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FN M1900
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The FN Browning M1900 (known at the time in Europe just as Browning pistol) is a single action semi-automatic pistol designed c. 1896 by John Browning for Fabrique Nationale de Herstal (FN) and produced in Belgium at the turn of the 20th century. It was the first production handgun to use a slide.

Key Information

History

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Development

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Browning's earliest 1895 pistol prototype

John Browning started his work on semi-automatic pistols in 1894, when he mostly finalized the M1895 Colt–Browning machine gun.[2] He initially tried to use the same gas action with a swinging piston, with a prototype ready to be shown to Colt in July 1895,[3] and applied for a patent[4] in September 1895.[5]

Browning's .38 blowback pistol prototype, which was scaled down to create the FN M1899

Although this experimental pistol did not progress further, its general layout and fire control group design were reused in three other designs he developed in the following year. Patents for them were filed in October 1896, and two out of three later became Colt M1900 and FN M1900.[5] All four prototypes were chambered in .38 caliber and are currently exhibited at the Browning Firearms Museum in Ogden, Utah.[6] Browning licensed the rights to produce and sell them to Colt within the US and Canada in July 1896, but it's believed at the time Colt was mainly protecting its revolver market.[5] In 1896[7] or 1897[8] Browning also scaled the .38 blowback pistol down to .32 caliber to use as a pocket pistol.

US patent for the Browning .32 pistol, issued in 1899

According to a widespread legend,[2] in April 1897[9] FN sent their sales manager Hart O. Berg to Hartford, where he had previously worked, to investigate advances in bicycle design introduced by the Pope Manufacturing Company.[7] There, he supposedly accidentally met John Browning[7] and persuaded him to have his pistol manufactured at FN by telling him the story of a modern factory with nothing to produce.[10]

Despite state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities, by the end of 1895 FN was in poor financial shape due to a lack of orders on their M1889 rifles and a lost legal battle with Mauser over the rights to produce improved M1893s.[11] In 1896, most of their primary shareholders left and a major competitor, DWM, took over a controlling stake, excluding the company from the export market for military firearms and forcing it to diversify into sporting firearms, their parts, and even bicycles.[11]

Receipt for $2,000 downpayment received by Browning brothers from FN in July 1897

However, documents from Browning's later legal dispute with Georg Luger tell a different story. In 1896-1897 Berg, who was acquainted with Browning due to their joint work on the Colt machine gun in 1893–1894, persuaded him in correspondence to visit Liège with his pistol designs, which he did in April 1897. FN managers were impressed by the design's reliability and simplicity (it's unclear from secondary sources if it was already in .32 or still in .38) which were uncommon in those early days of semi-automatic guns. Afterward, Berg and Browning traveled to Berlin and showed a locked-breech and a blowback pistol to Hugo Borchardt to obtain approval from DWM.[2]

Berg presented a draft of the license agreement to the FN board in June 1897[9] and then traveled to Hartford to finalize it with John and Matt Brownings in July 1897.[2] The agreement granted FN the rights to manufacture and sell what became the M1899 in France, Belgium, Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Spain.[2] In 1898 Berg was unsuccessful in attempting to persuade Browning to supervise the pistol's production in Belgium, but its manufacture by FN transformed the fortunes of that company and laid the foundation for its long-term relationship with Browning (who died on FN's premises in 1924).[10]

Browning's .32 blowback pistol prototype
Serial Browning 1900 pistol produced ca. 1909

Production

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Serial production started in January 1899, but the M1899 nomenclature postdates it. FN originally called M1899 "modele de présérie",[12](pre-production model) approximately 14,400 of them were made in total.[13]

In 1900, driven by feedback from the Belgian military, FN introduced what was later called M1900, an improved design based on the M1899. These designations were applied retroactively after FN began manufacture of other Browning pistol designs; initially the M1900 was marketed as simply the "Pistolet Browning" (Browning Pistol).

A shorter barrel reduced the overall length by less than a millimeter while maintaining the same caliber and magazine capacity. The grip plates were made 1 mm wider, offering a more comfortable and secure hold for shooters with larger hands.[13]

In addition to these external changes, M1900 incorporated several internal improvements. The reinforced area of the frame above the trigger guard was enlarged and thickened, enhancing the pistol's durability (cf. the image comparison above). The diameter of the breech block screws was increased, further strengthening the action. A cocking indicator, visible as an extension of the internal cocking lever, was added, providing a visual confirmation of the pistol's cocked status. Finally, M1900 introduced a slide lock, activated by turning the safety lever upward when the slide was retracted in order to facilitate easier cleaning and maintenance.[13]

Production ceased only 11 years later, with a total of about 725,000 units having been produced by FN only (excluding all the numerous copies).

