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Make: Fabrique Nationale of Belgium
Model: Browning M1922
Serial Number: 36076
Year of Manufacture: 1946
Caliber: 7.65mm (.32 ACP)
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto Pistol with Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked, “FABRIQUE NATIONALE D’ARMES DE GUERRE HERSTAL BELGIQUE / BROWNING’S PATENT DEPOSE”, with “lion over PV” proofs and “star over G” proofs. The left side of the frame is marked with “lion over PV” proofs and “star over G” proofs. There is also a “6” with three sides of a square on the left side of the trigger guard. The right side of the frame, slide, and slide extension, the bottom of the slide, and the barrel at the port are marked with the serial number “36076”. The barrel at the port is also marked with a “lion over PV” proof, a “star over G” proof, some Belgian proof marks, and “CAL 7 m/m 65”.
Barrel Length: 4 1/2”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a rounded blade fixed to the top of the slide extension. The rear sight is a “V”-notch dovetailed into the top of the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered black hard rubber panels with “FN” in an oval at their tops. There is a notable chip in the bottom edge of the oval “FN” at the upper right grip panel. The grips have no other damage, only light handling marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good Condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mirror bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9.5/10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 92% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges. There are a few scattered light marks, the most notable of which is finish wear at the front of the slide extension. The action shows light operational wear. The screw head is tool marked with a strong slot. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about Fine to Excellent Condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The pistol has a magazine disconnect, a frame mounted safety, and a grip safety. We did not fire this pistol. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with 2x vintage original “FN / 765 M/M” marked 9-round magazines, one blued and one parkerized. They are in about Fine Condition, with minor operational wear, intact feed lips, and strong springs. Also included is a later-vintage Browning black leatherette case with a red felt lining and a brass zipper closure.
Our Assessment: The FN Browning Model 1922 was another classic design sprung from the fertile mind of gunmaking genius John Moses Browning. Based on his earlier Model 1910, the Model 1922 was “beefed up” to secure military contracts. The barrel was lengthened from 3.5” to 4.5” with a small but distinctive barrel lug, and the grip was lengthened to allow for a 9-round magazine. The Model 1922 was adopted by armies worldwide, from Yugoslavia to France, Turkey, Greece, and Romania, and when the Germans invaded Belgium and took over the FN plant, they increased production of the M1922 for issue to Luftwaffe personnel. Belgium was liberated by American soldiers in late 1944, and after the war, FN continued production of the M1922 for decades.
This Post-War Belgian FN Commercial Browning Model 1922 Semi-Auto Pistol was made in 1946 and is in Fine to Excellent Condition. It features a 4.5” barrel, 92% of its original blued finish, classic two-piece checkered black hard rubber grips with “FN” in an oval at their tops, clear markings, solid mechanics, a mirror bright bore with sharp rifling and no erosion, 2x vintage original “FN / 765 M/M” marked 9-round mags, and a later-vintage Browning black leatherette case. A wonderful FN Browning M1922 from the immediate post-war era.