The stock market crash changed FN’s plans to put the Baby Browning in production, and the decision was made to delay it until the economy improved. The Melior pistol beat the Baby Browning to market and was introduced in 1929. FN had owned the Browning trade name since 1907 and named it the “Baby Browning,” although John Browning had passed away and was never involved in the project.Īt the time, the idea of small 6.35 mm pistols was trickling over to Belgium and the Robar company was also involved in developing its version, the Reduced Size Melior ( Modèle Réduit) pistol. He conceived the model around 1927, and FN planned to start production in 1929. It was not a serious threat to the sales of the FN Browning Model 1905, but FN’s Chief Designer, Dieudonné Saive, took on the initiative to design a smaller and slimmer 6.35 mm pistol. Pistols like the August Mann, Walther Model 9 and Menz Liliput entered the export market. Collectors refer to early pistols without slide safety as the first type, while those with slide safety are called the second type.Īfter World War I, a movement started in Germany to conceive even smaller pocket pistols. The FN’s slide safety was added around 1909. It is one of the few times Colt’s influenced FN production. Fabrique Nationale took note and added a slide safety on its Model 1905. Colt’s integrated the slide safety of John Browning’s earlier prototype for the Model M (Colt’s Model 1903). While FN strictly adhered to John Browning’s designs, Colt’s took a more liberal approach, adding or modifying features on production pistols. Both were conceived from the same Browning prototype. Fabrique Nationale did not copy the Colt Model 1908 as is often reported, nor did Colt’s copy FN’s pistol. Prior to that year, the cartridge was only known by its European designation of 6.35 mm, however once Colt’s got the model to market, the cartridge became known as the. This was the first Browning design that would be shared by both companies.Ī size comparison between the Model 1905 Vest Pocket pistol (bottom) and the significantly smaller Baby Browning (top).Ĭolt’s followed suit and launched its version, the Model N, in 1908, and it is commonly referred to as the Colt Model 1908. As agreed, FN forwarded the prototype to Colt’s. Colt’s quickly asked John Browning to forward his prototype. Colt’s had been trailing FN in commercial sales of Browning pistols. This did not go unnoticed across the Atlantic. It was the third Browning pistol model manufactured at FN. While women did use these holsters, they were predominately made to protect men’s vests.įabrique Nationale d’Armes de Guerre in Herstal, Belgium, did not hesitate to put the small Model 1905 on the market, expanding on the successes of the FN Browning Model 18 pistols. The clasp of these small holsters gave it the name of “coin purse holster.” With this term arose the modern misconception that these were women’s accessories. The holster kept oil from getting on business suits, and it kept coins from hitting the pistol. Pocket pistols created a market for a much-needed accessory, and small fitted chamois holsters were manufactured and supplied by many outfitters.
The FN Browning Model 1905 with vest pocket holster Vests and coats used to be standard business attire: each vest had two small pockets, one for a watch with chain and fob, another for coins. The name was appropriate, as the pistol is a perfect fit for the small coin pocket of a gentleman’s vest.
Dealers often distinguished it from the FN Browning Model 1900 by cataloging it as Modèle de Poche (pocket pistol). In Europe, it is more commonly known by the year it was introduced as the Model 1906).
In the United States, it is often referred to by its patent year, Model 1905. The small pocket pistol was first patented in 1905 and production started in 1906. The FN Browning Model 1905, Model 1906, and Vest Pocket are all terms denoting the same model. Collectors and dealers frequently confuse the FN Browning Vest Pocket, Baby Browning, Model 1905, and Model 1906 pistols by misidentifying two distinct FN Browning pistols.
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