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The FN Model 1910 was a blowback-operated, semi-automatic pistol designed by John Browning and manufactured by Fabrique Nationale of Belgium.
History
The FN Model 1910 was a departure for Browning. Before, his designs were produced by both FN in Europe and Colt Firearms in the United States. Since Colt did not want to produce it, Browning chose to patent and produce this design in Europe only. Introduced in 1910, this pistol used a novel operating spring location surrounding the barrel. This location became the standard in such future weapons as the Walther PPK and Russian Makarov. It incorporated the standard Browning striker-firing mechanism and a grip safety along with a magazine safety and an external safety lever (known as the "triple safety") in a compact package. Offered in both .380 ACP (six-round magazine) and .32 ACP (seven-round magazine) calibers, it remained in production until 1983.
An FN M1910 chambered in .32 ACP was the handgun used by Gavrilo Princip to assassinate Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria in Sarajevo on June 281914, arguably precipitating the First World War.
Variants
A variant of the Model 1910 was known variously as the Model 1922 or 1910/22. This was a larger model with a longer barrel, slide extension, and a longer grip frame to accommodate an extra round. This model was aimed at military and police contracts and many examples were produced for various agencies.
In 1955, the Browning Arms Company introduced this pistol for the American market as the Model 1955. Made in Europe, this model was virtually identical to the European model except for the markings. Importation ceased in 1968 due to the passage of stricter gun-control laws in the U.S. Another version, the Model 1971, featured a longer barrel and slide, adjustable sights, a finger-rest magazine, and enlarged 'target' grips. These features were intended to circumvent the Gun Control Act of 1968 which had halted import of the Model 1955.
References
"FN Model 1910"