Fabrique Nationale FN Browning 1900 like Remington Model 8 35 Cal Rifle C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,625.00
LSB#: LSB250802TS055
Make: Fabrique Nationale, FN
Model: 1900
Serial Number: 4615
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 beaded blade dovetailed to the barrel jacket rib. The rear sight is a flip U/u notch block dovetailed to the barrel jacket rib. The barrel and receiver have scope bases.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with a rounded pistol grip, fluted straight comb, and FN Browning shotgun-style hard rubber buttplate. There are some thin hairline cracks at the rear of the tangs. There is a small chip loss on the left side of the wrist at the receiver which has been filled. There are some scattered compressions, scuffs, and marks through the finish which have colored with age. The checkering is mostly intact and strong. The bottom of the forend has a large crack. The LOP measures approximately 14 5/8” 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 Poor – Fair condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is strong though rounded. There is light to mild erosion. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 6.5/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its current 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 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 as refinished.
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: This rifle comes with its attached leather sling.
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 Remington 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, such as this example. These rarely come around, so why not make number 4615 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! – L.S.
