FN model 1922

Pistol is a polished, blued steel with stamped markings on the left side that read, "FABRIQUE NATIONALE D´ARMES DE GUERRE HERSTAL BELGIQUE BROWNING'S PATENT DEPOSE." On the right side of the frame are serial number stampings on the frame, slide, and chamber.

  • OCLC #: 1020307183
  • Physical Location: Pritzker Military Museum & Library — Safe — REALIA 04014
  • Production, Publication, Distribution, Manufacture, and Copyright Notice: Herstel, Belgium : Fabrique Nationale, [1941?]
  • Physical Description: 1 pistol : steel and wood, 7.65 x 17 mm caliber ; 18 cm in length
  • General Notes:
    • Title taken from: FN Browning pistols: sidearms that changed U.S. History by Anthony Vanderlinden.
    • Date range based on research into WaA103 markings which make it likely that the pistol was manufactured in 1941.
    • Pistol is chambered in 7.65 mm Browning Short, also known as 7.65 x 17 mm Browning SR, and as .32 ACP.
    • During World War II, the FN factory was captured by the Germans and continued to produce FN Model 1922 pistols, first with pre-war parts that were on hand, and later with parts that were made during German occupation of Belgium. Model 1922 pistols manufactured during the German occupation have special German inspector markings: WaA613, WaA103, and WaA140.
    • Serial number is 47899
    • Many of the stampings on the left side of the frame have been filed off, however, the remnants of several Nazi eagles and the marking, "WaA103" can be seen, indicating (along with the serial number range it falls within) that this particular pistol was produced while Belgium was occupied by Germany.
    • There is what appears to be an "MP" stamped on the left side trigger guard.