Intro
Discover the legendary Browning pistols that played a significant role in World War II. From the iconic Hi-Power to the compact M1910, explore five notable Browning pistols that shaped the wars firearms landscape. Learn about their development, features, and impact on military history, including their use by Allied and Axis forces.
The Browning firearms have been renowned for their exceptional quality and reliability, particularly during World War II. John Moses Browning, the founder of the company, was a prolific gun designer who created some of the most iconic firearms in history. Here, we will explore five notable Browning pistols that played a significant role in World War II.
The Browning Hi-Power: A Legendary Pistol
The Browning Hi-Power was designed by John Browning and completed by Dieudonné Saive, a Belgian firearms designer, in the 1930s. This pistol was the first to use a double-column magazine, which increased its capacity to 13 rounds. The Hi-Power saw extensive use during World War II, particularly among British and Commonwealth forces.
Design and Features
The Browning Hi-Power featured a single-action trigger, a hammer, and a manual safety. It had a 4.75-inch barrel and weighed approximately 32 ounces unloaded. The pistol was chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum and was renowned for its accuracy and reliability.
The Browning M1910: A Compact Pistol
The Browning M1910 was a compact pistol designed by John Browning in the early 20th century. It was chambered in 7.65x17mmSR and 9x17mmSR cartridges and featured a single-action trigger. The M1910 saw limited use during World War II, primarily among officers and military police.
Design and Features
The Browning M1910 had a 3.5-inch barrel and weighed approximately 20 ounces unloaded. It featured a manual safety and a magazine capacity of 7 rounds. The pistol was known for its compact size and reliability.
The Browning M1935: A Belgian Pistol
The Browning M1935 was a pistol designed specifically for the Belgian military in the 1930s. It was chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum and featured a single-action trigger. The M1935 saw limited use during World War II, primarily among Belgian forces.
Design and Features
The Browning M1935 had a 4.75-inch barrel and weighed approximately 30 ounces unloaded. It featured a manual safety and a magazine capacity of 13 rounds. The pistol was known for its reliability and accuracy.
The Browning M1903: A Swedish Pistol
The Browning M1903 was a pistol designed specifically for the Swedish military in the early 20th century. It was chambered in 9x20mmSR and featured a single-action trigger. The M1903 saw limited use during World War II, primarily among Swedish forces.
Design and Features
The Browning M1903 had a 4.5-inch barrel and weighed approximately 26 ounces unloaded. It featured a manual safety and a magazine capacity of 7 rounds. The pistol was known for its reliability and accuracy.
The Browning BDA: A Belgian Pistol
The Browning BDA was a pistol designed in the 1970s, but its roots date back to World War II. The BDA was chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum and featured a double-action trigger. It saw limited use during World War II, primarily among Belgian forces.
Design and Features
The Browning BDA had a 4.5-inch barrel and weighed approximately 30 ounces unloaded. It featured a manual safety and a magazine capacity of 13 rounds. The pistol was known for its reliability and accuracy.
WW2 Browning Pistols Image Gallery
What was the most widely used Browning pistol during World War II?
+The Browning Hi-Power was the most widely used Browning pistol during World War II.
Which Browning pistol was designed specifically for the Swedish military?
+The Browning M1903 was designed specifically for the Swedish military.
What was the caliber of the Browning M1910 pistol?
+The Browning M1910 pistol was chambered in 7.65x17mmSR and 9x17mmSR cartridges.
We hope this article has provided you with a comprehensive overview of the notable Browning pistols used during World War II. If you have any further questions or would like to share your knowledge, please feel free to comment below.