FN Model 1903

The FN Model 1903 (M1903, FN Mle 1903 or FN Ml 1903), or Browning No.2 was a self-loading semi-automatic pistol engineered by John Browning and made by Belgian arms manufacturer Fabrique Nationale. It was introduced in 1903 and fired the 9 x 20 mm SR Browning Long cartridge. It should not be confused with the US-made Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless (in .32 ACP), nor with the Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammer (in .38 ACP), although they are based on the same mechanical design, which Browning sold to both companies (and others as well).

Due to its reliability, accuracy, light weight, and quick reloading, the M1903 was an issued sidearm for many police forces and militaries, including those of Estonia, Paraguay, Russia, Turkey, and Sweden (manufactured under license as the Husqvarna m/1907). The FN Mle 1903 was not, however, accepted as official sidearm of the Netherlands or Belgian army.

Many of these pistols were later modified in the United States, with a bushing in the chamber to fire the more common .380 ACP ammunition.

In the world of fiction, the FN Ml 1903 was used as a sidearm by British spy James Bond, in John Gardner's 1981 novel Licence Renewed. The pistol was depicted on the front cover of the first edition of the novel. By 1981 the pistol had been out of production for several decades (Swedish production ended in 1942), and following criticism from fans Gardner chose more modern designs for his subsequent Bond novels.

External links

• Modern Firearms

• Swedish m/1907 Pistol