[automan1]

FABRIQUE NATIONALE - Serial No. 53624a stamped on the right side of slide, receiver & barrel, waffenamt Eagle & WaA 140 stamped on left side of slide & frame. Finish is good quality with some tool marks and 97%+ condition. Magazine in gun has split floorplate with no markings (light snug fit).
Holster is black, stamped on front is Rog?ber Lederworen below it isOderKod?? (stamping on leather hard to decipher) and 97%+ condition. Magazine in holster has button release floorplate and stamped '7'.
I described them as best I could as I don't have a camera that will take small details.
If someone can give me information on any or all (4) questions below will be appreciated.
1 - What would be the year of manufacture of this P35 HP?
2 - Is the magazine in gun correct?
3 - Is the holster original or a reproduction?
4 - What would be the approximate value of these?
Any questions, feedback or information would be greatly appreciated as I would use it for my records.
Bill

 

[Lloyd in Vegas]

Bill,

You have a very common but still very collectible German Occupation FN M1935 High Power. The military acceptance stamp E/WaA140 is the most encountered of the German Army acceptance stamped high powers. There was close to a quarter million made with the fixed sight and the before mentioned military acceptance (waffenamt) code/stamp. These pistols were produced under difficult war expedient conditions so the fit and finish gradually deteriorates as the end of the war and heavy bombing grew more intense. Yours was produced about half way through the quarter million production count on this model. What kind of grips does your HP have? Wood or brown plastic were used. It is hard to pace a value on a HP or any collectible pistol without seeing it or examining some good pictures. If it is indeed in 97%+ condition and all matching to include the frame, slide and barrel and in good mechanical condition I would think with a holster the value would be in the $900 to around $1,100 in my neck of the woods. I bought one a few years ago at a show in Las Vegas (in the 69xxxa range) that is in 98%, all matching E/WaA140 accepted magazine and waffenamt marked/accepted very nice condition brown holster dated 1942 and I paid $800. Your pistol was produced in the time frame 1941-1944 but yours was probably produced late 1942 or early to mid 1943 I would say. It is hard to say exactly because most of the production records were destroyed. Someone else on this forum may be able to narrow it down better for you. Hope this helps some.

 

[cpw]

The magazine in the holster is not correct. It should be a split tail magazine. The button release magazines started to be used after WWII.

What does the holster look like?

Is there a date on the holster?

What is the WaA marking on the holster?

Lloyd is correct in his comments to the Hi-Power. As to date of manufacture, Lloyd is correct as no records of such are known to presently exist.

 

[cpw]

I recalled that I had a couple of images on this computer.

Does your holster look like this one:

Download Attachment: 1941-1a.jpg
59.28KB



Does it have these markings:

Download Attachment: 1941-3a.jpg
58.64KB

 

[automan1]

Lloyd
1 - It has checkered wood grips.
Charlie
2 - Holster construction is similar to a Luger artillery holster.
3 -Holster has no date or WaA stamp only the maker's stamp.
4 -Holster does not look like the one pictured.
I wish I could post pictures but I am a novice with camera and computer.
I really appreciate your feedback and very excited with this site as it is new to me.
Is there any additional information in relation for the (4) answers.

 

[cpw]

Perhaps it is "post" war - one that was used for the Hi-Powers that were in the West German police contract.

I could post images of other Hi-Power holsters, but they are rarer than the one I posted above and do not look like a luger holster.

Since the one I showed (except for markings) is the common WWII German Hi-Power holster, I would have to guess that the one you have is post war.

(The above could always change if I saw the holster.)

 

[automan1]

Charlie
The HP fits perfect in it and there is a stud closure on the top with a loop below it where the strap that is fastened on the bottom of the holster threads thru to secure closure to the stud.
Basically the design of the Luger holster pg. 175 of Weimar Lugers Volume V. J. Still
I'm really sorry I can't photos, as a said I don't have the equipment.
Thanks for your continuing interest in the holster.
Bill

 

[Orv Reichert]

Is this what it looks like?

Orv
http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfupload/holster1_copy7.jpg

 

[cpw]

Orv

That is the holster used with the Hi-Powers for the post war West German police contracts.

I have a coulple of units with matching holsters.

 

[Orv Reichert]

I own one, also...both mags and the holster are numbered to the gun...#56537...They came in prior to 1968 and sold for about $70 !!

Orv

 

[RockinWR]

Bill,
* Lloyd and Charlie give good council as to dates of 640(b) production. Pretty hazy with much dependent on Inspector WaA140(Zorn or Dorn?)'s arrival @ Leige and the S/N coinciding with the first appearance of his acceptance stamp on P.35(b)'s. This complicated by rate increases forced by a less benign German plant leader's arrival in 1942 and all the variability of a wartime manufacturing scenario.

* If you want to read some contemorary writings about DoM for "a" suffix Hi-Powers, try this thread: http://www.gunboards.com/luger/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1662&SearchTerms=browning

* A little light math will figure an approximate date..give or take a month. Probably late 2nd Qtr. of 1943 would be my guess.

* Trust this helps.

 

[automan1]

Orv
That is the exact holster that I have. Is it a reproduction? I purchased it in 1983 for $35.00.
Neither the magazine or the holster are numbered to the gun (no markings at all).
Looking forward for your information.
Thanks for your expertise & patience with me.
Bob
I tried the thread and it is very interesting. I will try some math and see what I come up with,
but I doubt that it will differ from the (2) suggested dates of manufacture.
It has checkered wood grips, split tail floorplate, bore is 96%+.
Is this sufficient information to proceed with the value of this HP.
Information and value are for my records only.
You guys make my collection exciting & interesting.
Awaiting your reply.
Bill

 

[Orv Reichert]

It is a postwar holster...made for the German Police. They were sold out a few years later along with all the guns and mags.

Many were 100% new with two numbered mags and the holsters were numbered to the guns, too!

I used to buy the holsters for $20-$30 at the time.

Orv

 

[automan1]

Orv
Thanks for the information on the holster, I appreciate it.
Bill

 

[cpw]

quote:Originally posted by Orv Reichert

It is a postwar holster...made for the German Police. They were sold out a few years later along with all the guns and mags.

Many were 100% new with two numbered mags and the holsters were numbered to the guns, too!

I used to buy the holsters for $20-$30 at the time.

Orv

The price has not elevated very much since the time you mention as the demand for this type of holster is not great. The one exception are the ones that evidence (added) WWII german markings. Some poor soul always spends a lot of money for these.

 

[automan1]

Charlie
Thanks for the information and patience with me on the holster.
Bill