[Guest]

I picked up a Browning Hi-power. I have enclosed some Pics. I ran some search engines and found some Hi-power web sites. I even found one that said it could date the pistol by the serial number. However, My serial number doesn't match what they have. The serial number is in the 39,000 block. What do I have? How old? The blueing is an easy 97%, the slide matches the frame. It came out of a veterans estate from his nephew who wanted the cash. It also came with some VPT ammo dated 1944!!!! Can someone here help me out? Is it a military sidearm? Any information would be great!! I also posted over on the Gunbords forum. Mig.



Download Attachment: Hipower1.jpg
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Download Attachment: HIpower2.jpg
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Download Attachment: Hipower3.JPG
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Download Attachment: Hipower5.jpg
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Download Attachment: Hipower7.jpg
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Download Attachment: Hipower8.jpg
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[cpw]

What is the serial number on the barrel?

Could you post pictures of the full pistol & the front of the grip?

 

[Guest]

Here are three more pics. I have not broken the pistol down. Where would the serial number be on the barrel? Mig.

Download Attachment: Hipower9.jpg
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Download Attachment: Hipower10.jpg
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Download Attachment: Hipower11.jpg
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[cpw]

Ther (barrel) serial number is either on the side of the barrel visible through the ejection port, or on the reverse side of the barrel.

 

[Guest]

Well I broke it down and the barrel does match. There are more proofs on the barrel link. There are two R R stamps and one P. the other side has a 2 in a square and a upside down A. So what do I have???!!!! Thanks for the help Mig.

 

[aaron]

I would guess this is a postwar Austrian police contract.

 

[cpw]

Your pistol appears to be early post war. It is in the serial number range from which the Austrian and West German Police contracts were drawn. Also pistols from this serial number range were sold on the commercial market, and also were marked with the Silesia, Akah, Geco & Norris markings.

I do not believe that it is Asutrian since you did not mention that there was any markings on the front of the grip. Very possibly it could be from the West German Police contract. Many of these pistols were imported into this country in the lte 60's and early 70's. (It was at this point in time that the Germans were again allowed to manufacture the P-38 and they wanted domestic firearms which is understandable.)

Originally these were imported with two matching numbered magazines and a matching numbered holster. Some did appear with a matching box instead of the holster.

 

[axl]

Would you extend the courtesy to try and provide info on mine? Its a commercial type, non ring hammer, Belgium made, the sn is "a" prefix
stamped only on the front grip strap. It has the external extractor. Fixed sights, same type take down lever as one previously shown. What got my attention was the reference to the front grip markings. Thanks

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the info!!! Mig.

 

[cpw]

quote:Originally posted by axl

Would you extend the courtesy to try and provide info on mine? Its a commercial type, non ring hammer, Belgium made, the sn is "a" prefix
stamped only on the front grip strap. It has the external extractor. Fixed sights, same type take down lever as one previously shown. What got my attention was the reference to the front grip markings. Thanks

Do you have a photograph of the fron grip markings? If so, that would really help.

 

[axl]

Sorry, not available. The top of the sn is toward the trigger guard, it is about 2" in length, sn is A
2
5
9
6
2
4
7
The 7 is about 1" above the magazine well. Once again, its on the front grip strap. Thanks

 

[cpw]

Immediate post WWII Hi-Powers had an "A" prefix but this did not appear on the front of the grip. I have seen the "T" prefix serial number on the front of the grip, in the manner as yours. But the "T" prefix only has six digits.

Unfortunately I do not know of a "A" prefix - seven digit serial number (on the front of the grip) as I have not seen a Hi-Power with that typw of marking.

FN did sell Hi-Powers to many countries and did use special contract serial numbers. It is possible this is true with yours.

I wish that I could have been of more assistance.

 

[axl]

Thanks for the reply. Will attempt to get photos in a week or so. Thanks again.

 

[cpw]

I did have some other questions. Are there any serial numbers on the frame and barrel? What other types of markings are on the pistol?

 

[axl]

No sir, no numbers anywhere else, just on the front grip strap. The left side of the slide has the Browning logo, other than a couple of standard proof marks nothing else on it. That's why I was leaning toward commercial. I found a 1944 Nazi HP I want so I most likely will send this one on down the line.

 

[cpw]

quote:Originally posted by axl

No sir, no numbers anywhere else, just on the front grip strap. The left side of the slide has the Browning logo, other than a couple of standard proof marks nothing else on it. That's why I was leaning toward commercial. I found a 1944 Nazi HP I want so I most likely will send this one on down the line.

When you say that it has the Browning logo, do you mean that it says "Browning Arms Company" or is it the "FN" logo? (Both were made by FN)

 

[axl]

Browning Arms Company. Two small proofs, one on front right trigger guard, other on barrel with "9m p"