Usage

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The same pistol shown from the other side

United States President Theodore Roosevelt owned a mother of pearl-gripped Modele 1899, which he regularly kept on his person and in his bedside drawer. It now resides in the NRA Firearms Museum.[14]

Eugen Schauman, a Finnish nationalist activist, assassinated the Governor-General Nikolay Bobrikov (the highest Russian authority in the Grand Duchy of Finland) with a Browning pistol in Helsinki on June 16, 1904. The act was followed by spontaneous anti-Russian celebrations in the streets of Helsinki and after the 1917 independence Schauman was considered to be a national hero of Finland.[15]

An Jung-geun, a Korean-independence activist, assassinated the 1st Prime Minister of Japan and Resident-General of Korea Itō Hirobumi with this type of gun on October 26, 1909, in Harbin railway station.[16][17]

Socialist revolutionary Fanny Kaplan also used a FN M1900 in her attempted assassination of Lenin on August 30, 1918.[18]

Abelardo Mendoza Leyva, a militant of the Peruvian left-wing APRA party, is also reported to have used an FN1900 to assassinate President Luis Miguel Sánchez Cerro in Lima, on April 30, 1933.[19]

The pistol was popular in China from its introduction through World War II and was often copied and used as the basis for other designs.[20] State-run arsenals produced serialized production runs for warlord militias, and local craftsmen produced one-off handmade versions.[21]

Cutaway view

The North Korean Type 64 pistol [ja] is closely based on M1900 although with modifications to fire 7.62×17mm Type 64.[22] Specimens examined by western authorities were marked with the date of 1964. A silenced variant was produced that featured a shortened slide to allow the threaded barrel to protrude far enough to attach the silencer.[23]

North Korean Type 64 pistol

Ammunition

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The weapon is chambered for .32 ACP, also known as 7.65×17mm Browning SR ("SR" denotes semi-rimmed).

Users

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Conflicts

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Herero Wars[33]

Mexican Revolution[42][43]

Balkan Wars[44]

World War I[36]

Russian Civil War[18]

Finnish Civil War[30]

Warlord Era[45]

Constitutionalist Revolution[46]

Chaco War[39]

Chinese Civil War[18]

Spanish Civil War

World War II

Synonyms

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This model is known by several names, including:

  • FN M1900
  • FN Mle.1900
  • Browning M1900
  • Browning No.1

See also

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Underbarrel pistols

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

FN M1900

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from Grokipedia
The FN M1900, also designated as the Model 1900, is a single-action, blowback-operated designed by American inventor John Moses and produced by the Belgian firm Fabrique Nationale Herstal (FN). Introduced in 1899, it chambered the newly developed 7.65×17mm (.32 ) cartridge and featured a reciprocating slide covering the barrel, marking the first mass-produced handgun of its type. With a fixed barrel, striker-fired mechanism, and 7-round detachable box magazine inserted into the grip, the measured 172 mm in overall length, weighed 625 grams unloaded, and included a manual thumb safety on the frame. Its simple, reliable straight-blowback design relied on the cartridge's low recoil for safe operation without a , influencing subsequent concealed-carry and pocket pistols. Approximately 724,550 units were manufactured between 1899 and 1914, primarily for civilian and police use across , with adoption by the Belgian as a standard sidearm through . The M1900's introduction of the cartridge standardized a rimless, centerfire round suitable for compact self-loading pistols, paving the way for broader acceptance of semi-automatic handguns over revolvers in personal defense roles. Its export success and copies in regions like underscored its commercial viability, though production halted with the outbreak of disrupting FN's operations. Despite lacking military prominence compared to later designs like the Hi-Power, the M1900 represented a foundational achievement in small arms evolution through empirical design refinements and first-principles focus on reliability and concealability.

