Well after several attempts over the years to acquire a 1900 it arrived today #3498.
Luckily the bidding war was short as I was once again up against my limit.
Complete disassembly, inspection, lube and assembly. All is great condition. Bore cleaned up very nicely.
She is all matching #s down to the bolt release.
Sir, I know that feeling of finally getting ahold of an FN 1900. It took me many years to get mine. Congratulations on your new rifle. It looks like it is in great shape. I had a chance to buy another one at Tulsa last November, but couldn’t afford it after buying some rare Winchester rifles and a S@W victory. I’ve been sorry ever since. Good luck with it and be proud of it. It’s quite an accomplishment to get one here in the states.
Thanks for your time
Roger
Thank you Hibby, it now has a place beside its M8s and 81 relatives.
I do have do have a couple questions that may be answered here.
The FN barrel nut is quite different, longer and with no hole for removal tool. The spring is also shorter.
I have attached pic.
I noticed the barrel nut was different in the photo's. I can't comment on what a factory one's length is, i do know they had a hold though.
The length of spring, springs up some question though. I can't gauge how much shorter the one in your gun is. My opinion is that it may be a bit too short. I'll let the 1900 experts follow with their expertise.
chas1949
Nice rifle !!! I almost thought about making a run at it because it's much nicer than the one I found. I think you got it for a good price as well !! They made the bore sound awful so glad it cleaned up for you. Great Score ! John Taylor
Yes I was a bit skeptical as what I might find with regard to bore. Not perfect, a little dark but cleaned up quite well and should shoot just fine.
I do hope the experts here have some info on the barrel nut and if I should just use one of the M8 35 cal nuts I have.
The nut came off with my fingers and the bushing came right out easily. The rifle is rust and corrosion free.
You know these rifles have storied histories, most of it unknown to us today. The barrel nut is a replacement for sure, perhaps this happened during the time it was refinished, but again who knows. I've never measured FN springs, but my guess would be that their length's are identical or close to 35Rem springs in Model 8's.
This gun was previously unknown until lock-stock listed on gunbroker.
our good friends over at S&S Hunt Club always post the best pictures in their auctions. This is from an FN from years ago they sold. Here's the barrel assembly components...
Cam,
Thank you for your input. I do agree the barrel nut is not original but did like the finished look it gave the muzzle.
I have just finished replacing the barrel nut and spring with those 35 Rem spares I had. All other parts were correct.
The spring I replaced showed that the coils were somewhat compressed when compared to other 35 cal spring. I believe this explains the difference in spring length.
chas1949 wrote: ↑Fri May 12, 2023 8:33 am
Thank you Hibby, it now has a place beside its M8s and 81 relatives.
I do have do have a couple questions that may be answered here.
The FN barrel nut is quite different, longer and with no hole for removal tool. The spring is also shorter.
I have attached pic.
Upon dissambly, I checked the length of my recoil spring on my new to me FN. My spring length comes up shorter than the Model 8 spring too. I imitated recoil with each separately on the barrel outside the shroud and the spring strength seemed/felt the same.
Perhaps the standard length of the recoil spring on the 1900's is shorter than that of the 8's & 81's?
Could this possibly be because of a difference in the ammo produced at the time for these overseas. Lower pressure ammo like our 7.62x51 nato ammo vs commercial .308 ammo.
chas1949 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 16, 2023 8:24 am
Could this possibly be because of a difference in the ammo produced at the time for these overseas. Lower pressure ammo like our 7.62x51 nato ammo vs commercial .308 ammo.
Unfortunately, i can't comment on that.
My spring was between 1.5" - 2" shorter than a spare on the shelf.
I'm happy it went to a forum member, enjoy your 1900.