FN browning 1900 7.62

The FN/Browning Model 1900 is a compact, elegantly engineered early semi-automatic pistol designed by John Browning and produced by Fabrique Nationale (FN) starting at the turn of the 20th century. Chambered most commonly in .32 ACP (7.65 Browning) and occasionally in .380 variants, the Model 1900 introduced several innovations for its era — a simple slide/bolt assembly, a heel-type magazine release, and a reliable blowback action — all packaged in a slim, low-profile frame that favored concealability. Its clean lines, often bright blued or nickel finishes, and graceful walnut grips give it the refined look of a classic European pocket pistol.
Collectors prize the 1900 for its historical significance as one of the first practical and commercially successful self-loading pistols, and for the quality of Browning’s original design. Condition ranges widely: untouched, original examples with crisp finish and matching serials command collector premiums, while “dug up,” refinished, or mechanically-restored pieces are valued more for display or as restoration projects. If you intend to shoot a vintage 1900, have a qualified gunsmith inspect the bore, headspace, and firing mechanism first — period parts and metallurgy sometimes warrant conservative ammunition choices (avoid high-pressure loads). Properly cared for, an FN/Browning 1900 is both a handsome historical artifact and a pleasant reminder of early 20th-century firearms innovation.