Design and Development

Origins and John Browning's Role

John Moses Browning, an American firearms designer based in Ogden, Utah, initiated the development of what became the FN M1900 in the mid-1890s amid growing interest in self-loading handguns for civilian self-defense. Building on his prior innovations, including lever-action rifles and machine guns produced by Colt, Browning focused on a compact, striker-fired, blowback-operated pistol chambered for a new rimless cartridge he designed, the .32 Automatic Colt Pistol (.32 ACP). By 1894, he had constructed his first experimental semi-automatic pistol prototype, refining concepts through 1896 to create a simple, reliable pocket-sized design with a fixed barrel and no manual safety. In the summer of 1896, Browning traveled to in , presenting four patented designs: two larger .38-caliber models and two smaller .32-caliber blowback variants. While Colt accepted the larger frames for further development, the company rejected the pocket-sized prototypes, citing insufficient market potential for such small self-loaders at the time. Undeterred, Browning leveraged his existing partnership with Fabrique Nationale d'Armes de Guerre (FN) in Herstal, Belgium—established through Colt's 1895 production of his Model 1895 machine gun—to offer the design internationally. FN, seeking to expand beyond rifles into handguns, recognized the prototype's potential after Browning delivered a refined version in June 1897, which endured 500 rounds of testing without a single stoppage, demonstrating robust reliability under continuous fire. Browning's pivotal role extended to securing U.S. No. 580,925 in July 1897 for the basic blowback mechanism and striker system, followed by refinements in No. 632,095 in 1899 addressing production details like the slide and extractor. These patents encapsulated his first-principles approach to simplicity: eschewing complex recoil locking for mass and spring resistance in blowback operation, enabling low-cost manufacturing while maintaining function with the mild-recoiling . FN's adoption transformed Browning's prototype into the production Model 1900, marking his transition from domestic to European manufacturing and establishing the blueprint for modern pocket pistols, though initial production delays pushed commercial availability to 1899.

Prototype Testing and FN Adoption

In March 1897, traveled to with a hand-made of his straight-blowback chambered in , accompanied by 500 rounds of , seeking a manufacturing partner after limited interest from Colt. Upon arrival in , he presented the to representatives of Fabrique Nationale d'Herstal (FN), who subjected it to immediate testing; the fired all 500 rounds without a single malfunction in feeding or ejection, astonishing FN engineers familiar with the frequent jams of contemporary self-loading . To further evaluate reliability, FN conducted an endurance test firing 1,000 rounds in rapid succession at approximately 600 rounds per minute, causing the barrel to glow red-hot from sustained heat; despite Browning's skepticism about the prototype's durability under such conditions, it completed the trial without failure, demonstrating the robustness of its simple blowback mechanism and fixed barrel. This performance validated the design's innovative features, including the short-recoil-inspired slide that enclosed the barrel and the rimless cartridge enabling reliable feeding. Impressed by the prototype's performance, FN entered into a licensing agreement with on July 17, 1897, securing rights to produce the pistol commercially. The company refined minor aspects of the , such as finalizing the 7-round magazine capacity and overall dimensions, before initiating production in 1899 as the FN M1900, marking FN's entry into successful semi-automatic and establishing Browning's design as a foundational influence on modern pocket pistols.

Technical Specifications and Features

Operating Mechanism and Controls

The FN M1900 utilizes a straight blowback operating system, relying on the mass of the slide and the force of the recoil spring to delay opening until chamber pressure has sufficiently dropped, suitable for the relatively low-powered 7.65mm Browning (.32 ACP) cartridge. The barrel remains fixed to the frame throughout the firing cycle, while the slide reciprocates over it, containing the recoil spring around the fixed striker and firing pin assembly. Upon ignition, propellant gases propel the bullet forward and drive the slide rearward, extracting and ejecting the spent cartridge case via a fixed ejector, cocking the striker, and compressing the recoil spring; the spring then returns the slide forward, stripping a new cartridge from the single-stack magazine and chambering it. This design, patented by John Browning in 1899, marked an early successful application of blowback principles in a compact, mass-produced handgun. The features striker-fired operation in a single-action mode, where the trigger releases the cocked striker to fire the primer. The trigger mechanism includes a sear tensioned by a housed in the behind the magazine well. Pull weight averages around 10 pounds, reflecting the robust design intended for reliable function without a . A primary control is the manual thumb mounted on the left side of the frame, aft of the , operable by the firing hand's thumb. In the safe position (upward), it blocks the sear from releasing the striker and locks the trigger in place, preventing inadvertent discharge. Disengaging the involves pushing it downward to the fire position, following European convention. The M1900 lacks a magazine disconnect , permitting firing with an empty or absent , and provides no dedicated slide-lock lever for holding open during loading or cleaning. Disassembly requires retracting the slide to align a notch with a frame-mounted takedown button, then releasing the recoil spring.

