Hungarian Captured Serbian Browning M1910/22 Pistols

Serbian Contract Browning M1910/22 Pistol - Early Model

Also referred to as the M1922 or FN-1922 or the FN-22 Pistol
Hungary captured these pistols from Yugoslavia during WW2

Approx 8000 manufactured by Fabrique Nationale d'Armes de Guerre, Herstal-lez-Liege, Belgium, 1922
Blowback operated automatic pistol
Chambering: 7.65x17mm (.32ACP) or 9x17mm Short (.380ACP)
Overall Length: 178mm [7.01"]
Weight Unloaded: 670g [23.6oz]
Barrel: 114mm [4.49"] rifled, 6 grooves rh
Magazine: 7-round (7.65) or 6-rd (9mm) detachable box

In 1922 the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes were negotiating ordering 60,000+ Browning M1910-type pistols from FN. The 1st modification to the M1910 they requested a longer 114mm barrel.
The standard M1910 slide was reused, and a short tubular housing was attached to the M1910 slide to extend it to cover the longer barrel.
Approx. 8000 pistols were manufactured with the original M1910 length grip/magazine, referred to as the 'Early Model'.

The national crest of the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes was stamped into the top of the slide.

The right side of the slides were marked in Cyrillic: Voyno Drzhavni [Army State or War Department]

A few pistols were marked in Cyrillic: Oficirsky [Officers]. A rare find.

The left side of the slides were marked with the manufaturer's legend:
'Fabrique Nationale d'Armes de Guerre, Herstal, Belgique'
'Browning's Patent Depose'
Followed by Nitro proof and inspection marks.

The bolts were marked with typical FN style with plenty of inspection marks

Serbian Contract Browning M1910/22 Pistol - Standard Model

Also referred to as the M1922 or FN-1922 or the FN-22 Pistol

Approx 60,000 manufactured by Fabrique Nationale d'Armes de Guerre, Herstal-lez-Liege, Belgium, 1923-30
Blowback operated automatic pistol
Chambering: 7.65x17mm (.32ACP) or 9x17mm Short (.380ACP)
Overall Length: 178mm [7.01"]
Weight Unloaded: 730g [25.7oz]
Barrel: 114mm [4.49"] rifled, 6 grooves, rh
Magazine: 9-round (7.65) or 7-rd (9mm) detachable box

After the Early Models were delivered and tested, the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes requested that the magazine capacity of these pistols should be increased by 2. So the 7.65mm became a 9-rounder and the 9mm became an 8-rounder. The 60,000 pistol contract was signed in January 1923 and the new pistols were manufactured and shipped with longer and thicker grips and longer magazines. The slide of the Early Model was retained without a change for the Standard Model.
Most of the Serb M1922 pistols found by collectors are the Standard Models.

Hungary captured these pistols from Yugoslavia during WW2. The Hungarians did not gave a new designation to the captured pistols, unlike the Germans who called their captured M1922's P641(j).

The national crest of the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes was stamped into the top of the slide.

The right side of the slides were marked in Cyrillic: Voyno Drzhavni [Army State or War Department]

The left side of the slides were marked with the manufaturer's legend:
'Fabrique Nationale d'Armes de Guerre, Herstal, Belgique'
'Browning's Patent Depose'
Followed by Nitro proof and inspection marks.

The bolts were marked with typical FN style with plenty of inspection marks

Some of the later examples carry Yugoslavian acceptance marks on the trigger guard

Serial Numbering

   1 -  8000  -  Early Model   (Serial number range reported 5512 - 6380)
8001 - 68000  -  Standard Model   (Serial range reported: 8821 - 67703)

Please report updates.

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