Of course, it was an FN pistol in the hands of the Black Hand that ignited the Great War in the first place. In this installment of the Handguns of World War I, we look at the Fabrique Nationale pistols, including, the Model 1900 and Model 1903 pistols, used by the Belgian Army during World War I. How good were they? Here’s a hint: They were designed by John Moses Browning. If the Belgians were squared away on handguns, the same could not be said of the French. The standard French sidearm at the start of the war was the anemic 8 mm Modele 1895 double-action revolver. While the French dug the Modele 1873 (made more famous by Brendan Frazier in “The Mummy”) out of mothballs for use in the trenches, France relied on Spanish-made Ruby pistols for more firepower. And firepower is a relative term—these were .32 ACP copies of the Browning 1903. Know what a Ruby is? Better watch this.
For more American Rifleman TV segments, go to americanrifleman.org/artv.
Handguns of The Great War: Belgium and France
More like this from around the NRA
Latest
The Smith & Wesson Academy Reopens
One of the latest expansions at S&W's new Maryville facility is the addition of an entirely new training ground, the new home of the legendary Smith & Wesson Academy.
New for 2026: EAA Balikli BLK Bolt-Action Rifles
This year, EAA Corp. expanded its catalog with a new hunting rifle, the Balikli BLK bolt-action, which has high-end features for its price, as well as compatibility with broad aftermarket.
HOUSTON 2026 | The 155th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits
Exuberance was the defining spirit of the 2026 NRA Annual Meetings. More than 73,000 attendees packed the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston to celebrate 250 years of America, concurrent with 155 years of their NRA.
A Landmark Post-Bruen Alignment of the 2nd and 4th Amendments in Maryland
On June 4, 2026, the Appellate Court of Maryland ruled that law enforcement cannot stop and search a person merely because they see a gun—or the outline of one printing from a concealed holster.
Shotshell Basics: Understanding Payloads, Pressures & Performance
A shotgun can be supremely versatile, depending on how it’s loaded. Understanding how shotshells work is difficult, but crucial.
Rock River Arms Celebrates 30 Years in Business
While the company's beginnings go back to 1994, the Rock River Arms story officially started in 1996, meaning that it is celebrating 30 years in business in 2026.
Interests
SECTIONS
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
EXPLORE MORE NRA PUBLICATIONS
