Browning FN 1910 The Gun that Started World War 1

The FN Model 1910 was the handgun used by Gavrilo Princip to assassinate Archduke Ferdinand in Sarajevo on June 28th, 1914.
The FN Model 1910 was initially designed for the Kingdom of Serbia. In 1913, a purchase order for 235 Model 1910 semi automatic pistols was made by the Serbian National Army. The purchase was made for the 1st and 2nd Timok infantry divisions of the first army.
1910/1922 pistols went on to see extensive service in World War Two, and continued to be manufactured by the Germans after their occupation of Belgium and seizure of the FN factory. These examples carry Nazi production stamps, and most have simple chequered wood grips instead of the earlier horn or plastic grips bearing the FN logo.
While appearing as early as 1910, the Model 1910 was not introduced to market until 1912, resulting in the gun sometimes being referenced as the "Model 1912". One major improvement of the new design over the previous Model 1900 was in the mounting of the recoil spring set around the barrel assembly, this helping to streamline the overall appearance of the gun and making for a lighter and more compact design to handle. The Model 1910 took on a conventional look, with the magazine well doubling as the angled pistol grip. The solid trigger unit was set within an oblong trigger ring while a safety lever was mounted within easy reach, its placement just aft of the grip near the thumb. If chambered for the .380 ACP, the magazine could accept up to 6-rounds in the spring-loaded magazine. If chambered for the .32 ACP, the magazine could accept up to 7-rounds of ammunition. The magazine was inserted into the base of the pistol grip and spent shell casings were ejected from a right-mounted ejection port just above the trigger unit. The Model 1910s system of operation was "blowback" as a semi-automatic, self-loading design. Along the upper portion of the grip was the identifiable "FN" company logo (or "Browning" depending on marketed model). Sighting was accomplished by way of notch and post iron sights. Overall length of the Model 1910 was 153mm with an unloaded weight of 590g.
The assassins themselves were almost all captured within weeks. Their trial took place in October 1914, three months into World War I. Despite many of the defendants testifying that they acted independently of Serbia, the court ruled that the Serbian government was complicit.
Most of the defendants were found guilt. Three hanged. Čabrinović and Princip could only be sentenced to 20 year in prison, the maximum prison term for defendants under the age of 20 at the time of their crime. However, both men would later die of tuberculosis while in prison.
Once Princip had been apprehended, his pistol was, for unknown reasons, given to the Jesuit priest who administered the last rites to Ferdinand and his wife. The Jesuits eventually turned over the gun to the Vienna Museum of Military History.

[@OldManMontgomery]

Yes, I am pedantic. NO, that is not a Browning pistol. It is a model 1910, designed by John Browning and manufactured by "Fabrique Nationale de Armes du Guerre" (National Manufacturing of War Weapons) in Herstal, Belgium. (Still around, called FN.) As a firearms company, Browning did not exist until around 1955. One notes the severe wear on the right grip panel and the much lesser wear on the left panel. For a right handed person - typically the majority in this era - the holster is mounted on the belt with the right side out. Having the left grip inboard would protect the checkering and finish on the left side a bit better. That pattern is observed on all sorts of 'working' handguns practically forever. On the positive side, Yes, I would like to have one. I collect select pistols of the pre WW2 era (at least designed then) and the FN1910 is high on my desired list. I do have an FN1910/22, but it isn't quite the same. And I quite agree with Mr. Collins (prior to me), Browning designs are outstanding. John M Browning was a genius in his craft, and is quite as important to firearms as Dr..Einstein was to Physics.

[@jimcollins2466]

All Browning's are outstanding! I have owned several. A pity you can not own a working model. No problem here in USA! Best Wishes!

[@IansOddInterests]

Amazing weapon. So tactile. The engineering of it also. Yes, it is a shame in U.K. that all weapons are, I think many people say destroyed through the deactivation process but it’s the only way for ordinary folks to own historically recent guns. Have a great 2023 👍

[@高景星-h7y]

操**的不要在那邊戰士9種拿出來😅😅

[@IansOddInterests]

Don’t forget to subscribe lol… before 2025 I will have 40 people

[@stansfieldmcelroy]

a personal favourite pistol of mine, just got a spare magazine in the mail for mine today

[@IansOddInterests]

Fascinating that it can be traced, I didn’t realise that was possible to do that. Now a nice WW1 German Luger to add to this one would be great or a British Webley lol. .. but might have to save up for those two. However this was a great bargain at the time that I could not refuse. Hope you get to trace yours.

[@SLG-jt1rd]

i have the m1922 version. mine specifically was made under Nazi supervision with waffenamts.

[@IansOddInterests]

It would be interesting to look into the company during WW2 , I’d never thought of doing that. So yours must be nazi or eagle stamped I guess. Very interesting.

[@SLG-jt1rd]

@@IansOddInterests and it has a few different modifications done to it the grip is longer to accommodate 9 rounds the barrel is longer to give it extra punch. Since nazi germany was running low on materials they cut corners where they could mine has wooden grips it’s funny to me because the wood has no finish on it mine was late in the production line.

[@treseancann1261]

“One day the great European War will come out of some damned foolish thing in the Balkans." Otto von Bismarck tried to warn us.

[@IansOddInterests]

Yes , he sure could foresee the future .. that combined with a load of stupid alliances , ..the stupid thing was , if France and invaded Belgium instead of Germany in 1914 we would have fought France!! The U.K. only went to war in 1914 to protect Belgium from any invader!!! Bonkers…should have left Germany, Russia and France to fight it out and the U.K. stayed out of it

[@treseancann1261]

@@IansOddInterests Also, Germany was too stubborn to renew the Reinsurance Treaty.

[@xthee_0nly_1x11]

Thanks for sharing Ian. Very informative.

[@IansOddInterests]

No problem, glad you enjoyed it . 👍👍👍

[@МатвейМалинин-щ4ф]

Почём куплен?

[@IansOddInterests]

Меня интересует Первая мировая война, и я хотел пистолет, с которого началась эта война, в которой погиб эрцгерцог Фердинанд Австрийский. Menya interesuyet Pervaya mirovaya voyna, i ya khotel pistolet, s kotorogo nachalas' eta voyna, v kotoroy pogib ertsgertsog Ferdinand Avstriyskiy.

[@МатвейМалинин-щ4ф]

@@IansOddInterests Да я понимаю, что это изувеченный макет, не подлежащий восстановлению и спрашиваю только о стоимости его покупки. Или что-то не так?

[@IansOddInterests]

@@МатвейМалинин-щ4ф Привет. Я купил пистолет в 2005 году. На военной ярмарке в Великобритании примерно за 70 фунтов.