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herstal browning's paten info needed

jmecheruljmecherul Member Posts: 84 ✭✭
edited March 2008 in Ask the Experts
hi
i have this Herstal looking like a baby browning, but i am not sure. it is marked with "Fabrique Nationale D'armes de Guerre Herstal Belgique
Browning's patent Depose". I am thinking this is a Herstal. serial number is 85257. it also has a bunch of marks that i do not understand. can someone please explain what this is exactly and how much it might be worth? any help with the info is appreciated. thanks

here are some pics to help you.

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Comments

  • jmecheruljmecherul Member Posts: 84 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    some more info
    this might not be a baby browning, but a moddel 1906 vest pocket 1st variation. i am not sure has 2.5" barrel.
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  • Bill DeShivsBill DeShivs Member Posts: 1,264 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    It's an FN .25. Fabrique Nationale made the guns for Browning Arms for US sale.
    Bill
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  • jmecheruljmecherul Member Posts: 84 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    what is with all the marks? and how much might it be worth?
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  • rufe-snowrufe-snow Member Posts: 18,650 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    It's not a commonly seen variation, as it doesn't have the manual safety. Probably nearly 100 years old, because of this. Condition is lacking though, i.e. pitting and replacement grips. Unless you can find a collector who just has to have it? It would only command the price of a well worn shooter to most folks. My 2?, $150 - $250 range.
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  • jmecheruljmecherul Member Posts: 84 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    hi
    thanks
    anybody else got any other ideas?
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  • Bill DeShivsBill DeShivs Member Posts: 1,264 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    These aren't "ideas"-they are facts. Not much more to say.
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  • jmecheruljmecherul Member Posts: 84 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    hi
    i meant about the markings and actual date of manufacture. it is not only about price, but I would like to learn something about these guns.
    thanks
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  • perry shooterperry shooter Member Posts: 17,105 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hello Most all European countries have very strict PROOF laws for hundreds of years . These strange to you and I marks are just that Proof that the gun is safe to fire when it leaves the factory and also tells the company Who put the firearm together . They are NOT some Mystery Cult Signs they just are not meant to mean much to us.
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  • rufe-snowrufe-snow Member Posts: 18,650 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by jmecherul
    hi
    i meant about the markings and actual date of manufacture. it is not only about price, but I would like to learn something about these guns.
    thanks



    GOOGLE, "belgian proof marks", for insight on the markings.

    The Model 1906 without the manual safety, like yours was only made for a short period of time. This was years prior to the First World War. This makes your pistol at least 95 and perhaps as old as 100 years old.
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  • jmecheruljmecherul Member Posts: 84 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    hi
    thanks for all this help
    i am looking at the proof marks on this page https://store.bluebookinc.com/Info/PDF/Firearm/Proofmarks.pdf (page 2) and I find one that has been in use since 1924. this contradicts the pre-WWI theory. is there a possibility that some of these marks have been added later or is it just a very rare later year model?
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