Need info on WWII German marked Browning Hi-Power

WWII German marked Browning Hi-Power

I'm not quite sure where to go for info on this one. A friend has a WWII German marked Browning Hi-Power he's interested in selling. I am trying to get him some information about the pistol's history along with some idea as to value. This was apparently a "bring back" from his father, along with some Lugers, medals etc. The Hi-Power, holster, extra mag, 2 Iron Crosses and a belt buckle are the only items remaining from the original items his dad had aquired.

I'd very much appreciate any info, including significance of the markings, estimates as to value, and any other web sites where I can get info on this one. The gentleman wants to sell all of the items shown together.

I know nothing about this one. Sadly, it's not in the best of condition with a lot of finish wear, some surface rust etc.

Thanks in advance for any and all assistance you folks can provide.

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Originally Posted by kikokat

WWII German marked Browning Hi-Power

I'm not quite sure where to go for info on this one. A friend has a WWII German marked Browning Hi-Power he's interested in selling. I am trying to get him some information about the pistol's history along with some idea as to value. This was apparently a "bring back" from his father, along with some Lugers, medals etc. The Hi-Power, holster, extra mag, 2 Iron Crosses and a belt buckle are the only items remaining from the original items his dad had aquired.

I'd very much appreciate any info, including significance of the markings, estimates as to value, and any other web sites where I can get info on this one. The gentleman wants to sell all of the items shown together.

I know nothing about this one. Sadly, it's not in the best of condition with a lot of finish wear, some surface rust etc.

Thanks in advance for any and all assistance you folks can provide.

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I am not sure where I read it but the SS favored the Hi-Power. If I can find the post I will link it.

As far as Nazi marked high Powers go, that one is rather better than most. Generally, they seem to have survived w/ very little finish. I'm also guessing it's one of the earlier occupation mfg'd weapons, as it's not as roughly made as many. The '42 dated holster seems appropriate. If there's bringback papers or other documentation, that would help, but I think it's a really nice bit of kit. Price? :dunno: Not cheap, but not multi-thousands either, only because they were pretty common some years back.

Thank you for that information. As I mentioned, I have no frame of reference for evaluating these pistols.
It would appear from what I'm told that the pistol and holster could have been issued together based on serial # and markings. Also, both mags have the WaA140 marking. In addition, one has a "R" stamped on it, and the other a small rectangle with 2 very small markings inside....I don't have the gun in front of me, and the owner can't make out the markings....any ideas as to what they might be/mean? I'll post some pics when I can see the pistol again.
Thanks again,
John

IIRC you gotta be a little careful with those when no supporting documentation is available, there was a time when people were putting lots of fake waffenstamps on various items to try to boost the price.

In this case, the waffenampts mean it's a garden variety WWII HP. The valuable ones are the PRE-occupation pistols!

Have you checked S.P.Fjestad's book Blue Book of Gun Values? It outlines all models and may give you an idea.

The holster may add more value than you might think. I can't think of when I saw one last. How much more? I could be in "wrongland", but US$100-200 wouldn't be surprising.

I too have a Belgian P35 (Hi Power) with German WaA 140 acceptance stamps. Its finish is good. I bought it from a dealer in Aug 1966 for C$50. The price included a Cdn 37 Pattern Holster, 15 rds of Brit 1943 dated 9mm ammo and a cleaning rod. A few years ago, I was offered another P35 in rougher shape for C$250. Phillip Petersons "Military Firearms 4th ed" gives a price range from $250-$650 for a high power. The reason the SS used the P35 was that the P35 was considered a non standard (or substitute standard) pistol. The SS was not normally equipped from Wehrmacht stocks and used what they could acquire through their own procurement methods. Photographic evidence shows that they did not get preferential treatment in arms. By the way the belt buckle in the picture with the P35 is the Reichheer version which was worn until about 1936. I acquired one (1930 dated) for Euros 35 in Germany. Reproductions are also available for about Euros 20. Hope this information helps.

Finally had an opportunity to get more pics of the German HiPower rig, especially the mags. Here's the latest.
Mag #1 has the German eagle, with WaA140 below it, and a very small box with what appears to be "75" stamped in it. Mag #2 has the Eagle, WaA140 below it with a serifed "R" . Would it be likely that the mags were original to this pistol, or at least issued around the same time?
Holster shows some wear, but seems to be in very good condition overall.
Best way to sell this rig? Complete, or sell holster and extra mag separate? Owner tends to want to keep it together since that's the way his dad brought it home from Europe.
Would $1,200 be a reasonable price for the whole rig?
Thanks again to all who have helped me with this endeavor.
Regards,

I think you might be a bit high at $1200 for the whole lot. There seems to be some loss of finish from rust on the slide and that will drop the value some.

I've seen a couple of those in a lot worse condition than that one. There was one sold at a HACS show in Chilliwack a few years ago for C$1000. It was in similar condition to the pistol pictured. It is more valuable to a collector as a complete package than broken up. By themselves, the components would be worth less.
Despite the comment that they were common a few years ago, I suspect it was closer to 25 years ago. Saw another, recently that had been converted to a race gun. Owner said his "DAD" got it from his "DAD" and as it was free, did the work himself. Couldn't care less about the historical value or the fact it may have been a capture heirloom.

Holster was made by Rohrbacher Lederfabrik, Jos. Poeschl's Soehne, Rohrbach near Regensburg Bayern ( Eng: Rohrbacher Leather Factory, Joeseph Poeschl's Sons, Rohrbach near Regensburg, Bavaria)