Question about FN High Power

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03-12-2021, 10:53 PM
Kyle M.

Question about FN High Power

I've come across an FN High Power that I'm thinking about buying but I do not know much about these pistols. I've honestly never even seen one in person before, so I'm hoping someone can shed some light on what I may have found and how much I should pay. I am going to look at the pistol tomorrow morning, any chance of getting a year of production based off the serial number 44xxx? I did some quick googling but it seems that FN serial number records can be quite evasive. Sorry for the photos these are the only two the shops website had. Also thanks in advance for any info.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...20621401-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...20621402-1.jpg
03-13-2021, 10:12 AM
Kyle M.

Well I went to look at the High Power and on my way in the door something else caught my eye, as I was looking around a guy came charging in panting wanting to see the High Power. He looked at it for less than 5 seconds before buying it. So I ended up with a Colt New Service in .45 Colt instead.
03-13-2021, 10:14 AM
browningautorifle

I would have probably just taken the Hi-Power because it's so clean. Nice pistol. Now, show us this revolver you just got?
03-13-2021, 10:52 AM
Gil Boyd

Kyle,

My view if it means anything.................it served me 100% whilst serving, NEVER had a stoppage and I was sad to see it go and replaced by the Glock. But hey ho thats life!!
I have a friend in NI who asked me to source him one as his PPW and I have now tried absolutely everywhere for a decent good barrel and finished model andb they have become like Rocking Horse poo...........rare indeed, so my advice is try buy it off the guy who bought it.;)
03-13-2021, 11:00 AM
Kyle M.

Quote:

Originally Posted by browningautorifle

I would have probably just taken the Hi-Power because it's so clean. Nice pistol. Now, show us this revolver you just got?

Oh I'll be starting a thread on it, now that I realize it is not what it is supposed to be. Let's see what kind of pickle I'm in now.
03-13-2021, 11:06 AM
Gil Boyd

Colt .45 like carrying a cannon compared to 9mm
03-13-2021, 11:48 AM
browningautorifle

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gil Boyd

Colt .45 like carrying a cannon

But are they ever nice.
03-13-2021, 12:42 PM
Mister Coffee

Kyle, sorry I didn't respond yesterday. I'm no expert, and it's too late for this gun now, but here's some info.

The gun pictured has an internal extractor, "thumb print" slide and ring hammer. Those are your first three dating characteristics. I think they stopped using the internal extractor in the early 1960s. I think the thumb print slide was only used in the 1940s-ish. The ring hammer is the original design feature; it changed to the spur hammer in the early 1970s-ish. I don't know what's up with the "257" on the right side. May be a rack number. Your pictures show a gun that is in very good condition.

Hi-Powers are, at least for the moment, selling at a premium because a) FN stopped making new ones and b) the pandemic.

This site is a good place for info on a gun like that one:

https://highpowercollectors.proboard...threads/recent

Cheers.
03-14-2021, 07:25 AM
Kyle M.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mister Coffee

Kyle, sorry I didn't respond yesterday. I'm no expert, and it's too late for this gun now, but here's some info.

The gun pictured has an internal extractor, "thumb print" slide and ring hammer. Those are your first three dating characteristics. I think they stopped using the internal extractor in the early 1960s. I think the thumb print slide was only used in the 1940s-ish. The ring hammer is the original design feature; it changed to the spur hammer in the early 1970s-ish. I don't know what's up with the "257" on the right side. May be a rack number. Your pictures show a gun that is in very good condition.

Hi-Powers are, at least for the moment, selling at a premium because a) FN stopped making new ones and b) the pandemic.

This site is a good place for info on a gun like that one:

https://highpowercollectors.proboard...threads/recent

Cheers.

Thanks for the info it's a good reference in case I find another. I had read elsewhere that serial number 47,000 or so was the cut off for pre Nazi occupation guns. So if that is correct it would have made this one pre war. They were asking $1000 for it on consignment.
03-14-2021, 11:16 AM
browningautorifle

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyle M.

They were asking $1000 for it on consignment.

That's what they cost hereabouts too, more or less. CDN of course...
03-14-2021, 03:19 PM
martin08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyle M.

Thanks for the info it's a good reference in case I find another. I had read elsewhere that serial number 47,000 or so was the cut off for pre Nazi occupation guns. So if that is correct it would have made this one pre war. They were asking $1000 for it on consignment.

Commercial pre-war High Power pistols with the fixed rear sight were built in the 9,000 to 12,000 serial range, according to Vanderlinden, FN Browning Pistols. They would also exhibit the slot for the shoulder stock. All other pre-war officer's models came with the tangent sight.

The one pictured above seems most likely to be a post-liberation gun. Vanderlinden does not seem to offer a good serial range for them.

Here is the pre-war Belgian contract officer's model with tangent sight and stock slot.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...paMd8bVl-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...0GuvGuwl-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...mXMFNjAl-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...1ChiUFLl-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...n2yxwqul-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...OhZtyO1l-1.jpg
03-22-2021, 06:33 PM
bigduke6

I get to shoot a Military Issue (Pre Glock) Browning HP, about twice a year of all the pistols we can use my preference is always the Browning, we went through a few thousand rounds last time, unfortunately the present Covid situation has a put a stop to it but hope to be on back on the range in November.
03-29-2021, 03:25 PM
MSW2

Quote:

Originally Posted by browningautorifle

That's what they cost hereabouts too, more or less. CDN of course...

I bought one for $300 (R4500) a couple of days ago. In a very good condition. I could probably have paid less but it was from a friend so...
Hopefully your prices never reach here.
03-29-2021, 04:31 PM
browningautorifle

Those prices have long gone here. Not since the '80s.
04-14-2021, 10:47 AM
MJ1

I had been looking for a WW2 Longbranch MkII for some time and the tickets on any BHP has jumped to $1200+ this year.

Saw a few a lady collector was buying through my FFL going into thr $2K raNGE AND SOME yOUST NEW MADE bhp'S AT $4k.

So when this walked up to me a few weeks ago at a sub $500 price I grabbed it.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../PCUAQEg-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../yv1zeE9-1.jpg
04-14-2021, 11:03 AM
Gil Boyd

Well done is all I can say.:)
04-03-2022, 02:30 PM
MSW2

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...vdZvT4S6-1.jpg

Home after just over a year of waiting for the powers that be to approve of me possessing my own bought and paid for property.

https://imgbox.com/vdZvT4S6
04-03-2022, 03:16 PM
browningautorifle

Nice looking piece...makes me want one again.