P35 (late 1936 or early 1937) FN Hi-Power

My safe queen. Was brought back from the war by my grandfather, who served under Patton. I'm guessing the date as it's a Belgian army contract gun with a mid 4 digit serial number, so I know it's early. This pistol will never leave my family!

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...K4KBHeyl-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...JQJ1ZgQl-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...J2UD21ml-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...5VkUjM7l-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...O1k1cfsl-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...t4FSXSdl-1.jpg

That is a beauty for sure. Thanks for showing it.

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Originally Posted by Bruce McAskill

That is a beauty for sure. Thanks for showing it.

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She shoots great too, but after having the claw on the extractor break while shooting, I found a NOS replacement and have not shot it (and probably will not shoot it) anymore. Those extractors, especially legit FN ones, are extremely hard to find

Barrel's about perfect, not surprising though. We used them until they fell apart and the bore would still be like that.

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

Barrel's about perfect, not surprising though. We used them until they fell apart and the bore would still be like that.

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The only real wear on the gun is holster wear. No rust and only a few minor areas with some small pitting. My grandfather brought it back from the war, shot it up in the air one New Year's Eve in the 60's (yeah, he was probably drunk lol) and then put it in a box for decades. After he passed, I got it and my father (grandfather lived out of state, so my mom and dad went there and brought some stuff back, including the pistol) brought it home and cleaned it. It was filthy and had grime all over it. He was even amazed at the condition considering it just sat in a box in the garage for 45 years. Every once in awhile, I take it out of the safe and wipe it down and lube it. I know it doesn't need it, but it's an heirloom and an awesome piece of history

And...a very nice piece...

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

And...a very nice piece...

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Thanks!

I have plenty of Canadian No.2 pistol extractors which are identical to the original Belgian extractors if you need a spare.

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Originally Posted by Brian Dick

I have plenty of Canadian No.2 pistol extractors which are identical to the original Belgian extractors if you need a spare.

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I really appreciate the offer, but I'm not going to be shooting it anymore. I'm picking up a used surplus (MK2) one from a LGS as a shooter. I sincerely appreciate the offer though, as these are super hard to find here in the states

Cool gun with a great history and a great family connection. I wish I could see the proof marks. As you probably know, Inglis made Hi-Powers like yours for Britain and China under contract during the war.

Thanks for posting. :thup:

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Originally Posted by Mister Coffee

Cool gun with a great history and a great family connection. I wish I could see the proof marks. As you probably know, Inglis made Hi-Powers like yours for Britain and China under contract during the war.

Thanks for posting. :thup:

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I'll get some proof mark close ups later today

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Originally Posted by steveTA1983

She shoots great too, but after having the claw on the extractor break while shooting, I found a NOS replacement and have not shot it (and probably will not shoot it) anymore. Those extractors, especially legit FN ones, are extremely hard to find

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Early Brownings had the extractor hang (if you will) from the firing pin retainer plate.

This was one of the improvements that Inglis made in the * version.

Does your FN have the round barrel cam or the angular one?

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Originally Posted by Lee Enfield

Early Brownings had the extractor hang (if you will) from the firing pin retainer plate.

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You mean like the 1911? Retained in place the same way?

Quote Originally Posted by Lee Enfield View Post

Early Brownings had the extractor hang (if you will) from the firing pin retainer plate.

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

You mean like the 1911? Retained in place the same way?

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Sorry, to clarify, initially only the plate stopped the original design extractors from moving forward through the slide tunnel.

The * (star) improvement to the extractor created a forward stop within the tunnel to support the extractor - or redesigned the extractor to stop within the tunnel - the documentation isn't all that clear.

The other *(star) improvements were the higher ejector & angular cammed barrel.

As documented in Clive Law's book "the Inglis Diamond", the Inglis High Power was solely by Inglis reverse engineered from Val Browning's personal gun, and several supplied by the Chinese delegation. All the reverse engineered FN guns were early and the last FN improvements were not available to Inglis. The Inglis reverse engineering drawings actually predate the Enfield (same purpose but separate project) drawings.

This changed after the Inglis pistols were already in production, when ex FN engineers were finally introduced into the project - they supplied the new barrel cam design and related the ejector height increase.

I'm not sure whether the extractor improvement was an Inglis or FN innovation...

However I believe that the revised Mk2 hammer was an entirely Inglis invention, adopted by FN post-war.

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Originally Posted by Lee Enfield

Early Brownings had the extractor hang (if you will) from the firing pin retainer plate.

This was one of the improvements that Inglis made in the * version.

Does your FN have the round barrel cam or the angular one?

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Round cam

Nice pistol Steve and a great history behind it. Since you are not going to shoot it maybe install it in a shadow box with the bring back document, a photo of your Grandfather and a Third Army patch. Find a special place to hang it where it will be safe. Just a thought.

Superb museum Worthy Hi Power, just lovely.