Help me ID this FN Belgium 1910, please

Tom A. · Aug 26, 2006

I have this inherited gun...Dad said it was a German officer's Mauser. I can find something similar on the web at http://www.panchogun.com/FVWebPhotos/FV-FN-1910-WW1-Assasin-Pistol-5x100px.jpg.

But, if you look at my photos, you'll see completely different markings. This is a .32 caliber.

The gun and the holster were traded by my dad for dental work. Gun's grips are heavily worn, probably by the German from whom it was taken. We've only shot this gun about six times.

Please help me ID the make, year, value, if possible.

This is my first post, so please forgive me if I'm in the wrong forum, violated any T&Cs, or otherwise goofed.

Thanks,

Tom A.

jacobtowne · Aug 26, 2006

It's a DWM (Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken, Berlin) copy of the Browning M1910.
Introduced in 1921, the wooden stocked pistol was the M22, black plastic the Model 23. Produced into the late 1920s, 40,000 or so.

Nice looking piece.
JT

Welcome to THR, by the way.

Tom A. · Aug 26, 2006

Thanks!

You've done more in 2 minutes than I've been able to do in two years!!! Wow! Thanks a bunch!

Tom A.

jacobtowne · Aug 26, 2006

You're welcome.
The ornate DWM logo is similar to the one the company used on P-08 Luger pistols.
The Crown/N is a German commercial nitro proof.
JT

Old Fuff · Aug 26, 2006

I'll just add that DWM was also a major producer of Mauser rifles and Luger pistols.

Tom A. · Aug 26, 2006

So, technically, do you call this a DWM, Browning, Mauser, or what? I'm a little confused.

And what is a "Nitro" mark?

...and here's a couple shots of the holster. Note the swastika under the bird.

Thanks again for the replies. This forum stuff is pretty cool!

Tom A.

Ron James · Aug 26, 2006

It is a Deusche Waffen pistol, it's not a Mauser nor is it a Browning. I believe it is a private purchase firearm or personal firearm. Production of this pistol ceased in 1931. I might be wrong but I don't believe that it was ever a issue pistol (It has no acceptance markings ). The holster is an issue item because it has the Army acceptance markings. I don't believe the holster was made for that pistol, it was added later, either during the war or after to make a better story.

Old Fuff · Aug 26, 2006

It was manufactured by, and sold under the DWM trademark, so it would be considered to be a DWM pistol. It is a close copy of a Browning pistol that was manufactured in Belgium By Fabrique Nationale. Everybody, but everybody copied Browning. Mauser also made pistols, but this wasn't one of them.

Nitro = smokeless powder. It means the pistol was proofed to us smoleless powder cartridges. The mark also shows that it was sold on the commercial market, rather then on a military contract. Probably the officer/owner purchased his own sidearm. The holster however is a military item. The stamp shows the particular contractor that made it. As German military sidearms go this one is relatively scarce.

jacobtowne · Aug 26, 2006

What's that WaffenAmt number on the holster? Or is it a letter and number? I can't read it from the photo, but if you can, I'll try to find the manufacturer.
JT

Tom A. · Aug 26, 2006

Kind of tough to read...one of the following:

WaAD28
WaA020
WaAO20

That is, the last digit is either a zero, capital o, or 8.

And the digit preceding the 2 is similarly a capital o or zero or D.

My guess is WaAD20.

Thanks.

jacobtowne · Aug 27, 2006

Struck out on this one. Four companies used the D20 Ordnance code; all were French and Spanish pistol makers.
920 is more interesting, since it was used by five German and Austrian holster makers.
JT

Help me ID this FN Belgium 1910, please

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