FN Model 1903
Overview
 
The FN Model 1903 or Browning No.2 was a self-loading semi-automatic pistol engineered by John Browning
John Browning
John Moses Browning , born in Ogden, Utah, was an American firearms designer who developed many varieties of military and civilian firearms, cartridges, and gun mechanisms, many of which are still in use around the world...

 and made by Belgian arms manufacturer Fabrique Nationale. It was introduced in 1903 and fired the 9 x 20 mm SR Browning Long cartridge
9mm Browning Long
The 9 mm Browning Long is a military centerfire pistol cartridge developed in 1908 for the 9 mm Browning pistol adopted by Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and Sweden...

. It should not be confused with the US-made Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless
Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless
The Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless is .32 ACP caliber, self-loading, semi-automatic pistol designed by John Browning and built by Colt Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company of Hartford, Connecticut...

 (in .32 ACP
.32 ACP
.32 ACP , also known as the .32 Automatic is a pistol cartridge. It is a semi-rimmed, straight-walled cartridge developed by firearms designer John Browning, initially for use in the FN M1900 semi-automatic pistol...

), nor with the Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammer
Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammer
The Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammer was a short-recoil, semi-automatic pistol, designed by famous American arms designer John Browning. It was a compact version of the Colt Model 1902 Sporting Model pistol derived from the original M-1900...

 (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
Service pistol
A service pistol is any handgun issued to military personnel.Typically service pistols are revolvers or semi-automatic pistols issued to officers, non-commissioned officers and rear-echelon support personnel for self defense, though service pistols may also be issued to special forces as a backup...

 for many police forces and militaries, including those of Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...

, Paraguay
Paraguay
Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the...

, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...

, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...

, and Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....

 (manufactured under license as the Husqvarna
Husqvarna Vapenfabriks Aktiebolag
Husqvarna Vapenfabriks Aktiebolag was a Swedish firearms manufacturing company in the town of Huskvarna by lake Vättern.-History:...

 m/1907
).
 
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