Dimensions, Capacity, and Materials

The FN M1900 has an overall of 172 and a barrel of 102 . Its height measures 116 and width 32 . Unloaded, the weighs 625 grams.
SpecificationMeasurement
Overall Length172 mm
Barrel Length102 mm
Height116 mm
Width32 mm
Weight (unloaded)625 g
The standard magazine capacity is 7 rounds of ammunition, fed from a detachable single-stack box magazine. The pistol's frame and slide are machined from , providing durability in a compact design. Grips are typically hard rubber with checkered patterns for enhanced control.

Production

Manufacturing Process

The FN M1900 was manufactured at the Fabrique Nationale d'Armes de Guerre (FN) facility in , near , , utilizing precision machining techniques typical of late 19th-century European arms production. Components such as the frame, slide, and were fabricated from high-carbon steel, likely starting as forgings or , then subjected to extensive milling, turning, , and broaching to achieve tight tolerances essential for the straight-blowback operation and reliable cartridge feeding. The fixed barrel was machined separately and securely threaded into the frame, while the recoil spring—doubling as the striker spring—was housed in a machined tunnel above the barrel. Assembly involved inserting the slide from the front of the frame and the from the rear, with both secured by two large screws to form a rigid upper unit that reciprocated against the fixed barrel. Grip plates, typically checkered hard rubber (thicker than those on the predecessor Model 1899) or occasionally wood, were fitted to the frame and retained by screws passing through escutcheon plates. Frames received hand grinding for final fit and finish, resulting in subtle variations among individual pistols despite the factory's emphasis on uniformity. Quality control included mandatory proof testing at the Liège proof house, marked by the communal Perron stamp, individual inspector marks (a star over a letter), and later a lion-over-PV for smokeless powder loads. Serial numbers, beginning at 1 and progressing through blocks (e.g., 1–9999, then A1 onward), were electro-penciled or stamped on the frame, slide, and breechblock to ensure traceability and prevent part swapping. Tooling for production commenced in 1898 following John Browning's design finalization, enabling initial output by early 1900 after prototype validation. This process reflected FN's transition from bicycle and rifle manufacturing to high-volume semi-automatic pistol production, prioritizing durability over mass speed.

Output and Serial Numbering

The FN M1900 pistol was manufactured in a total of approximately 724,550 units by Fabrique Nationale from 1900 until production ceased at the outbreak of in 1914. This figure excludes unlicensed copies produced elsewhere. Annual output varied, with collector estimates indicating around 72,000 pistols produced between 1900 and 1903, followed by roughly 330,000 units from 1903 to 1907 during a peak period. Serial numbers were assigned sequentially beginning at 1, progressing without date codes or proof marks for direct year identification. Markings appear on the right side of the frame forward of the ejection port, the right side of the slide, and the exposed barrel lug when the slide is retracted. Components typically bear matching serial numbers, though early production featured irregularities and gaps in low-number ranges due to inconsistent manufacturing starts. Dating relies on approximate serial ranges derived from production records and collector observations: serial numbers 1 to 10,000 correspond to 1900–1901; 10,001 to 31,700 to 1901–1902; and 31,701 to 71,700 to 1902–1903. Higher numbers, such as those exceeding 700,000, indicate late production around 1913–1914. These ranges provide estimates rather than precise dates, as FN did not publish official serialization tables.

Ammunition

.32 ACP Cartridge Details

The cartridge, designated 7.65×17mm Browning in metric nomenclature, represents American designer John Moses Browning's first centerfire pistol cartridge, developed in the late to power compact, blowback-operated semi-automatic handguns. Introduced commercially in 1900 with the FN M1900 pistol manufactured by Fabrique Nationale in , the round featured a semi-rimmed, straight-walled case optimized for reliable feeding from single-stack magazines and headspacing via the rim in simple recoil systems. This design choice mitigated extraction issues common in rimless alternatives and influenced subsequent Browning cartridges like the and . The cartridge's case measures 17 mm in length, with a body of 8.55 mm (0.3365 inches), a semi-rim of 9.0 mm (0.358 inches), and a head of 8.6 mm (0.337 inches); overall cartridge length typically spans 25 mm. It accommodates bullets of 7.94 mm (.312 inches) , with factory loads ranging from 60 to 73 grains—most commonly 71-grain (FMJ) for original military specifications or 60-grain jacketed hollow points (JHP) in contemporary defensive variants. Propellant consists of fast-burning smokeless powders suited to short barrels. From the FN M1900's 102 mm (4-inch) barrel, standard 71-grain FMJ loads achieve muzzle velocities of approximately 900 feet per second, delivering 128 foot-pounds of ; lighter 60-grain JHP projectiles reach 950–1,000 fps with marginally higher energy outputs around 130 foot-pounds. These figures reflect the cartridge's emphasis on controllability and low for pocket-sized firearms, though penetration and expansion remain limited compared to larger calibers, often cited as adequate for close-range engagements but suboptimal for reliable incapacitation.
ParameterValue
Bullet Diameter7.94 mm (.312 in)
Case Length17 mm
Rim Diameter9.0 mm (.358 in)
Typical Bullet Weight60–73 grains
Muzzle Velocity (71 gr FMJ, 4" barrel)~900 fps
(71 gr FMJ)~128 ft-lbs

