FN 1910

PopsA707 · March 8, 2020, 07:52 PM

I picked this little guy up as part of a package deal a few years ago. I’ve not been able to find any documentation to support such a low serial number, ‘406’. The style of the inscription on the left side of the slide puts the manufacturing post 1930.

My thought is this pistol was refinished at some point and given a new serial number at that time. Or perhaps it was part of a special order. Anyone have any other ideas or can validate my beliefs? I haven’t found anything to support a three digit serial number on a FN 1910.

Regardless, he was a $200 add on that has grown on me and He’s not going anywhere anytime soon.

Bill DeShivs · March 8, 2020, 08:22 PM

The pistol does not appear to be refinished.
Very nice gun!

Jim Watson · March 8, 2020, 10:04 PM

I have read that FNs were numbered per contract or production batch and there is no overall scheme or sequence.

PopsA707 · March 9, 2020, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill DeShivs

The pistol does not appear to be refinished.
Very nice gun!

It is in excellent condition. If it was refinished the work was done a long time ago and whoever did the job was a master craftsmen. I don’t think it’s common for the serial number to be reset though, unless it’s a factory job. And I’ve found no evidence of this happening.

PopsA707 · March 9, 2020, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Watson

I have read that FNs were numbered per contract or production batch and there is no overall scheme or sequence.

From the little bit I’ve found FN just kept plugging away over the years until about 1975 and serial number 705,000. Like you said, not like a real solid plan, just kind of moving along.

This is where my 406 is interesting to me. Do I really have an early model? Or was it a fill in later from a special order. I can’t find anything on 3 digit serial numbers. Did they start with 10000, or 100 or 1.

I love a mystery. Guns are great for so many reasons.

Tidewater_Kid · March 9, 2020, 07:27 PM

Found the on the web. It would appear this was made after 1925.

The serial number is on the right side of the frame, just above the trigger. The right side of the slide is blank. The inscription on the left side of the slide remained the same throughout production, though there were minor changes in the characters and spacing which cannot all be reproduced here. See Vanderlinden for complete details. Guns made prior to World War I feature serif characters in upper case with the exception of the “de”.

FABRIQUE NATIONALE D’ARMES de GUERRE HERSTAL BELGIQUE
BROWNING’S PATENT DEPOSE

After World War I the inscription changed to sans-serif characters, but retianed the lower-case “de”.

FABRIQUE NATIONALE D’ARMES de GUERRE HERSTAL BELGIQUE
BROWNING’S PATENT DEPOSE

There was a return to serif characters in the 1925-1929 time period, after which the legend appeared in all upper case sans-serif letters (including the “DE”).

FABRIQUE NATIONALE D’ARMES DE GUERRE HERSTAL BELGIQUE
BROWNING’S PATENT DEPOSE

https://unblinkingeye.com/Guns/1910FN/1910fn.html

PopsA707 · March 10, 2020, 10:59 AM

I agree it’s post 1925. How does that explain the serial number? Do you think they did this for special orders?

Atticus Thraxx · May 16, 2020, 01:09 PM

Nice. A lot better finish than mine. Be curious how yours groups at 15 yards. Post some pics from next range trip with her.

March 8, 2020, 08:22 PM	#2
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,981	The pistol does not appear to be refinished. Very nice gun! __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

May 16, 2020, 01:09 PM	#8
Atticus Thraxx Senior Member Join Date: October 23, 2007 Location: Yolo County CA Posts: 314	Nice. A lot better finish than mine. Be curious how yours groups at 15 yards. Post some pics from next range trip with her. __________________ "No Curling in the Squat Rack!" Looking for K98 bolt #5954 and K98 bolt #31942 for trade. DM me if you have a match. Prizes will be awarded!

March 8, 2020, 10:04 PM	#3
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,539	I have read that FNs were numbered per contract or production batch and there is no overall scheme or sequence.

March 9, 2020, 07:27 PM	#6
Tidewater_Kid Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 925	Found the on the web. It would appear this was made after 1925. The serial number is on the right side of the frame, just above the trigger. The right side of the slide is blank. The inscription on the left side of the slide remained the same throughout production, though there were minor changes in the characters and spacing which cannot all be reproduced here. See Vanderlinden for complete details. Guns made prior to World War I feature serif characters in upper case with the exception of the “de”. FABRIQUE NATIONALE D’ARMES de GUERRE HERSTAL BELGIQUE BROWNING’S PATENT DEPOSE After World War I the inscription changed to sans-serif characters, but retianed the lower-case “de”. FABRIQUE NATIONALE D’ARMES de GUERRE HERSTAL BELGIQUE BROWNING’S PATENT DEPOSE There was a return to serif characters in the 1925-1929 time period, after which the legend appeared in all upper case sans-serif letters (including the “DE”). FABRIQUE NATIONALE D’ARMES DE GUERRE HERSTAL BELGIQUE BROWNING’S PATENT DEPOSE https://unblinkingeye.com/Guns/1910FN/1910fn.html

March 10, 2020, 10:59 AM	#7
PopsA707 Junior Member Join Date: March 8, 2020 Posts: 4	I agree it’s post 1925. How does that explain the serial number? Do you think they did this for special orders?