FN 1922

[Greasemonkey]

Well I was digging...again, it happens, and I dug up a Browning 1922 in .32acp in the second variation near as I can figure. It looked mildly lonely, so I figured I'd drag it home. It's all matching, nice shiny bore, 8 shot magazine. It has it's original walnut grips, shows some holster wear. It has quite a few Nazi stamps and acceptance stamps. It's a hand gun that has long served many nations military and police forces for many years. A larger model, longer barrel and 2 more rounds in the magazine than the 1910, both models were available in .32acp and .380acp. The 1910 was available in the commercial market and military, the 1922 was only military/police, typically not found in commercial use.

[Phosphorus32]

Looks like a well worn war time pistol.  The lack of an import mark is a bonus.

Dang, I didn't have this on my list yet but it is now. Enabling mission accomplished   

[Donp236]

GM the MR stamp means the gun was assembled at the FN plant and WaA140 was used from 1942 until the FN plant was captured by the American Army in late 1944.

[Greasemonkey]

Ok.. another question...

What's the (H) stamp, one or two places I looked it says a test firing proof was an E HK left on the slide. Is it a different test firing proof? 

Is there a definitive way to date it, narrow down the date, as I understand, these had a pretty long production run?
Or is between 1942 and 1944 as close as one can get?

Looks like a well worn war time pistol.  The lack of an import mark is a bonus.

Dang, I didn't have this on my list yet but it is now. Enabling mission accomplished   

I wondered if it was a possibly a bring back, always that chance. And I'm so very glad I could help..Enable. 

[Loose}{Cannon]

These are very neat.... nice pickup!

[armedhippie]

Awesome find GM...Enabling at its finest!

[Donp236]

What's the (H) stamp, one or two places I looked it says a test firing proof was an E HK left on the slide. Is it a different test firing proof? 

Is there a definitive way to date it, narrow down the date, as I understand, these had a pretty long production run?
Or is between 1942 and 1944 as close as one can get?

GM the (H) stamp means the pistol was accepted was accepted by the Belgian Military stamp used from 1921 -1940.  the E is the FN inspectors stamp (August Jamart) 1924-1959 per Anthony Vanderlinden's book. It is also important to know if these letters are inside a square or a circle. Don't know about the HK stamp.

The Germans captured the plant in May of 1940.  The pistol was probably taken of a Belgian officer after capture. Anthony is on Jan Still's Lugar forum a lot  http://luger.gunboards.com/forum.php.  If you take it there he may be able to tell you more. After all he wrote the book on the FN Browning Pistols.