[James K]

A very clever design. I like the way JMB used the recoil spring to power the striker. I could be wrong, but I don't think anyone else has ever done that.

I think the M1899 didn't have the safety markings, while the M1900 did.

I have never seen an 1899/1900 with wood grips, only hard rubber, but I checked Vanderlinden's book and he says the large model 1899 had checkered wood grips.

Here is a rundown:

Model 1899 Compact:

Offered Jan 1899 to late 1901
Length 158mm
Barrel length 100mm
Grips Vulcanite/hard rubber
Sights Fixed with sight safety incorporated. (This seems to mean the cocking indicator, not a sight safety like the 1900 Colt, since the Model 1900 description says the same thing.)


3900 made in 1899, up to 6000 1900-1901
Slide legends on guns made in 1899:
FABRIQUE NATIONALE HERSTAL LIEGE (BROWNING'S PATENT) or FABRIQUE NATIONAL HERSTAL LIEGE

Slide legend on guns made after 1899:
Same as first above.
--------------------
Model 1899 Large:

Offered mid-1899 to late 1900

Length 184mm
Barrel length 122mm
Grips Checkered wood
Sights Fixed with sight safety incorporated. (see above)

Probably less than a dozen pistols made, very limited production.

-------------------------

The Model 1900 was 164mm overall, with a 102mm barrel length, hard rubber grips.

So that gun has wood grips, but appears as best I can tell to be a Model 1900. I doubt anyone made wood aftermarket grips, so either the factory used some leftover grips or they replaced broken 1900 grips with large 1899 grips.

Jim