FN Browning .25 Auto Question

[dirtydeeds]

My grandfather has my late great grandfathers FN Browning .25 auto. serial number 29xxxx I am trying to find the date of manufacture for him. It is the exact same gun as in thread http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=3352946 Any advice on how I could go about finding this information? It is a great little gun in great shape I would like to dig up some history on it. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[GeorgeR]

Baby Browning DOB

My info shows 1964. Nice little gun.

 

[Jim K]

Hi, GeorgeR,

The gun shown in that thread is not a Baby Browning, it is the Model 1905, which was out of production by 1964. Do you have info on the older gun? I would make a guess at about 1914 for that serial number.

Jim

 

[dirtydeeds]

Yes Jim it is the FN model not a baby browning so I don't think the browning serial number on the Browning site apply to this gun. I am hoping someone has a list of FN serial numbers?
fingers crossed

 

[GeorgeR]

Thaks for the correction. According to Browning, FN made them starting in 1905 and Browning started importing in 1954. Browning doesn't differentiate between the two models, but I see and appreciate the obvious differences. Perhaps they changed the gun when they started to import? I don't know of anyone with FN records, perhaps Mr Nolden can help?

 

[Jim K]

They changed the design because the old Browning design was getting too expensive to make.

Model 1905 production ran from 1905 until about 1949. Few were imported because of the "non compete" agreement with Colt that FN would not sell in the Americas and Colt would not sell in Europe. After Colt ceased production of their M1908 .25 Auto (nearly identical to the FN M1905), the FN Baby Browning was imported, starting about 1954. But it was the new design, not the old Model 1905.

The Baby Browning (in spite of the name, not a Browning design) was first made in the pre-WWII era, but was not imported into the U.S. until 1954 because of that agreement. Import ceased when GCA '68 went into effect in 1968.

As to Browning (FN) not distinguishing between the guns, I find that hard to believe, since the Baby has its own serial number range, and parts don't interchange.

Jim

 

[Sunray]

"...My grandfather has..." He does have the 12(6) permit doesn't he? If not he's illegally in possession of a prohibited weapon.
Please come by http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/