The Belgian pistol that changed history through the hands of revolutionaries and world leaders

Wars & Conflicts · Published 15 October 2026 · Updated 25 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Designed by John Browning in 1898, the FN M1900 was the first production handgun to feature a slide. While it became a global icon for its reliability, its legacy is defined by its frequent role in high-stakes political assassinations and its surprising survival in the hands of global figures.

The FN M1900 emerged from a period of financial instability at Fabrique Nationale de Herstal. Following a failed legal battle with Mauser and a loss of military contracts, the company was forced to diversify. A pivotal meeting between FN sales manager Hart O. Berg and John Browning in 1897 secured the rights to manufacture Browning's innovative pistol designs. The initial version, the M1899, saw roughly 14,400 units produced before feedback from the Belgian military led to the refined M1900 model in 1900.

The M1900 introduced several mechanical advancements, including a reinforced frame, a cocking indicator, and a slide lock for easier maintenance. Its compact design and reliability made it a favorite for both official use and clandestine activities. Beyond its technical success, the pistol gained notoriety for its presence at the center of 20th-century geopolitical shifts. It was used in the 1904 assassination of Governor-General Nikolay Bobrikov in Finland, the 1909 killing of Japanese Resident-General Itō Hirobumi in Korea, and the 1918 attempt on Vladimir Lenin’s life by Fanny Kaplan.

The reach of the M1900 extended far beyond political violence. It was a personal sidearm for U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, who kept one in his bedside drawer, and it was likely carried by Fifth Officer Harold Lowe during the 1912 sinking of the Titanic. The design’s influence persisted for decades, with North Korea producing a variant known as the Type 64 as late as the 1960s. By the time production ceased in 1911, FN had manufactured approximately 725,000 units, cementing its status as a foundational piece of modern firearm history.

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