FN Browning M1906 Manufacture

[hatchetbearer]

I picked up one of these little .25's at a gun show recently, and was trying to get a date of manufacture. from what i could gather, it appears to be a 2nd model, pre 1925 make, with the late model thumb safety, and an early model narrow trigger.

I know the grips appear to be for a later model gun, as the fit is off by just a little. I'm also curious if to the nickel finish is factory or not, as it looks too nice to be true.

Serial number is 2321xx if that helps anyone.

once i figured out how to hold it, I managed to get 7 rounds into a space the size of my palm at 10 yards, so if anything, i have an ultracompact ccw.

 

[hatchetbearer]

picture for posterity

 

[Two Old Dogs]

Factory nickle was an option. If the slide markings are all the same depth, it is probably factory.

If your pistol has a magazine safety, it is the third varient, but has the early trigger. The trigger with flanges was incorporated in 1911 around serial number 220,000 but the transition was not consistent as old style parts were used up. If you do not have the magaaine safety, you have a relatively scarce second varient.

Your pistol was probably manufactured in the 1911-1912 time frame based on the serial number.

 

[Jim K]

Well, I am certain the plating is not factory; the blurred markings and rounded corners indicate heavy buffing, probably to remove rust.

I am not even sure the finish is nickel; it looks a bit like chrome.

If the gun functions OK, it is a shooter, but its collector value is gone.

Jim

 

[hatchetbearer]

It's got kind of a yellow finish to the chrome/nickel/whatever, Kind of like white gold, but obviously not white gold if that makes any sense. No magazine safety in it, so yes, she's a second variant with an earlier trigger.

Collector value is nil, as it does look buffed down on the top of the slide. But it's accurate and does well for a century old handgun. it might not be CCW worthy being a .25 auto, but it might see some of my more formal wear carry rotations.

I wish i could find some pearl grips to fit it, the black ones just dont look right.

 

[Badger Arms]

Read the Unblinking Eye's writeup, excellent work and pictures. Pearl and ivory grips are available. Oftentimes, makers have difficulty distinguishing the Baby Browning, FN model 1906, and Colt Model 1908 clearly enough. Know what you are getting and KEEP YOUR OLD GRIPS for resale purposes.

 

[hatchetbearer]

I also have a Colt 1908, although, I cannot get it to fire. as the replacement firing pin I got for it does not catch the sear.

 

[Trader Ray]

Not to try to highjack this thread, but info on these F&N pistols is rare, I have a blue/black finished piece with the wide trigger. It is a very tight, solid gun that I have had for a little while. I wonder if anyone could give me a idea of the build date, serial number is a 6 digit and is 5946xx. Thank you very much.