Skip to main content
Help Center Community Shop

FN/Browning recognition help

jcbrown23602
Could anyone help me with the who, what, when, where of this? And value as it will soon be for sale. Thank you so much.

P1010040-1.jpg
P1010041-1.jpg
P1010042.jpg
P1010043.jpg
P1010044-1.jpg
P1010045-1.jpg
P1010036-2.jpg
P1010037-1.jpg
0

Comments

7 comments

Date Votes
  • rufe-snow
    Model 1922 Browning, dating I believe to the 1950's. Germany was still divided into various occupation zones. French, U.S., British etc. Bahnpolizei would refer to the German Highway Patrol in the U.S. occupied portion of West Germany.

    The photos aren't lighted well but it appears to be in excellent original condition. The various FN Browning military and paramilitary marked pistols, are collectable without a doubt. What this one would bring I haven't a clue, never ran across one before.

    Just dug out my Browning Book. I gave you some bum dope in my previous answer. Bahnpolizei refers to railroad police not highway patrol. The railroad police had 4671 1922 FN Brownings on their books in 1971. They were sold surplus in the late 70's, and should be marked with the U.S. importer/distributor mark if they were imported and sold legally. The 6 on the underside of the slide is DOM, i.e. 1956.
    0
  • amparts
    That is correct this is a post war M1922 pistol and one marked for the Train Police is not real common. These pistols were made and marked for many different countries and agencies. These pistols were sold out by the German Govt and many ended up in the Military Rod and Gun clubs where they could be purchased by military personal. Price at that time was usually around $35.00. Most such guns were returned by the troops without ever having import markings applied.
    0
  • jcbrown23602
    Do you see an import marking from the pictures? I wouldn't know one if I was looking right at it. Any idea what you think the price would be on something like this today per it's rarity and condition? Thanks all for your help! I love GB!
    0
  • 45er
    jcbrown,

    "Do you see an import marking from the pictures?"
    From your photos, I do not. Markings shown appear to be from manufacture-- proof/acceptance marks, what have you.

    "I wouldn't know one if I was looking right at it."
    Imported arms are stamped with the importer/distributors name or intial, i.e.: CAI--(Century Arms International), VEGA, Blue Sky, to give example of a few more modern companys.

    Many import pistols I've seen are stamped underside of barrel. Also, the import stampings fonts and/or language do not match up with the rest of markings. Have you field stripped it down? Doubtful, yet may be marked from easy view.

    Legitimate questions, which now put's me on a brainstorm to google around if there is a list of past/current importers and their markings somewhere's on the internet?
    EDIT Aha, here we go-- http://www.{burp}.com/showthread.php?t=31623
    or:
    http://www.northwest-denture.com/mauser1896/importmarks.html

    Hope this helps. Nice F.N., by the way. Sorry though, no idea of current selling value.

    45er
    0
  • rufe-snow
    On photo #7, (right side of slide). There seems to be marking(s) about 1 1/2 inches back from the muzzle, just past the serial numbered portion of the slide extension.
    0
  • jcbrown23602
    Yep it says "E.S.I. Milford, N.H." I guess that's the importer! When you started talking about importer I was looking for a sign like the proof marks but just plain jane words though it should have been common sense to me to see German all over it and then see English on it. Thanks you guys!
    0
  • tsr1965
    As for value, I just checked the auction side, and there have been none of those that have sold in the past two months. The highest bid has been $225.00. I would imagine that is a good indicator. There was only one that has sold in the past two months, and it was a very nice mint specimen, with all the extras, and it sold for 499.99.

    Best
    0

Please sign in to leave a comment.

Recent Activity