Browning 1910/1955 .380

Started WW I, well, the m1910 did. Don't know much about the 1910/1955. I guess it's the .380 version of the m1910?

SharpsDressedMan Anyone a fan, own one, or have something to say about them? I just got a great shooter from the gunshow, and it appears to be a fine pocket pistol, but I've never heard much about them. Let's change all that.

Click to expand...

The FN 1910 was the pistol used to assassinate Archduke Ferdinand and started WWI.

FN 1910 is virtually the same gun as the Browning 1955.

The difference is the roll markings. Browning Arms began importing FN firearms in the mid '50's and thought it would be better marketing to rename the 1910.

The 1910/55 was available in both .32 and .380

I picked one up about 10 years ago in 99% condition. It's one of the best .380s I have ever owned. They are historical classic performers in all respects. Very simple design.

Commemorative Arms is a good source of parts for them. One of the downsides of the little gun is its small sights. Post-1968 GCA, Browning offered a slide configuration for these guns that had much larger easily seen sights that make it a real tack driver. I have not seen these offered in a few years - but, Commemorative Arms did have a small supply of them at one time. I bought one right after I got my gun and had it professionally fitted to the frame and blued to match. It gives me two great options with it - although I generally keep the original slide on it for a more traditional look.

http://www.commemorativearms.com/380caliber.htm

You will definitely appreciate the gun the more you fire it.

Trivia: This particular model was one of John M Browning's favorite pistols in .32 ACP.

I hate to correct folks... The archduke was shot with a FN 1900 Browning. The 1910 was developed from the military model 1903 & 1907..

The 1910 is a great pocket pistol, but avoid +p ammo as the pistol was not designed for it.

Be safe: cool:

According to wikipedia, the FN m1900 was used to assassinate Nikolai Ivanovich Bobrikov and the m1910 was used to assassinate Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Further research shows you are correct . The reference book I used is old and wrong... My apologies .

Be safe

If you are buying a gun based on which foreigner was shot with it, your priorities are different from mine.

Look for the 1922/71. A longer barreled version of the 1910. 380, with thumb-rest grips and the adjustable sights of the Browning Hi-Power.

The Belgium production line was kept going through the 70's
and they made changes to import into the US after 68

pretty cool, and kinda unknown gun, with a lot of a few minor changes over the years.
had a number of 1910/22, want one in .32, never seem to find them, always in .380.

No sights to speak of but a very natural pointer. It has nothing to hang up very much dehorned. Accurate enough and with the grip safety can be carried chamber loaded IMHO. 1955 Browning .380 in the middle was a cop friends back up in the 60s thru 80s, he sold it to me in the 90s and departed the earth (RIP Tom) in the new milenium.

I found a minty one years ago at one of the local gunshops I frequent. I was amazed at the level of craftsmanship and quality that went into the construction of that incredibly streamlined gun. Definitely one of the all-time classic pocket autos from another era.