Feeding and Reliability

The FN M1900 employs a detachable single-stack box with a capacity of seven rounds of ammunition, inserted into the grip from the bottom and retained by a heel-mounted . Cartridges are fed via the pistol's straight blowback operating system, in which the from the fired round drives the slide rearward to extract and eject the empty case, followed by the recoil spring—housed above the barrel—propelling the slide forward to strip the next round from the magazine lips and chamber it. During prototype evaluation in 1898, John Browning's handmade exemplar demonstrated remarkable reliability by firing 500 consecutive rounds without a single failure to feed or eject, impressing engineers with its simplicity and function. Production pistols upheld this performance, quickly gaining a reputation for ruggedness and consistent operation that facilitated military adoptions across , including by Belgium's armed forces shortly after introduction in 1900.

Variants

Modele 1899

The Modele 1899, also referred to as the model or "modele de présérie" by Fabrique Nationale (FN), represented the initial commercial iteration of John M. Browning's straight-blowback design, introduced in 1899 as the world's first mass-produced self-loading with a reciprocating slide. This compact, striker-fired, was chambered exclusively in the newly developed 7.65×17mm Browning cartridge (equivalent to ), featuring a fixed barrel, simple blowback operation without a slide lock, and a manual thumb safety on the frame. Distinguishing it from the subsequent Modele 1900, the Modele 1899 exhibited a protruding barrel extension beyond the slide, six serrations (or "steps") on the grip safety for enhanced thumb engagement, absence of slide-lock functionality to hold the action open after the last round, and no engraved safety markings on the frame. These features stemmed from early prototyping efforts dating to 1896–1897, where Browning refined blowback mechanisms for reliability with low-powered rimless ammunition, culminating in FN's adoption of the design after demonstrations to Belgian military officials in 1898. The pistol's fixed sights, hard rubber grips with FN medallions, and blued steel finish prioritized concealability and simplicity, with an overall length of approximately 172 mm and a weight unloaded around 590–625 g. Serial production commenced at FN's factory in January 1899, yielding an estimated 13,000 to 14,400 units through early 1901 before enhancements led to the Modele 1900's introduction, which incorporated a flush barrel bushing, five grip safety steps, added slide-lock provisions, and safety engravings for improved usability and manufacturing efficiency. Despite its transitional status, the Modele 1899 achieved commercial success in , marking FN's entry into semi-automatic pistols and validating Browning's cartridge-pistol synergy, though its lack of interchangeability with later models—sharing only the magazine and minor components—limited parts commonality. Early examples often featured fire-blued triggers and optional nickel plating, with collector interest heightened by low survival rates and historical precedence in self-loading evolution.

Other Designations and Modifications

The FN M1900 pistol was designated by several alternative names, including Browning Model 1900, Browning No. 1, and simply the Browning Pistol in contemporary European usage. Commercial modifications to the standard M1900 included rust bluing or nickel plating finishes, with early production examples featuring fire-blued triggers similar to those on the preceding Model 1899. Deluxe variants offered six progressive levels of engraving, potentially augmented by gold inlays, mother-of-pearl, or ivory grip panels for presentation or high-end sales. One such elaborately engraved specimen was gifted by Fabrique Nationale to during his presidency. Military and police contract examples incorporated country-specific markings, such as "POLITI" stamps on approximately 114 Norwegian police-issued pistols, some predating and featuring standard commercial configurations without major mechanical alterations. Belgian adaptations emphasized reinforced frames, enlarged grip plates, added loops, and bilingual markings ("Sur" for safe and "Feu" for fire), distinguishing them from purely civilian models while retaining the core blowback design.

