Need ID on FN Browning .25 automatic

[willshak]

I recently acquired an FN Browning .25 automatic. It's not in great
shape since it was stored in a basement for a decade or so.
I Googled for an identification and found similar models, but it doesn't
appear to be a Baby Browning, nor the Vest Pocket Browning.
Mine has a Lemon Squeeze grip, and no other safeties. The Serial number
is less than 100,000.
I need two questions answered.
1. What is the model name or number?
2. How do you disassemble the gun for cleaning?.

The pics of the gun are here. It has clear grips to check the ammo left
in the clip.
http://img709.imageshack.us/g/fnbrowning251.jpg/.

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[Robert Hankins]

Draw the slide back gradually; perhaps 1/2 " or so and at some point you
will be able to rotate the barrel 180 deg. At that point, the slide may be
drawn forward off the grip frame. This is a field strip procedure leaving
you with the grip frame, barrel; recoil spring. The grip frame may be
disassembled further to access trigger, sear, hammer etc but you do not need
to do this if reasonably rust free. Remove the grips from the frame and soak
the parts in kerosene overnight to dissolve the old grease, dirt oil etc,
the reassemble in reverse order.
Bob Hankins

[Ralf Bahr]

It is one of two different FN-Browning Mod. 1906.
I found it in the German Book "Pawlas - Taschenpistolen"
in the section 6,35 mm / .25 at number 185. The grips
seem to be newer/custom made, because in the good old
days the never used transparent resin (and without trade mark!).

To disassemble: remove the magazin, pull the slide a little back,
so you can turn the barrel clockwise and remove the slide by
pushing it forward. Take care of the bolt spring!
Now you can take the barrel out of the slide.

That's all!

[Steve W.]

willshak wrote:
# I recently acquired an FN Browning .25 automatic. It's not in great
# shape since it was stored in a basement for a decade or so.
# I Googled for an identification and found similar models, but it doesn't
# appear to be a Baby Browning, nor the Vest Pocket Browning.
# Mine has a Lemon Squeeze grip, and no other safeties. The Serial number
# is less than 100,000.
# I need two questions answered.
# 1. What is the model name or number?
# 2. How do you disassemble the gun for cleaning?.
#
# The pics of the gun are here. It has clear grips to check the ammo left
# in the clip.
# http://img709.imageshack.us/g/fnbrowning251.jpg/.
#

Looks like a Browning 1905 Vest Pocket with home made or custom grips.
http://usrange.org/smf/index.php?PHPSESSID=502196429e6fcb1b60fc92a758abec04&topic=3288.0

Same pistol was later made by Colt as the Model 1908 Vest Pocket pistol.
http://jamesazacharyjr.blogspot.com/2009/09/colt-model-1908-vest-pocket-25-acp.html

The later Baby Browning was based on this pistol.

--
Steve W.

[willshak]

Ralf Bahr wrote the following:
# It is one of two different FN-Browning Mod. 1906.
# I found it in the German Book "Pawlas - Taschenpistolen"
# in the section 6,35 mm / .25 at number 185. The grips
# seem to be newer/custom made, because in the good old
# days the never used transparent resin (and without trade mark!).
#
# To disassemble: remove the magazin, pull the slide a little back,
# so you can turn the barrel clockwise and remove the slide by
# pushing it forward. Take care of the bolt spring!
# Now you can take the barrel out of the slide.
#
# That's all!
#

Thanks, that worked.

[willshak]

#
# Looks like a Browning 1905 Vest Pocket with home made or custom grips.

# http://usrange.org/smf/index.php?PHPSESSID=502196429e6fcb1b60fc92a758abec04&topic=3288.0
#

Yes, that appears to be the same model.

I do not know if the grips were after market or homemade, but by the
quality, they do fit the frame handle exactly, including a raised part
on the back that fits into the large hole in the handle. I would suspect
after market.
http://yfrog.com/evfnbrowning253j
The brown you see is not rust, but exaggerated colors the camera produced.

[Rubaiyat of Omar Bradley]

You might find this manual useful

http://cgi.ebay.com/Browning-1905-Auto-Pistol-Cal-9mm-Manual-Catalog_W0QQitemZ370354499378QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVintage_Hunting?hash=item563ad92f32

[willshak]

willshak wrote the following:

# I recently acquired an FN Browning .25 automatic. It's not in great
# shape since it was stored in a basement for a decade or so.
# I Googled for an identification and found similar models, but it doesn't
# appear to be a Baby Browning, nor the Vest Pocket Browning.
# Mine has a Lemon Squeeze grip, and no other safeties. The Serial number
# is less than 100,000.

# I need two questions answered.
# 1. What is the model name or number?
# 2. How do you disassemble the gun for cleaning?.
#

# The pics of the gun are here. It has clear grips to check the ammo left
# in the clip.
# http://img709.imageshack.us/g/fnbrowning251.jpg/.
#

I found the right model.
It is a 1906 (early) FN made by
FABRIQUE NATIONALE d'Armes de Guerre Herstal Belgique
http://www.vestpockets.bauli.at/archiv/fn061r.jpg
The difference between the early, and the middle and late 1906 models,
is that the early does not have a slide safety lock on the left side.

--

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
In the original Orange County. Est. 1683
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