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Winning Bid US $1500 First bid $1500 Quantity 1 # of bids 1 Time left Auction has ended   Started 2025-10-29 00:00:00 Ended 2025-11-21 22:35:25

RARE FN (Fabrique Nationale), Model 1900, .35 Rem Cal., MFG. 1910-36, SN: 121, 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 very likely that SN 121 is a first 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 in total FN production. 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 John & his son 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 world-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 8's. 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. These take-down rifles were often broken down into the 22'' & 20'' halves & placed into travel cases for train rides into the countryside for hunting. 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 6 point 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. LOP on this rifle is 13 7/8''. The stocks original condition is very good, with honest use wear & some thinning to the original finish. The finish has darkened a bit in areas of the stock, with some smoothing to the points of the hand cut checkering. There are also minor to small handling scuffs, scratches & contusions. The barrel carries a solid matted rib, which carries the front & rear sights. The rear sight is the original two position flip sight, but it has been moved rearward towards the receiver approximately 2'' & a blank fills the original dovetail. The original metal blue finish rates 85% on the barrel, 75% on the receiver, with blue thinning most on the magazine. There is spotting & some cleaned light pitting or abrasions mostly found on the left side of receiver & mag. There is also a dent on the bottom of the magazine, along with some abrasions. The left side of the receiver carries the factory roll stamp & proof markings. Matching SN's on the receiver, barrel, side of lower tang, bottom channel of stock & inside of forend. Bore is excellent & bright. The stock carries the early FN serrated buttplate, with some minor edge chipping. Factory sling loops. Tight action & all appears to function as it should. Overall, the rifle has a very nice vintage & original appearance, which is highly collectible as a rare & early 1st year 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 # 4191 This auction is over. No new bids can be placed. Price: US $1500

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