Operational Use

Civilian Applications

The FN M1900, also known as the Browning Model 1900, was designed primarily for civilian and , marking the introduction of the first commercially viable semi-automatic . Its slim profile, with an overall length of 6.375 inches and weight of 22 ounces unloaded, combined with rounded edges and grips, facilitated easy concealment in clothing, appealing to individuals seeking discreet personal protection. This design emphasized reliability in a compact form, chambered in the newly developed cartridge, which provided manageable recoil for non-expert users. Production at Fabrique Nationale in , , began in 1899 and continued until around 1911, yielding approximately 714,000 to 724,500 units, the majority of which were sold directly to civilians rather than or police entities. These sales were brisk across and markets, driven by the pistol's innovative fixed-barrel, short-recoil operation and striker-fired mechanism, which offered faster follow-up shots compared to contemporary revolvers. The M1900's commercial success democratized semi-automatic handguns for private ownership, influencing subsequent designs by prioritizing concealability and ease of use over raw power. In civilian hands, the served as a for affluent users and a practical tool for urban , particularly in pre-World War I where pocket-sized firearms gained favor amid rising personal security concerns. Its seven-round magazine capacity and smooth-operating slide contributed to its reputation for dependability in close-range defensive scenarios, though its limited reflected the era's constraints. variants, including those marked for specific markets, further expanded civilian access, with the design's enduring appeal evident in ongoing collector interest for original specimens in good condition.

Law Enforcement and Military Service

The FN Model 1900 was adopted by the Belgian Army in March 1900 as its standard-issue sidearm, marking it as the first selected for service by any national armed force, with an initial order of 10,000 units placed that year. variants incorporated specific enhancements for durability and handling, including a reinforced frame extension above the , a loop on the butt, a cocking indicator in the rear sight groove, and bilingual safety markings ("Feu" for fire and "Sur" for safe). The remained in Belgian use through , valued for its rugged reliability despite the modest stopping power of the cartridge, which limited its suitability for frontline combat roles. Limited military adoption occurred elsewhere in Europe, including , where approximately 770 units were documented in inventory by 1914; , via small contracts from 1905 to 1914 primarily for officer presentation; and sporadic use in , , and . These adoptions were constrained by the cartridge's perceived underpowered nature for warfare, leading to preference for larger-caliber alternatives in most armies, though the design's simplicity and ease of carry sustained niche roles into the and, in some cases, up to 1945. In law enforcement, the Model 1900 gained broader acceptance across Europe due to its compact size and dependable function for non-combat duties. German police forces acquired significant numbers, with at least 62 examples documented bearing police markings from pistols produced between 1902 and 1910, often featuring customized German-language safety engravings; these were employed by various regional departments, including the Imperial Police of Munich. Belgian police agencies also adopted it extensively, reflecting national familiarity with the design, while its popularity extended to forces in other nations seeking a reliable officer's pistol. The weapon's service in policing emphasized its role as a backup or uniform sidearm, where the .32 ACP's controllability and low recoil outweighed power deficiencies.

Users and Conflicts

Adopted Nations and Organizations

The FN M1900 was formally adopted by the Belgian Army in March 1900 as its standard-issue sidearm, marking one of the earliest military endorsements of a design. Belgian police forces also incorporated the pistol into service, reflecting its initial commercial success and reliability in domestic law enforcement roles. European police organizations represented the pistol's broadest institutional adoption, with widespread for carry due to its compact and chambering. German police units extensively utilized the M1900, evidenced by at least 62 surviving examples marked with regional police inspectorate stamps from the and early Nazi eras. The Polish State Police adopted it as their inaugural standard sidearm for all ranks during the early , prioritizing its simplicity and ammunition capacity over revolvers. Other continental police services, including those in and various German states, issued the pistol in limited quantities for urban patrol duties. Military adoption beyond remained sporadic and non-standard, often confined to officer purchases or small contracts rather than full-service issuance. acquired examples for the Imperial Army, including specialized units like the Fencing and Gymnastics School, though without large-scale procurement. Similar limited employment occurred in the militaries of , , , and , primarily as supplementary officer weapons during the early . No evidence supports widespread or official adoption in non-European nations, despite exports and copies proliferating in regions like and .

