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Winning Bid US $1725 First bid $1500 Quantity 1 # of bids 3 Time left Auction has ended   Started 2025-05-07 00:00:00 Ended 2025-11-21 22:35:25

RARE FN (Fabrique Nationale), Model 1900, .35 Rem Cal., MFG. 1910-36, SN: 418, Semi-Auto Rifle, 22'' barrel, In Belgium it was known as ''La Carabine Automatique Browning'', in Germany it was the ''Selbstladebchse Browning Kaliber 9mm'', but in the U.S. we know it simply as the F.N. 1900. Records indicate only 4,913 Modele 1900's were ever produced. While records indicate 2909 rifles were produced for the years 1910-21, with no allocation to a particular year during that time, it is likely that SN 418, a rifle in the first 10% of production, is a first or 2nd year production rifle. This rifle, invented by John Browning, was one of Europe's first successful semi auto high-power rifle. FN obtained the rights to produce the rifle as early as 1902, however, they chose to focus their production efforts on the A5 shotgun, which they acquired production rights to at the same time. They correctly viewed greater consumer sales potential in the A5. By 1904 restrictive importation tariffs into the U.S. caused Browning to negotiate with FN to allow manufacture of his shotgun within the U.S. The Remington Arms Co. was eager to work with John Browning & acquire the rights to manufacture both his autoloading shotgun & his autoloading rifle. FN was first to introduce the long-recoil shotgun (A5), but it was Remington that first produced John Browning's long-recoil rifle in 1906, dubbed the ''Autoloading Rifle'' or more commonly known today as the Model 8. If the Remington Model 8 is the grandfather of American semi-automatic sporting rifles, the F.N. 1900 is its European twin. The FN model 1900 was marketed throughout the world except the U.S., while the model 8 was intended for the U.S. market. Production comparisons place the model 8 at around 70,000, nearly a 14 to 1 difference. Since the FN was not sold in the U.S. market, few examples of the limited 4913 total produced are found amongst collectors in the U.S. It is known that some were vet bring-backs from two World Wars & at least a few were imported by Val Browning into the US. Since the FN was exported to Canada, some have made their way south of the border. Regardless of how they arrived, they are rare & very desired amongst John Browning, FN & Remington 8 & 81 collectors. Produced with old-world craftsmanship, these rifles are a testament to Fabrique Nationales word-wide reputation for manufacturing high quality firearms. It doesn't take long to notice there were probably more hours of labor involved in producing the FN over the Remington. A close inspection & disassembly of both rifles will reveal a significantly superior fit & finish with the Belgium made version, even over early production Model 8s. The FN came in two versions, neither of which were a higher grade than the other. One version had a standard barrel jacket like the Model 8, the other a solid barrel rib running the length of the jacket, which is the case with this example. However, the rib on this particular rifle is smooth on the top rather than matted & has two attachment screws, one on either end of the rear sight. These take-down rifles were often broken down into the 22'' & 20'' halves & placed into travel cases. The rifle has an English walnut round knob pistol grip stock & schnabel tip forend. Hand cut factory checkering is 20 lines-per-inch, with the early 1st style forearm checkering pattern. All hand fit & assembled, to that point stocks do not always interchange one rifle to another & factory LOP can vary by as much as a full inch. The stocks original condition is very good, with honest use wear. There are a few very small areas of wood fill on the stock, which carries a combination of original finish & likely some added finish long ago. The finish has darkened on the stock, with both finish wear & smoothing to the points of the hand cut checkering. There are also minor to small handling scuffs, scratches & dings. The barrel carries a solid rib, & although it appears original to the gun, it has a smooth upper flat rather than the typical matted rib & it carries two mounting screws, one near each end of the rear sight. The rib carries matching barrel blue which appears original & carries the correct front sight. The rib also has the wider cut rear dovetail for the original two position flip sight, although that sight has been replaced. The original metal blue finish rates approximately 75% overall, with blue thinning most on the magazine & spotty areas of wear & scratches. The left side of the receiver carries the factory roll stamp & proof markings. Matching SN's on the receiver, barrel & forend, but stock was is so tightly fit to receiver it could not be removed without great exertion & therefore we could not verify typical SN markings on inside lower channel of stock & side of lower tang on the receiver. However, there is no reason to believe they are anything but matching to the rest of the rifle. Bore is excellent & bright. Barrel is fitted with a replacement King adjustable rear sight & original front sight. The stock carries the early FN serrated buttplate, with a LOP of 13 3/8'', which is approximately 1'' shorter than most, although it appears the length as it left the factory. Replaced, but vintage sling loops. Some denting to the belly of the magazine. Tight action & all appears to function as it should. Overall, the rifle has a very nice vintage appearance & is highly collectible as a rare & early production rifle. FFL or C&R Req. - Value: 3000 to 4500

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Price

RARE FN (Fabrique Nationale), Model 1900, .35 Rem Cal., MFG. 191... Item # 4137 This auction is over. No new bids can be placed. Price: US $1725

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