Author Topic: handgun identification (Read 428 times)

ggardner · « **on:** March 27, 2005, 08:21:19 AM »

My neighbor has aquired a handgun from some old person who no longer wanted it in the house. He asked me to help ID it and find a reasonable resale price. I checked briefly on the web and have come close to an ID but not exact. Sorry I can not post a picture.

This weapon is a Belgium made Browning .380 semi-auto similar to a 1910 or 1922 model. There was no model number viewed on a brief inspection. The gun has nice adjustable sights, and black plastic Browning marked grips with a thumb rest. There is a back strap grip style safety and the mag. release is on the bottom of the mag. well. The previous owner said she purchased it about 1972 in near new condition and it still looks very fine. There is no blue wear except one small bright spot where the seriel number is posted on the inside of the grip. I would appreciate any information you may be able to provide. Thanks, Gary

oso45-70 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 27, 2005, 05:51:07 PM »

Gary,
Just guessing i would say it probably the 1910 fn mod. But not being able to see it makes it hard. It may be worth some where around 250.oo to 300.oo. If it is in fact a 1910 fn. they were good handguns, Sorry i can't be more exact. Hope this helps..............Joe..............

Mikey · « **Reply #2 on:** March 28, 2005, 01:45:10 AM »

Gary - I would have to agree with oso45-70 here in that it is a Browning, and most likely a Model 1922 in the 380 caliber. I don't think the adjustable sights came on the 1910s, which had a slightly different slide configuration. I had one of those once and they are great little pistols and bleieve it or not, pretty accurate with those sights. I have seen those at guns shows for around $300, plus or minus.

I think if you can go online and peruse a Shooters Bible from that era you would find a picture or description of it. If your neighbor is still interested in selling it, pm me. Thanks. Mikey.

Flash · « **Reply #3 on:** March 28, 2005, 11:25:28 AM »

What you have is a Standard 380. Magazine capacity is 6 shots, overall length is 7 1/16", barrel length is 4 7/16", weight empty is 23 oz., sight radius 6", Novadur Plastic thumb rest grips, adjustable sights, available in Standard and Renaissance, manufactured 1971-1975, $275 to $795

Vern Humphrey · « **Reply #4 on:** March 28, 2005, 01:37:44 PM »

The adjustable sights and thumb rest are the give-away. Under the Gun Control Act of 1968, the ATF developed a system that awarded "points" to a gun to determine if it was "suitable for sporting purposes."

The M1922 Browning didn't have enough points, so they added adjustable sights and a thumb rest grip to get a score high enough to allow them to be imported.