[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello.

I am curious as to the year of manufacture on some old FN 9mm Short ammunition I came across. It is manufactured by FN in Belgium according to the box and the cartridge headstamp is FN and a star.

On the side of the box is printed a likeness of Mr. Browning's signature, "J M Browning." On another is the word, "Oxyless". On the inside is what appears to be a lot number. It is "3051".

Any information would be appreciated.

Best.

 

[Guest]

My best guess:

Post-war commercial, perhaps 1950's or 60's, but could be earlier, or somewhat later. The cosmetic style of the box is about all you have to go on, unless somebody happens to be familiar with this specific stuff. The marketing emphasis on J. Browning suggests it might be of pre-war age, but the cosmetic style of the box looks post-war to me. Certainly, the condition of the box indicates that it's been kicking around for a long time, easily decades.

. . . . all semi-educated guessing.



(Yes, I'm cursed with collecting vintage handgun ammo also :'(.)

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello and thanks for your observations and ideas. It is appreciated.

Best.

 

[Josh Smith]

Mr. Camp,

Caliber 9mm short

25 New Cartridges

The word in red means "tight." I'm not sure how that translates. It's French.

National Manufacturer of Weapons of War

Herstal: A group of ballistics people

Liege: University in Belgium

Oxyless means non-mercuric.

No luck yet on the lot number.

Josh <><

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello and thanks very much.

Best.

 

[Josh Smith]

I have 4 boxes of 25 rounds each Boxes are reg, yellow, black and green,
stamped "made in Belgium" on the bottom. All printing is in
French: 25 CARTOUCHES ORIGINALES BROWNING 9m/m Court ESTANCHES FABRIQUE
NATIONALE D' ARMS DE GUERRE, (??)HERST AL-LIEGE Aleternate
sides: EXIGER LA SIGNATURE John Browning (in script) Top
side: OXYLESS Bottom side: Pistolet Browning (graphic of auto
pistol) Cal. 9m/m court Are these collectable? Any other
info? Thanks, Cigarman

Your cartridges are 9mm Browning Short, the same cartridge as the .380 Auto
in the US where it was developed by Colt. The ammo isn't very collectible,
but the boxes with the pistol pictured should be of interest to an
automatic pistol collector or someone wanting a nice box to display with
their Browning M1910 or M1922 pistol. If you want to sell a box, or trade
one for collectible ammo, please let me know. Guy H.

http://www.cartridgecollectors.org/f/reply.php?id=842,853

Josh <><

 

[Josh Smith]

Mr. Camp, looks like you need a "new" Browning pocket pistol!

Josh <><