Rare, Unconverted Husqvarna Model 1907 Rig

Description

7/24/26 - This is a rare example of a Swedish Husqvarna Model 1907 pistol rig that remains unconverted in its original chambering. The origin story of these handguns dates back to the early 1900s, when they were designed by John Browning and produced by Fabrique Nationale under the designation of Model 1903. FN had already been licensed to produce Browning’s .32 caliber pocket hammerless for the European market, which is why this pistol closely resembles an oversized Colt Model 1903. Several European countries wanted a larger service pistol based on the same FN design that could accommodate the more powerful 9x20mm Browning Long cartridge, prompting FN to lengthen the barrel to five inches and add a slide stop on the right side of the frame. Sweden officially adopted the pistol as their military sidearm in 1907, initially importing them directly from FN. However, after Germany captured the FN factory in 1914, Sweden procured the licenses to produce the pistols domestically at the Husqvarna factory starting in 1917. Production continued until 1940, when the Lahti took over as the preferred sidearm. Tucked away by the Swedish military for decades, many of these surplus pistols eventually hit the export market and were sleeved to .380 ACP for commercial sale in the States. What makes this specific example so desirable is that it escaped that modification. It remains in its original 9x20mmSR chambering and lacks any aftermarket importer marks.

This pistol features the mid-production Type 3 slide legend, which displays only the Husqvarna factory name and omits the earlier Browning patent text. The rear of the frame bears a crisp Crown over G.B. stamp, the inspection mark of Husqvarna Inspector Carl Gustaf Bjorkenstam. The crown marking, without initials, can also be seen on the left side of the trigger, on the muzzle end of the barrel bushing directly above the bushing stop, and a couple other places internally. This is a fully matching example, with the full serial stamped externally on the right side of the frame, while the final three matching digits are stamped internally on the barrel, barrel bushing, sear, and hammer spring. The sandblasted bluing is common on the vast majority of Husqvarna-produced examples, and typically indicates arsenal refurbishment at the Husqvarna factory post-WWI. This example appears to be all correct and is in remarkably well-preserved condition, retaining about 97-98% of its finish. The pistol shows some finish loss around the muzzle face along the edges of the barrel bushing, a couple areas of operational wear/runner's marks along the high edges of the slide flats, the contour where the slide and frame meet, and the underside of the slide. The front and rear sights also show light finish loss around their perimeters, which does not affect functionality or sight picture. The black composite grip panels are unnumbered but do appear original, and they remain in excellent shape, with sharp checkering and highly defined Husqvarna crown logos. Bore is minty, with very minor signs of use. The blowback action cycles smoothly and functions beautifully. Completing this scarce, unconverted military rig are three original magazines and a beautifully preserved, proper standard military brown leather flap softshell holster, distinctly marked with a Swedish Crown over "I 17" and "No 108" on the front flap to denote issue to the 17th Infantry Regiment.

From their Colt design origins through later FN-produced evolutions, these pistols have carried a remarkable sense of history. They achieved immediate success, narrowly beating out the Luger in the finals of the 1904 Swedish trials to become their military sidearm for the next four decades through the adversity of two world wars. Wading through oceans and across continents for roughly 100 years of ebbs and flows to finally get back to where it all started with the M1903. This pistol has a story worth exploring, and finding an example in unmolested form is extremely rare, making this unconverted Husqvarna Model 1907 Rig a fantastic addition to practically any collection.