In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

Browning semi auto pistol ID help needed

moparmopar Member Posts: 338 ✭✭
edited January 2007 in Ask the Experts
Could use some experienced & knowledgable help.

Found a very nice Browning .380 today for sale through an individual seller.Only problem I'm having is trying to get a positive ID on it as I'm not in the now about Brownings as a whole.

Here is the writing that I copied from it:

Writing on slide:

FABRIQUE NATIONALE: D'Armes deGurre HERSTAL BELGIQUE

Writing on Frame:

CAL.380 I10 NO145

DERSE

I can only seem to find info that points to it being a Model M1908
possibly.

It has the original blued finish with some wear above trigger area,maybe fom holster carry?

Has nice wooden grips and lanyard loop on left side of grip frame.

Fixed sights,hidden hammer and grip safety.

Barrel length looks to about 5.5 or so or about the same length as a Colt 19ll.

Current owner has fired it and it does function well.

overall I's say conditon is about 85-90% only because of the worn area I mentioned above.I've seen worse on newer guns.

if anyone can tell me what model this is and what it's worth I would be real grateful.I'm wanting to buy this pistol but would like info first before I purchase.

If you could email me at: sacaircom@yahoo.com

I don't check my PM's often so this would be a better way to get ahold of me.

Thanks Very Much To All For Your Help
Doug

Comments

  • Hawk CarseHawk Carse Member Posts: 4,383 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Sounds to me like a 1903 FN Swedish contract gun; originally in calibre 9mm Browning Long (9x20SR) but converted to .380 for easy surplus sale in the USA. Does it look like the ones at:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FN_Model_1903
    Does it have a slide stop on the right side?

    I recommend you shoot before you buy since it is not in the original caliber.

    I don't know the current dollar value.
  • rufe-snowrufe-snow Member Posts: 18,650 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    As Hawk noted, these Swedish military pistols were converted to .380 caliber, by a Southern California importer in the 1950's. The basic indication besides their size is the ".380" marking that is hand stamped of the left side of the frame.

    The original caliber was 9mm Browning Long, which was a cartridge that was virtually unobtainable in the States then, so the barrels were sleeved to .380.

    The early ones that were manufactured in Belgium, aren't nearly as common as the latter ones made in the Swedish military arsenal.

    I owned one of the Swedish arsenal ones, years ago. It was a good shooter.

    The wooden grips don't sound correct though. The ones I remember had black hard rubber grips.
Sign In or Register to comment.