Need Info on a FN .25 auto pistol
My father gave me what appears to be a very old .25 caliber auto. It is marked "Fabrique Nationale D'Armes de Guerre Herstal-Belgique" and "Brownings Patent", and "Despose". The serial number is 314730. It also has some strange markings on the slide and frame, appears like a stick figure? with a line over the letters "PV", and a star over the letter "B". Can someone tell me how old this pistol is, and maybe an idea of its value? Thanks!
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Made between 1903 and 1959, 1,086,100 made, depending on condition 100.00 to 300.00 
"A wise man is a man that realizes just how little he knows"0 -
Second variation Browning Vest Pocket Pistol, Model of 1906.
The markings are Belgian Proof Marks. If your pistol has a grip safety it was made prior to 1932, when the "BABY" Model with a manual safety was brought out.
1, "Stick Figure", Perron/Tower Mark of Leige, "View Mark"
2, "Lion Over P. V", "Nitro Proof Mark"
3, "Star Over Letter B", "Individual Inspectors Personal Stamp"0 -
If this is a "Vest Pocket" Model 1906 (often called the 1905) there are a number of variations and the value depends a lot on exactly which pistol you have as well as general condition. What kind of shape is this gun in- excellent, fair, poor? Is this pistol fitted with a grip safety? If it has the grip safety is there and additional safety lever/slide lock on the rear left side of the frame below the grasping grooves for the slide? If there is no grip safety and instead a safety lever on the left side near the trigger, you have the "Baby" model and these were produced from around 1930 up until around the early 1980's. FN marked "Baby's" are not too common here in the States. The serial number you provided could apply to either pistol type. More information is needed to accurately identify your pistol and place a value on it
Mark T. Christian0 -
Thanks for all the info! At the back of the grip there is a length wise 'button' that has to be squeezed along with the trigger to fire, is this what you call a grip safety? Also, this gun has a safety lever that fits into a slot in the slide, on the left just above the grip. I would say this gun is in VGC, it isnt rusty and seems to have a smooth action. Again I appreciate all the info! 0 -
Great gun. I have one with the grip safety only. It was taken from a German Officer three days after he was in prison camp. This was his boot gun. It's worn, but works great and the history is wonderful.
A real piece of history.
Jay0
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