[cpw]

What is the serial number on the barrel?

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

 

[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.

 

[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.

 

[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.

 

[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.

 

[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?

 

[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)