Fabrique Nationale FN Browning 1900 like Remington Model 8 35 Cal Rifle C&R

SOLD FOR: $2525

LSB#: 230121RC016

Make: Fabrique Nationale, FN

Model: 1900

Serial Number: 2056

Year of Manufacture: 1910-1929

Caliber: 9mm FN, interchangeable with .35 Remington

Action Type: Long-Recoil, Fixed Magazine Fed, Semi-Automatic Rifle

Markings: The bottom of the receiver is marked with the serial number. The bolt is marked with Belgian proofs. The left side of the receiver is marked “FABRIQUE NATIONALE D’ARMES DE GUERRE HESTAL BELIGIQUE. / BROWNING’S PATENT DEPOSE.” and also has Belgian proofs. The base of the barrel jacket, under the forend, is matched and marked with the serial number. The forend is marked with the serial number.

Barrel Length: 22”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed into a base fixed to the front of the barrel jacket. The rear sight is a “U” notched elevator sight that is screwed to the barrel jacket.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with a rounded pistol grip, straight comb, and FN Browning shotgun-style buttplate. There are some thin hairline cracks at the rear of the tangs. There is a small chip loss on the right side of the wrist at the receiver. There are some scattered compressions, scuffs, and marks through the finish which have colored with age. The checkering is mostly intact and strong. The LOP measures approximately 14 1/2” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has some scattered light wear. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Refinished

Bore Condition: The bore is dark and the rifling is strong and well-defined but has rounded edges. There is erosion and pitting scattered throughout the bore. In my opinion, this bore is a 5 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 80% of its metal finish. There are some spots of light erosion under the new finish. There are some patches of finish loss and light erosion, most noticeable on the sides of the receiver and on the tangs. There is finish wear on the edges. There are some scattered scratches, most noticeable on the receiver. There are some scattered spots of light surface oxidation. There are some scattered areas of thinning and discoloration, an area of note is on the right side of the barrel jacket at the sling mount. There is a light dent on the bottom of the fixed magazine at the front. There are operational marks. The screw heads range from sharp to tool-marked with strong slots. The markings are eligible but rounded, some of the proofs are very light. Overall, this rifle is in about Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: The Remington Model 8 and FN 1900 rifles were the brainchild of John Moses Browning. Originally patented in 1900, the design was the first successful high-powered semi-auto rifle made, and it is no surprise the great J.M.B. was the designer. While Remington built the U.S. market version, Browning contracted with FN to build the European market model 1900s as he already had a good relationship with the firm who already produced many of his designs. The rifle is long-recoil operated and feeds from a fixed magazine. The Remington Model 8 was chambered in four different Remington rimless cartridges, they were the .25, .30, .32, and .35 Remington while the FN produced variant was only made in 9mm FN which for all intents and purposes is .35 Remington.

The 1900 models were offered starting in 1911 by FN retailers and were available as late as 1931-1932. Some believe that the rifles were mostly all built before the outbreak of WWI but there may have been a small parts clean-up run in the years following. FN only produced 4,913 of these rifles and they were never officially imported into the United States, there was really no reason to do so when Remingotn was selling the model 8. Considering the price of the 1900 was also $17 dollars more than a Grade III Model 8, it was a wise business decision to not spend the time or money importing them when Americans could get, effectively, the same gun with a different roll mark.

Compared to its sibling made by Remington, the FN model has a few differences, namely the markings, the more elegant looking bolt knob, the lower tang locking screw…and most have a rib. This is an already rare rifle made even rarer by not having a rib and is an early variant with the proofs on the left side. It looks nice and has strong mechanics. These rarely come around, so why not make number 2056 of 4913 a member of your growing collection? I would sure love to! This is a historic rifle produced by an iconic firm and designed by a true legend. Please see our photos and good luck!

Some are hot, some are not, but thankfully most can be shot!
-Red