FN model 1910

[captdenden]

I am trying to find any information on a gunmark found on the right frame,slide and barrel of an FN model 1910 that was a WWII bringback. This mark is a Circle about 4MM in diameter with a capital "B" in the middle. My gunmark book doesn't show this mark and the library in my small town is having trouble hunting up other gunmark books. All I know is that it does not seem to be a normal mark that FN would put on a gun. There are no german marks on the weapon and I think the GI who picked it up was only in France and the benelux countries. Thanks for any help.

 

[Jim K]

I am willing to be corrected, but I THINK that is a factory proof mark showing the pistol was inspected and proved BEFORE it was sent to the Liege proof house for the mandatory Belgian government proof. That proof mark, an ELG in an oval should also be present.

Jim

 

[captdenden]

Thanks, that seems like it makes sense. The only problem is that the
only other marks on the gun (beside the FN rollmark on the left side of the slide) are a "4" on the bottom of the dustcover. I have never seen a "4" in that location. (by the way the number "4" was apparently good enough for the inspecting officer for the bringback) This thing is probably a "lunch box special" or something put together when the factory was overrun by the allies. Do you have any idea where to look for the "circle B" as an FN mark.
I understand there is a book about FN pistols but I cannot find it in Amazon or the Library of Congress. Anyhow looking for the backround on an almost unmarked gun with clear plexiglass grips and a 1930's-1950's style shoulder holster makes for some interesting thoughts. No, I'm not thinking secret agent gun. You got caught with a totally sterile (no numbers) gun and they had a real good reason to shoot you. I am thinking air force (ours or thiers) due to the thick plexiglass. Still looking..

 

[Jim K]

I can't help much with your other questions, only to say that the normal Liege proofs were used on the (limited) commercial production throughout the war years. How that gun escaped or if the B marking was used as a substitute is (AFAIK) anybody's guess. Maybe someone else will have the answers. (There is a book on the High Power, but I don't know of any on the FN pistols in general.)

The plexiglas grips have always puzzled me. They show up almost routinely on GI WWII bringbacks, the Polish Radom being a common candidate, but I have seen them on just about any pistol that they could be put on. Apparently there was some regular supply of plexiglas (from downed planes?) and it seems to have been used in most areas and by ground forces as well as air forces. Often a piece of white or colored paper was inserted under the grip to give the illusion that it was made of ivory, pearl, or some other material. I have seen pictures of (I assume) girl friends under plexiglas grips. Oddly, I have seen this only from the ETO; either Japanese pistol grips didn't break, or they were too complex to be made from plexiglas.

Jim

 

[captdenden]

Well the search continues. Hopefully the librarians in Florida will have better luck than in my little town. By the way, and way off the subject of FN 1910's, I have a baby nambu with genuine tortoise shell grips that fit better than the wood grips. Apparently the japanese grip makers could do all of the intricate inlaying work on the inside. Only non wood grips I have ever seen on a japanese gun.

 

[The Scandinavian]

Have you tried to find

The Begian Browning Pistols 1889 - 1949
by Anthony Vanderlinden
ISBN: 0970799705

 

[captdenden]

Nope, I was looking for "FN Pistols" by Tony Vanderlinn. Amazing how literal computers are. thank you for your help.