WWII German Luftwaffe FN Model 1922 (Model 626(B)) Pistol. c. 1941

This is a fine condition, WWII German Luftwaffe issued Fabrique Nationale Browning Model 1922 Pistol, known by the Germans as the Model 626(b), in 7.65 mm caliber, which is all matching. This pistol was manufactured in 1941.

The Fabrique Nationale (FN) Browning Model 1922 pistol bears the distinction of being developed strictly at the request of a FN customer, the "Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes" (later known as Yugoslavia), which had been created at the end of WWI from the territories previously controlled by the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In the early 1920's the Yugoslav military was in shambles. The Serbs, forming the majority of the new Yugoslav state, had been an important FN client since the beginning of the firm, in the 1880's, and decided to turn to the Belgian firm for their war materiel needs. Initial considerations for the new Yugoslav service handgun were the FN Models 1903 and 1910. The Model 1910 gained favor because of its relatively economical pricing and 9mm Browning Short cartridge. While the Model 1910 performed well in the evaluations, it had some shortcomings as a military pistol. The Yugoslavs requested a longer barrel for better accuracy, as well as increased magazine capacity.

The design problem was turned over to the FN Bureau d'Etudes (Research and Development Office). The Bureau d'Etudes realized the Yugoslavs could not afford the expense of developing and tooling for a new pistol. Consequently, a series of modifications to the Model 1910 were proposed that would save considerably on tooling and start up production costs. A forged steel cap was added to the 1910 slide in order to accommodate the longer (113mm as opposed to the 1910's 88mm) barrel, the frame was lengthened to accommodate the longer magazine, and a lanyard ring was added. The engineering was complete by 1922, and the Yugoslavs placed an order for 60,000 pistols on February 28, 1923.

FN produced the Model 1922 for several nations in the post-WWI era, but it ended up being at the behest of the occupying Germans that this and other Model 1922 Pistols would be produced for the Third Reich, particularly for the Luftwaffe as it is a generally smaller firearm and comfortable to carry for aircrews. After the Germans occupied Belgium in 1940, FN continued production of the Model 1922, which they designated the Pistole 626(b) for the 7.65mm version, and Pistole 641(b) for the 9mm Short version. As noted, the primary user of the FN Model 1922 Pistol during WWII was the German Luftwaffe, but it was also offered for commercial sales (without Waffenamts) for war factory security personnel and some police forces.

Those Model 1922 Pistols that were accepted for German military used one of three Army Weapons Office (Waffenamt) inspector markings. The first Waffenamt was the WaA613 stamp, which was used from May 1940 until early 1941, and will be found on approximately 6,300 Model 1922 pistols manufactured prior to the German invasion. The second Waffenamt was the WaA103 stamp, which was used from early to late 1941, and is found only on the 36,000 7.65mm pisotls within the 24,000 to 60,000 serial number range. These pistols will typically contain some pre-invasion components and retain their pre-war commercial high-quality standards. This particular pistol is one of those with the second Waffenamt. The last Waffenamt is the WaA140 stamp, which was used from late 1941 until the liberation of Belgium in 1944, which is found on approximately 325,000 7.65mm pistols. Serialization under this Waffenamt runs from approximately 67,000 to around 155,000 in late 1943, when the serialization of Model 1922 Pistols changed to the German military numbering system. In this system for Model 1922 production, the Germans used blocks of 100,000 with a one-letter suffix. In late 1944, serial number stampings were simplified with the full serial number appearing only on the slide, with the last four digits appearing on the frame.

This particular pistol is serial number 55759, which places it in the later part of 1941 production using the WaA103 Waffenamt stamp.

The Frame on this pistol retains 95% plus of its original blued finish with wear noted on the friction points. The left side of the frame, at the trigger guard web, has the sans serif “R” FN inspection stamp. Just above the trigger is the correct Eagle/WaA103 Waffenamt below a Third Reich military proof stamp. The Trigger retains 95% plus of its original blued finish. The Safety Catch retains 98% of its original blued finish and works correctly. The front and rear walls of the magazine well retain 95% of the original blued finish. The Magazine Catch retains 95% of its original blued finish and operates correctly. On the bottom of the frame, on either side of the mag well, is a closed-top “4” stamp and a “0” stamp. The front grip strap retains 98% of its original blued finish. The Grip Safety retains 90% of its original blued finish, which now exhibits a plum patina, and it operates correctly. The right side of the frame, at the trigger guard web, has the boxed “NOT ENGLISH MAKE” stamp, indicating this pistol was imported into the United Kingdom, probably after the war. Above the trigger is the serial number “55759” stamp. The barrel shroud and barrel lug recesses retain virtually all of their original blued finish. The Trigger Bar and Sear both remain correctly in the white. Both original checkered plastic grip panels are present, and both are in very good condition with no cracks or chips noted and moderate wear to the checkering. The stylized “FNC” portion of both panels remains strong. The original Grip Screw retains the majority of its original blued finish with a slightly marred slot.

The Slide is in fine condition, retaining 95% of its original war-time blued finish with areas of finish loss and old corrosion staining on the rear portion. The left side of the Slide has the standard FN roll stamp, “FABRIQUE NATIONALE D’ARMES DE GUERRE HERSTAL BELGIQUE / BROWNING’S PATENT DEPOSE.” Just below the “NATIONALE” stamp in the legend is the correct German Eagle/WaA103 Waffenamt stamp. Below the “DEPOSE” stamp in the second line is the Third Reich military proof stamp followed by another Eagle/WaA103 Waffenamt stamp. The right side of the slide, just forward of the serrations, is the British crown over “V” proof stamp. The Rear Sight retains the majority of its original blued finish. The Extractor remains correctly in the white. The right side of the slide, just forward of the slide serrations, is the British “crown” proof stamp. The bottom of the slide has the matching serial number “55759” stamp. The Breech face remains in fine condition retaining considerable original blued finish and exhibiting normal operational wear. The Firing Pin Spring remains in the white. The Firing Pin retains generous traces of its original blued finish with moderate friction wear noted. The Firing Pin Spring Follower, which is frequently missing in Model 1922 Pistols, is present, and it remains correctly in the white as does the firing pin spring.

The original Recoil Spring remains correctly in the white. The original Barrel remains correctly in the white and is in very fine condition. The right side of the barrel has the full matching serial number “55759” beneath the Third Reich proof stamp. Below the serial number are two British crown over “V” and “NP” nitro proof stamps. The left side of the chamber has two Eagle/WaA103 Waffenamt stamps. The bottom of the chamber has the FN inspection stamp, which is a sans serif “MR” stamp, along with a “7” in a circle stamp. The bore of the barrel is in fine condition with a mirror finish, crisp rifling, and only minor, isolated frosting in places in the lands and grooves.

The Slide Extension is in fine condition retaining 95% of its original blued finish with holster wear on the very forward portion. The right side of the extension has the matching serial number “55759” stamp. The Slide Extension Catch retains the majority of its original blued finish with holster wear noted on the serrations. The integral Front Sight Blade retains virtually all of its original blued finish.

This pistol comes with its original FN Magazine. The Magazine is in fine condition, retaining the majority of its original early blued finish. The lower right side of the magazine has the stylized oval with “FN” logo in the middle over “7.65mm” stamp. On the upper spine of the magazine is the eagle/WaA103 Waffenamt. The follower remains correctly in the white, as does the follower spring.

This is a very fine and scarce WWII German-occupied production of the FN Model 1922 Pistol, which was issued to the German Luftwaffe during the war. This pistol was subsequently brought back to the United Kingdom, undoubtedly by a British serviceman, after the war. This Pistol functions perfectly.