{"id":395291,"date":"2023-04-27T07:00:15","date_gmt":"2023-04-27T12:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/?p=395291"},"modified":"2024-10-10T08:56:38","modified_gmt":"2024-10-10T13:56:38","slug":"the-super-influential-fn-model-1900-pistol","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/the-super-influential-fn-model-1900-pistol\/","title":{"rendered":"The Super Influential FN Model 1900 Pistol"},"content":{"rendered":"

Most of you reading this article are probably somewhat familiar with John Moses Browning. If not, here\u2019s the skinny: Browning was the most prolific and influential firearms designer of his time. Maybe\u2026probably\u2026of all time. We don\u2019t have the space to address all of Browning\u2019s designs. Just listing them would make an article by itself. So, today we focus on the FN Model 1900, a Browning gun that was the first semi-automatic pistol to feature a slide. Sort of. It also kicked off the concealed carry pistol industry.<\/p>\n

\"FN
The John Browning designed FN Model 1900. (Askild Antonsen)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A Firearm Looking for a Market<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Browning filed the patents for what would become the FN Model 1900 pistol in 1897. It was a simple blowback design chambered in Browning\u2019s new .32 ACP cartridge<\/a>. It was only 6.75 inches long and weighed about 1.4 pounds. The four-inch barrel and overall slimness made it easily concealable, and the seven-round single-stack magazine provided considerable firepower for its day.<\/p>\n

That same year, Browning traveled from his Utah home to Connecticut, hoping to sell the design to Colt. The gunmaker, however, wasn\u2019t interested because they believed Browning\u2019s gun had no military application, being so small. Military contracts were the big-ticket items for manufacturers and there was no civilian concealed carry market yet. Disappointed, Browning had to find another buyer for his design.<\/p>\n

A Company Looking for a Product<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Meanwhile, after a fast start, Belgian gunmaker Fabrique Nationale (FN), had fallen on hard times. The company was originally a joint project between smaller gunmakers to facilitate the volume generated by government contracts. The first such was the Model 1889 Mauser. But the individual members soon felt threatened by FN\u2019s success, causing many to pull their resources from the venture.<\/p>\n

Despite having a reputation for quality products, FN\u2019s future was uncertain. The company started looking for products they could manufacture in their large and modern facility. FN already produced bicycles and motorcycles and looked to possibly expand those endeavors. The company dispatched Hart O. Berg, an American-born businessman who was living in Belgium, to Connecticut with instructions to learn about new trends in bicycle making.<\/p>\n

\"Hart
Left: Hart O. Berg. Right: John Moses Browning. (C&Rsenal YouTube Channel)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A Serendipitous Meeting<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Berg, who had previously lived and worked in Connecticut, also had ties to Colt, and it seems he was involved in that company\u2019s development of Browning\u2019s M1889 revolver and M1895 machine gun. While in Connecticut, Berg met Browning, though the circumstances of that meeting are unknown. It may have been that Berg heard from his contacts at Colt that Browning had a design to sell.<\/p>\n

However it happened, Browning allowed Berg to take his prototype back to Belgium. It wasn\u2019t a bicycle, but Berg and FN had found the product for which they were looking. The new pistol also marked the beginning of Browning\u2019s long and fruitful association with FN, a legacy that still resounds today.<\/p>\n

FN Births the Concealed Carry Market<\/strong><\/h2>\n

FN immediately grasped the new pistol\u2019s potential, especially after it fired 500 rounds without a malfunction in their tests. 500 rounds seems like nothing special to us today, but it was all but unheard of for a semi-automatic pistol in 1897. The company offered Browning a contract, which he signed in July of that year.<\/p>\n

\"FN
The Model 1900 was a simple yet effective design. (Public Domain)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

FN offered the initial product, the FN Model 1899, to the Belgian and British militaries. The Brits passed, not liking the small caliber, but the Belgian Army accepted an upgraded version, now designated the Model 1900. Production of the Model 1899 soon ceased, though that firearm has the distinction of being the first production pistol with a reciprocating slide and to be chambered in .32 ACP. The Model 1900 was technically the second in both those categories, even though it\u2019s really just a better Model 1899.<\/p>\n

The firearm was very popular in Belgium, leading many police forces to adopt the Model 1900 as well. Eventually, police agencies across Europe, as well as the militaries of Greece, Austria-Hungary, Russia, France, and Germany, at least partially equipped themselves with Browning\u2019s pistol.<\/p>\n

Civilian sales were also brisk. For the first time, a quality, concealable firearm was publicly available. Keep in mind that European gun laws were very different from what they are today. Despite the Model 1900\u2019s popularity in Europe, few were sold in the United States. Part of that was FN\u2019s lack of American market presence, but what market existed was mostly dominated by the Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless pistol.<\/p>\n

One notable American Model 1900 owner, however, was US President Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt\u2019s one-of-a-kind pistol featured fine engraving and pearl grips. The gun was reportedly Roosevelt\u2019s nightstand gun in the White House. Times sure have changed, haven\u2019t they?<\/p>\n

