FN Browning, 1922, German

[Blind Hog]

One of two C&R pistols recently acquired.

This past weekend acquired what may be an interesting German occupation Browning 1922.

Pistol is serial number 74687, 7.65 m/m and bears the three waffenamts used during their production of the 1922 pistol. Left frame is marked eagle/swastika test proof, eagle/WaA613 and eagle/WaA140, FN in square on trigger guard. Left slide is marked eagle/swastika test proof and eagle/WaA140 beneath and to right of the "Browning' Patent Depose" legend and there is eagle/Wa? to the left. No matter how hard I try cannot make out the number. Underside of slide is serialed 74687. The barrel is serialed 74687 and marked eagle/swastika test proof, eagle/WaA140 and eagle/WaA103.

Pistol also came with holster which is the leather/vinyl type and reserve magazine. Both magazines are marked FN in oval/7.65 mm, one is eagle/WaA marked the other not. Holster bears no acceptance or manufacturer's marks, but is marked inside the flap is marked "Nur fur lange Browning Pistole Kal. 7.65 mm".

With all these eagle/WaA used on this pistol, I wonder where this pistol fits in the 1922 production. I would think that this is a somewhat unusual pistol given all these eagle/WaA marks.

[rugerwheels]

A pretty rare pistol I think. You have probably noted in Jan Still's "Axis Pistols" that the "7.65mm High-Polish Blue Variation" serial range 20000 to over 200000 have E/WaA613, or E/WaA103 or E/WaA140, with (generally) E/WaA613 up to early 25000 range, E/WaA103 up to about 54000, thereafter E/WaA140, and "A very few pistols are reported on which all three stamps were used". Sounds like the old parts bin explanation applies to these and yours is one of them. Nice addition to your collection.