what I did there.;)

Shooting? It's a HOOT! Small as it presents, it fills my large palm nicely. The trigger action is outstanding and you seem to really note the low barrel. Sights are a struggle in all but perfect light but these days, I'm usually shooting plates in the desert anyhow.

One thing interesting about that low-axis. With some ammunitions and the ejection port being directly over my trigger-finger knuckle - they can all but skim off if I'm rotated high.
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Todd.
 
I got mine because I thought it had a funky steampunk sort of look. Between the rear hump, and the under-barrel.

Turns out FN presented then president Theodore Roosevelt with a custom engraved FN-1900, which he pocket carried everywhere, and used as a night-stand gun.

To this day, it's kind of useful, if you are looking for a flat CC pistol. Thing can't be much more than 5/8" wide.
 
This is an excellent choice, ApacheCo Todd. It's a wonderfully clever design. The way the recoil spring is also used as the striker spring is just terrific, IMO. Sure, it's funny looking to our eyes now, and we've learned a lot about ergonomics and good sight design in the past 120 years, but it's still a good gun. So much of what Browning did was like that. And the fact that we are stilling having arguments about what variety of the ammunition introduced for this pistol is best for every-day-carry shows how good that aspect of it was.
 
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So much of what Browning did was like that. And the fact that we are stilling having arguments about what variety of the ammunition introduced for this pistol is best for every-day-carry shows how good that aspect of it was.

I was thinking quite the same thing yesterday reading Picher crowing (in a wonderful way:thumbup:) about his Remington 1911 and how truly incredible it is that that platform is going through an astounding resurgence across the manufacturing spectrum on par with the Stoner platform in long guns.

After having its obituary read SO many times by the techno-wonks.:neener:

Such is the way in which genius will shine through LOOOOOOONG after one's passing.

And therein, as you note, is why I've chosen this one first. What and who it represents in a glorious way.

A pal was over last night and it was that gun out of all sitting out that was the center of conversation. Important design, that.

Todd.
 
Todd,

I would buy that particular gun, but only because it looks to be in very good condition and I would want to shoot it.

It is a brilliant design, but only 3 years later, BROWNING had designed the so much nicer COLT 1903 Pocket Hammerless which I still like as a range gun and would consider as a house gun. They are a much sleeker and smoother design.
A decade later, he produced the even better, from a concealed carry viewpoint FN 1910, which was the first real pocket auto, in my opinion. I know that COLT and FN preceded the 1910 with the .25ACP vest pocket pistol, but it was the 1910 that reached both the pocket carry size, firepower, weight, reliability and configuration (nothing, not even the sights would catch during a draw) threshold first.

The .25ACP pistols were very nice guns, but with much less power than needed and the COLT 1903 and later 1908 Pocket Hammerless pistols were to large for almost any pocket and to heavy as well.

Enjoy it.

Jim
 
...and I would want to shoot it.

It is a brilliant design, but only 3 years later, BROWNING had designed the so much nicer COLT 1903 Pocket Hammerless which I still like as a range gun and would consider as a house gun. They are a much sleeker and smoother design.
A decade later, he produced the even better, from a concealed carry viewpoint FN 1910, which was the first real pocket auto, in my opinion. I know that COLT and FN preceded the 1910 with the .25ACP vest pocket pistol, but it was the 1910 that reached both the pocket carry size, firepower, weight, reliability and configuration (nothing, not even the sights would catch during a draw) threshold first.

The .25ACP pistols were very nice guns, but with much less power than needed and the COLT 1903 and later 1908 Pocket Hammerless pistols were to large for almost any pocket and to heavy as well.

Enjoy it.

Jim
Indeed. I've been dragging out and comparing my early-century .32s and find them quite captivating when taken on the whole as a slide-show of firearms development forced through the lens of a single caliber and, for the most part, a single market usage intent.
Walking through these starting with the FN, on through the Colt, Savage, etc... and reinvestigating their histories has been fun.
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Todd.
 
Todd

Love your Wheel O' .32! You've got a very nice representation of some all-time classic "pocket pistols"! My brother also collects the same type and has some nice ones as well, including a very mint, nickel plated Colt Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless with factory pearl grips! A real beauty that's for sure! It also came with a vintage Audley pocket holster that's pretty cool in its own right.
 
Todd

Love your Wheel O' .32! You've got a very nice representation of some all-time classic "pocket pistols"! My brother also collects the same type and has some nice ones as well, including a very mint, nickel plated Colt Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless with factory pearl grips! A real beauty that's for sure! It also came with a vintage Audley pocket holster that's pretty cool in its own right.
I had no intention of having a *collection* until I pulled them out with a friend to look at a couple.

I guess in backhanded ways are obsessions made.;)

Nickel, pearl and vintage holster? That'd be one we'all would love to see if you can ever grab a picture of it. Sounds like an important loaner for a book too. I'd likely pop for a letter on that one - you know - just in case. Might have been shipped to someone of note.

Todd.
 
Todd,

That is a very nice collection. I hope you get to enjoy shooting them as often as possible.

Jim

p.s.---you really need an FN 1910 or BROWNING 1955 (same gun).
 
Todd,

That is a very nice collection. I hope you get to enjoy shooting them as often as possible.

Jim

p.s.---you really need an FN 1910 or BROWNING 1955 (same gun).
I truly do get a kick out of shooting .32s whether ACP or the various revolver rounds. Lots of fun to move little iron caltrops around the desert with. Sit in a chair, fire nearby and pop away at the iron.

Todd.
 
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