Involvement in Historical Events

The FN M1900 was employed in the attempted of Soviet leader on August 30, 1918, by Socialist Revolutionary in . Kaplan fired three shots at Lenin from the pistol as he exited a meeting, wounding him in the neck and shoulder; the injuries contributed to Lenin's declining health and death in 1924, though he survived the immediate attack. Kaplan was arrested, convicted, and executed by firing squad four days later. Korean activist used an FN M1900 to assassinate on October 26, 1909, at railway station in . The shooting, motivated by opposition to Japanese colonial policies, resulted in Itō's death from multiple wounds and Jung-geun's subsequent execution by the Japanese authorities. During , the FN M1900 served as a standard sidearm for Belgian forces, including in , and saw use by military personnel on both Allied and sides due to its prior adoption and proliferation. Production ceased in 1914 with the German occupation of FN's facilities, but existing stockpiles remained in service.

Legacy and Assessment

Innovations and Influence


The FN M1900 featured pioneering elements in semi-automatic pistol construction, including the first use of a slide assembly in a production handgun, which enclosed the barrel and recoil spring above it, enhancing compactness and reliability for concealed carry. This striker-fired design operated on a simple straight-blowback system, optimized for the newly developed 7.65mm Browning cartridge (equivalent to .32 ACP), allowing effective function with a lightweight slide and minimal parts. Additional innovations included a visible cocking indicator on the rear of the slide, signaling whether the striker was cocked, and a fixed barrel for improved accuracy in a pocket-sized frame measuring approximately 6 inches in length and weighing under 22 ounces unloaded. These features marked a departure from contemporary revolvers and earlier semi-automatics, prioritizing ease of manufacture, user safety, and portability, which contributed to its commercial success with over 700,000 units produced between 1899 and 1910. The M1900's influence extended to establishing the "pocket automatic" category, inspiring subsequent designs like the and , both derived from Browning's patents and emphasizing similar blowback mechanisms for civilian self-defense. Its widespread export and adoption across and beyond demonstrated the viability of mass-produced semi-automatics for non-military markets, paving the way for the proliferation of compact handguns and influencing global practices into the .

Criticisms and Limitations

The FN M1900's sighting arrangement, featuring a diminutive fixed front and shallow rear notch, drew consistent criticism for impeding rapid and precision, particularly under suboptimal or at ranges exceeding point-blank distances. The cartridge's ballistic performance further constrained the pistol's utility, generating muzzle energies around 150 foot-pounds from the 3.5-inch barrel, which ballistic evaluations have characterized as marginal for achieving rapid incapacitation due to inadequate penetration and tissue disruption against resilient targets. This limitation contributed to rejections in trials favoring more potent calibers, underscoring the design's orientation toward carry rather than robust demands. Operational drawbacks included a seven-round capacity that lagged behind multi-shot revolvers of the , compounded by the lack of an automatic slide hold-open, obliging users to manually inspect the chamber after firing, which could delay assessments in dynamic encounters. The frame-mounted manual safety lever, while effective when new, exhibited wear-induced looseness in prolonged service, permitting rattle and inadvertent toggling in some exemplars. Subsequent refinements in Browning's iterations, such as the Model 1910, rectified ergonomic shortcomings like grip proportions and control accessibility evident in the M1900, affirming that while reliable for its epoch, the pistol's foundational constraints—rooted in blowback simplicity and cartridge constraints—necessitated evolution for broader applicability.

Collectibility and Modern Value

The FN M1900, as John Browning's first commercially successful semi-automatic pistol design, holds significant appeal among firearms collectors due to its pioneering role in blowback-operated handguns and its production by Fabrique Nationale, marking the Belgian firm's entry into mass-manufactured self-loading pistols. Over 720,000 units were produced between 1899 and 1910, making standard examples relatively accessible, yet desirability stems from its historical status as one of the earliest successful semi-autos outside the U.S. and its adoption by multiple European militaries. Collectibility is enhanced by variant markings, such as those for specific national contracts (e.g., Russian, Chinese, or German proofs), which command premiums over unmarked civilian models. Rare factory-nickel-plated specimens, shipped as early as , are particularly sought after for their condition retention and atypical finishes, often fetching higher bids at . Condition remains the primary value driver; pistols in 90%+ original bluing with matching numbers and functional mechanics appreciate notably, while heavily worn or mismatched examples trade at the lower end. In the modern market as of 2025, used FN M1900 average approximately $821, reflecting a $310 increase over the prior 12 months driven by steady collector . range from $250 for fair-condition examples to $1,600 for pre-World War I specimens in superior shape, with online listings starting around 300−300-600. Values for typical models hover between $350 and $700, influenced by , originality, and regional regulations on .

