Originally known as the “Nouveau Model”, this pistol is now known as the 1910 model.

First produced commercially by Fabrique National (FN) in Belgium in 1910, the pistol featured a lugged barrel surrounded by a recoil spring, slide safety, grip safety and magazine safety. Extensively copied as the original and modified, especially by the Spanish gun makers. Sold throughout the world commercially, this was also a standard police pistol in Japan, Sweden, Denmark and other countries. There was a service manual in Japanese.

The model was first exported commercially to the U.S. in 1954. Importation of a modified model continues today, in .380 caliber only. Exported to Canada in both .32 and .380 calibers.