Browning Model 1922 (Model 1910/1922)

Semi-Automatic Pistol

Belgium | 1922

"The Browning Model 1922 design was born of a specific Yugoslavian semi-automatic pistol requirement and based on the existing Model 1910."

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 05/06/2021 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Left side profiel view of the Browning Model 1922 semi-automatic pistol

In 1923, the Yugoslavian authorities contracted the Belgian concern of Fabrique Nationale to develop a semi-automatic pistol firing from an eight-round magazine and sporting a 114mm long barrel for accuracy. FN took to reworking their existing Browning Model 1910 (also FN Mle 1910) and lengthening the barrel as such and increased its magazine capacity from seven rounds to eight, extending the pistol grip as a result. The end-product was nothing more than a dimensionally different Model 1910 to suit the Yugoslavian requirement, featuring a longer slide and equally lengthened grip handle. The remaining features of the Model 1910 were left largely intact including the solid trigger facility, ribbed slide sides and iron front and rear sights. The Model 1922 relied on a striker based firing mechanism through the blowback principle and was fitted with a grip safety at the grip rear spine. The weapon was designated as the "Browning Model 1922" but would also become known by the name of "Browning Model 1910/1922". The pistol appeared in two distinct forms chambered for the 9x17mm Browning Short (.380 ACP) cartridge and the 7.65x17SR Browning (.32 ACP) cartridge.

With its introduction during the interwar years, the Model 1922/Mle 1922 inevitably went to war during World War 2. It was adopted by several European powers (for military and police use) in the time leading up to war and these included Holland, Greece, Romania, France, Denmark and Finland. After Belgium fell to the German invasion, FN factories continued output of the Model 1922 though this time for their German overseers. These production models were applicably stamped with German markings to indicate their fate and were introduced in 1940 under the designation of Pistole 626(b) - the "b" signifying their Belgian origins, common practice for the German Army inventory concerning captured weapons. The Pistole 626(b) was largely issued to Luftwaffe personnel as a standard sidearm.

The Model 1922 saw service through the end of the war in 1945 and after. It was further issued to West German troops following the division of Germany in the post-war world. Several attempts were made in the 1950s by the Browning Arms Company (established to market John Browning's military-minded designs to civilians) to bring the Model 1922 to a broader audience. This created the Browning Model 1955 and Browning Model 1971 designations within time.

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Physical
The physical qualities of the Browning Model 1922 (Model 1910/1922). Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

178 mm
7.01 in
O/A Length

114 mm
4.49 in
Barrel Length

1.61 lb
0.73 kg
Weight

Blowback
Action

9x17mm Browning Short (.380 ACP); 7.65x17SR Browning (.32 ACP)
Caliber(s)

9-round detachable box magazine
Feed

Iron front and rear
Sights

Performance
Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Browning Model 1922 (Model 1910/1922). Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

9
Rounds-Per-Minute
Rate-of-Fire

875 ft/sec
267 m/sec
Muzzle Velocity

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Browning Model 1922 (Model 1910/1922) Semi-Automatic Pistol family line.

Browning Model 1922 - Base Series Designation

Browning Model 10/22 - Alternative Designation

FN Model 1922 - Alternative Designation

Pistole 626(b) - German Luftwaffe Designation

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Browning Model 1922 (Model 1910/1922). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national small arms listing.

Contractor(s): Fabrique National d'Armes de Guerre (FN) - Belgium / Browning - USA

[ Belgium; Denmark; Finland; France; Greece; Holland; Nazi Germany; West Germany; Romania; Turkey; United States; Yugoslavia ]

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Image of the Browning Model 1922 (Model 1910/1922)

Left side profiel view of the Browning Model 1922 semi-automatic pistol

Design Qualities
Some designs are single-minded in their approach while others offer a more versatile solution to requirements.

PISTOL/SIDEARM

Recognition
Some designs stand the test of time while others are doomed to never advance beyond the drawing board; let history be their judge.

Military lapel ribbon representing modern aircraft

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 2

Going Further...
The Browning Model 1922 (Model 1910/1922) Semi-Automatic Pistol appears in the following collections:

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