\"Theodore
Theodore Roosevelt’s FN Model 1900 pistol served as his nightstand gun in the White House. This pistol is now held by the NRA’s National Firearms Museum. (nramuseaum.org)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

FN Model 1900 Specifications<\/strong><\/h2>\n
    \n
  • Caliber: .32 ACP (7.65mm Browning)<\/li>\n
  • Capacity: 7+1<\/li>\n
  • Magazine: Single Stack<\/li>\n
  • Barrel Length: 4 inches<\/li>\n
  • Overall Length: 6.75 inches<\/li>\n
  • Weight: 1.4 pounds<\/li>\n
  • Operating System: Straight Blowback<\/li>\n
  • Trigger: Approximately 10 pounds<\/li>\n
  • Finish: Blued or Nickel Plated<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Notable Features<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    The FN Model 1900 was popular for a reason. First, it was simple and reliable. Simple designs are likely to be less expensive too. But the gun included some novel features that made it more attractive than many competitors, along with a couple that weren\u2019t so good:<\/p>\n

    Low bore axis.<\/strong> The Model 1900 looks like an over\/under design, but it\u2019s not. What looks, at first glance, like the top barrel is actually where the recoil spring is located. The \u201cbottom barrel\u201d is the real barrel. Combined with the soft shooting .32 ACP cartridge and its 1.4 lb. weight, the Model 1900 had little muzzle flip and felt recoil. It was, and remains, a pleasure to shoot.<\/p>\n

    \"FN
    At first glance, the Model 1900 looks like an over\/under design, but it isn’t. (alloutdoor.com)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Simple design.<\/strong> The Model 1900 was easy to operate and easy to maintain. The straight blowback action and the slide mechanism meant there was little to go wrong. Disassembly, though not as easy as today, was still straightforward. Remove two screws on the slide and the rest is similar to modern pistols. Pull off the slide and there are the barrel, recoil spring, and breech block.<\/p>\n

    The stiff recoil spring also operated the trigger, all but eliminating light primer strikes and, again, fewer parts mean a simpler design.<\/p>\n

    Easy cocking.<\/strong> The textured cocking ears are easy to grasp, making slide manipulation easy indeed.<\/p>\n

    Cocking indicator.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Empty magazine indicator.<\/strong> The slide does not lock back on an empty mag, but a rounded pin rises to block the rear sight when the gun is empty, thus alerting the shooter.<\/p>\n

    Easy to reach safety mechanism.<\/strong> The frame-mounted thumb safety is convenient and positive. The gun was stamped \u201cFeu\u201d for \u201cfire,\u201d and \u201cS\u00fbr\u201d for \u201csafe.\u201d That\u2019s French in case you didn\u2019t know. There are no known Model 1900s with equivalent English words since the gun was not in widespread use in Britain or the United States.<\/p>\n

    The Model 1900\u2019s worst feature is the sighting system.<\/strong> The small, rounded blade paired with a shallow rear groove is hard to pick up and leaves much to be desired.<\/p>\n

    The heel magazine release is also less than ideal.<\/strong> It\u2019s small and hard to access, being described as a \u201cfingernail bender\u201d by at least one commentator.<\/p>\n

    \"FN
    The Model 1900 is surprisingly easy to disassemble. (alloutdoor.com)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Influence<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    Few handguns have been so influential as the FN Model 1900. The gun kicked off a concealed carry trend across Europe and North America. Sadly, that trend only continues in the US. But the Model 1900 was the first real semi-automatic concealed carry pistol. We still use many of its innovations today.<\/p>\n

    FN manufactured the Model 1900 until 1914, by which time over 700,000 were made. Not bad for a gun initially rejected because there was supposedly no market for it. Browning followed the Model 1900 with the sleeker FN Model 1910, another successful design based heavily on the Model 1900.<\/p>\n

    Browning maintained a productive relationship with FN until he died, perhaps culminating in the outstanding Browning Hi-Power in 1935. Versions of that legendary firearm are produced by FN to this day. Even if they don\u2019t know it, modern semi-automatic pistol manufacturers and enthusiasts are heavily indebted to John Browning, who designed the FN Model 1900, and Hart O. Berg, who saw its potential. So, if you see one of these rarities in a pawn shop or gun store, you might consider picking up a piece of history. They aren\u2019t all that expensive and they\u2019re fun to shoot. Think about it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Even if they don\u2019t know it, modern semi-automatic pistol manufacturers and enthusiasts are heavily indebted to John Browning, who designed the FN Model 1900, and Hart O. Berg, who saw its potential. The Model 1900 was the first real semi-automatic concealed carry pistol. We still use many of its innovations today.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":42,"featured_media":395293,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2622],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-395291","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-firearms-history"],"small_media_thumbnail":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/fn-model-1900-feature-300x225.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/395291","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/42"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=395291"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/395291\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":440788,"href":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/395291\/revisions\/440788"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/395293"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=395291"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=395291"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=395291"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}