Inglis HP fake???

Greetings All

I tried, I tried and failed. Maybe I was out of line, but please look and give your two cents.

I came across a beautiful, from the pic's, Early Inglis HP with the Mandarin inscription on the side of the slide. The seller states that the pistol is reworked but I feel it is a fake. I emailed this to the web site and received a reply that both the seller and buyer were satisfied that the pistol was original. Below is the link to the pistol, my email and the reply I received.

Item 905187971 (Browning Hi-Power Inglis MK. I, 9mm, Chinese contract, stock)

My email:

Greetings Sir

I was very excited when I came across the early Inglis HP with Chinese writing but have to inform you about its problems. I know if it ends in a couple of hours but you might want to cancel it before it ends.

The manufacturers legend (Browning FN 9MM etc) is a Type 4 per Clive Laws Inglis Diamond and should be either a Type 1 or 2 to have the Mandarin inscription. The character font on the serial number is also incorrect to of been made at Inglis.

I am aware that the pistol has been reworked, but in my opinion this pistol is a fake. Just wanted to make you aware before it is too late.

The reply:

The consignor and the lead bidder differ from your opinion. Let’s see what happens. Thanks, Scott

For archiving purposes, I've reposted the content of the auction that Lance linked to, in order for folks to continue to discuss it, even when the auction disappears from the site.

Regards,
Badger

Quote:

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Browning Hi-Power Inglis MK. I, 9mm, Chinese contract, stock
Lot #55
Item # 905187971

Currently: 1330.00 USD First Bid: 20.00 USD
Time Left: COMPLETED # of Bids: 20 (bid history)
Started: 09/05/08 19:20:00
Ends: 09/12/08 19:23:00 (mail this auction to a friend)

Description

Browning Hi-Power Inglis Mark I, 9mm cal. auto military pistol. Serial #CH122, mfg. Canada. Early Chinese contract (first month production in 1944) - a rare one! Interesting history on this one: Because the Browning Belgium plant was seized by the Nazis, the Canadian Inglis plant reverse-engineered the Hi-Power for a Chinese contract and for the Brits. This Chinese contract specimen has six Chinese characters on the left side of the slide (see photo). Tangent sight and slotted grip for stock. This specimen was re-arsenaled - probably in India - and now has a 99% finish and MK. II upgraded hammer. Includes a "S.A. LTD. 1944" marked shoulder stock with web hanger in excellent condition (stock also serves as storage unit). Bore has some frosting. Tight action. 500 yard tanget rear sight. All matching serial numbers. Vivid markings. One 14-shot magazine. Very few of these came back to the USA, so it's a RARE one! Great collector for military buffs and a MUST for Hi-Power collectors. C&R OK.

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Hmm... if it's a fake, it's really well done. My opinion is just that either clive's book is not 100% accurate for very early pistols, of perhaps the slide has been changed.

It would be interesting to find out which hammer is installed.

Way back in the dim dark past I owned a few "Chinese Marked" HP's including one"Lunch Box" and DP11 as well as a proper CH and 3 digits.

ALL THREE of those pistols had the "legend" pantograph ENGRAVED on the left side of the slides and NOT roll stamped.IF you looked at the legend you could see(with a 16x Geologist's glass) that an engraving tool had been used by the rounded corners etc.

I would think that the slide WAS a 4CH what with that larger font roll stamping.

Just my not so humble opinion.JR

As I recall from many moons ago, a certain famous armourer knows something about these...;)