References

  1. https://modernfirearms.net/en/handguns/handguns-en/belgium-semi-automatic-pistols/fn-browning-m1900-eng/
  2. https://unblinkingeye.com/Guns/1900FNB/1900fnb.html
  3. https://www.nramuseum.org/guns/the-galleries/world-war-i-and-firearms-innovation/case-36-great-inventors/fabrique-nationale-model-1900-fn-semi-automatic-pistol.aspx
  4. https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/john-moses-browning-and-fabrique-nationale-dherstal-the-greatest-partnership-in-firearms-history/
  5. https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/this-old-gun-fn-browning-model-1900/
  6. https://gunmagwarehouse.com/blog/the-super-influential-fn-model-1900-pistol/
  7. https://pistolplace.wordpress.com/2020/09/08/the-semi-automatic-handgun-designs-of-john-moses-browning-part-1-up-to-1900/
  8. https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2020/12/20/fn-1900/
  9. https://www.militaryfactory.com/smallarms/detail.php?smallarms_id=640
  10. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Osk6sxshfY0
  11. https://oldmanmontgomery.wordpress.com/2015/05/25/an-early-semi-automatic-pistol-for-your-edification/
  12. https://www.midwayusa.com/knowledge-center/articles/fn-browning-model-1900
  13. https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30035492
  14. https://www.gunboards.com/threads/belgian-browning-fn-1900.1097581/
  15. https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/browning-1900-manufacture-date.299027/
  16. https://www.mdshooters.com/threads/how-to-date-fn-browning-m1900-by-s-n.266462/
  17. https://www.lugerforums.com/threads/fn-1899-fn-1900-browning.36006/
  18. https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/the-32-acp-history-performance/
  19. https://www.guns.com/news/reviews/32-acp-bullet-john-browning-ballistics-history
  20. https://bulkmunitions.com/blog/thirty-two-acp-ammo/
  21. https://fnamerica.com/about-fn/
  22. https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/1899-year-of-the-browning-pistol/
  23. https://ogca.com/nra-1/fn/
  24. https://unblinkingeye.com/Guns/1899FNB/1899fnb.html
  25. https://www.scribd.com/document/188216872/The-1899-and-1900-FN-Browning-Pistol
  26. https://pre98.com/shop/important-very-early-factory-cased-fn-model-1899-pistol-1899-production-205-in-exceptional-mint-condition-copy/
  27. https://www.rjkventures.com/blogs/guns/norwegian-politi-pistols-collectible-or-defaced
  28. https://littlegun.be/arme%2520belge/fn/a%2520fn%25201900%2520gb.htm
  29. https://littlegun.be/collection%2520privee/belgique/be%2520fn/a%2520be%2520fn%25201900%25207.65%2520gb.htm
  30. https://www.reddit.com/r/ForgottenWeapons/comments/141oh7t/when_in_history_has_the_revolver_been_adopted_by/
  31. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GApT7IU0Pps
  32. https://www.imfdb.org/wiki/FN_Model_1900
  33. https://tsarnicholas.org/2025/08/30/the-assassination-attempt-on-lenins-life-by-fanny-kaplan/
  34. https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/FN_M1900
  35. https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/world-war-i-pistols-trench-sweepers-1/
  36. https://pre98.com/scottys-insights-on-collecting/
  37. https://www.turnbullrestoration.com/the-pistols-of-john-moses-browning/
  38. https://trueshotammo.com/academy/is-32-auto-good-for-self-defense/
  39. https://www.gunboards.com/threads/problem-with-safety-on-browning-1900.46269/
  40. https://ogca.com/nra-2025/m1900/
  41. https://pre98.com/shop/mon-mar-16-scarce-fn-model-1900-pistol-documented-with-fn-letter-factory-nickel-finish-shipped-july-1-1913-to-adolf-frank-co-hamburg-mint-viral-sale/
  42. https://truegunvalue.com/pistol/fn-1900/price-historical-value
  43. https://www.cashforarms.com/blogs/how-much-is-a-fn-m1900-worth
  44. https://live.lsbauctions.com/lot-details/index/catalog/7/lot/105/Pre-WWI-FN-Browning-Model-1900-32-ACP-Semi-Automatic-Pistol
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