Another INGLIS thread

[Tom E Gun]

Hello;
I have recently purchased an Inglis Hi Power. Although I have done my best to research this pistol, on the net, I was hoping for a little extra help.

First, here is the pistol:



My first question is about the finish. In person it appears to be a dark gray parkerized finish with a slightly green tint. The previous owner is sure that it is original and it certainly looks it to me. However my research leads me to question this because the serial numbers appear to be parkerized and not stamped after finishing. Were there any Inglis pistols that were stamped prior to finishing in the factory?

My next question is about the serial number. Would this number date to approx June or July of 1944?

I recognize the partial Dominion of Canada Proof mark on the slide and frame, but what are the other marks?

Last question: Is it possible that the strange marks on the front of the grip are remnants of the original sticker? I don't know how well the photo shows it, but there is a faint red character near the right grip panel (top of the lower photo below).



Thanks for any help or comments
Cheers
TEG

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Tom E Gun]

Thanks for the info Jim. The right grip screw is stripped, I am in the process of finding a replacement. I am shocked at the 1960 date, I was sure it would be 1944.
Cheers
TEG

[Peter Laidler]

I think BAR has made a bit of a typo there. It's definately not 1960! Our book of armourers useful info says that an arrow within the letter C (photo 3, body side) is the Canadian Government acceptance/ownership mark as opposed to an actual proof mark

There's a great little book out there about these equally great little pistols called 'The Inglis Diamond'

[Tom E Gun]

Thanks for the input guys.

[Paul S.]

About the stripped grip screw - I have to wonder if someone has tried to replace the inch pattern Inglis grip screw with a metric FN? If so, I suspect there is a good chance that the frame screw hole is stripped, or at least cross-threaded as well.

Clive Law's book, "INGLIS DIAMOND; THE CANADIAN HIGH POWER PISTOL" list's your serial number as within the July 1944 production.

[Tom E Gun]

About the stripped grip screw - I have to wonder if someone has tried to replace the inch pattern Inglis grip screw with a metric FN? If so, I suspect there is a good chance that the frame screw hole is stripped, or at least cross-threaded as well.

Clive Law's book, "INGLIS DIAMOND; THE CANADIAN HIGH POWER PISTOL" list's your serial number as within the July 1944 production.

The pistol came with newer wood grips and no lanyard ring. Thanks to 2 very generous Forum members, one on Milsurps and one on CGN, I received a free set of original grips and a free original lanyard ring. The one good screw fits well in either side of the pistol, but the other screw is cross threaded and will not tighten all the way, also the slot is a little deformed. I am pretty sure I just need one good screw to solve the problem.

Thanks for the date confirmation!
Cheers
TEG

[Paul S.]

Mate, I would suggest a firm like MARSTAR in Canada or even SARCO INC in the US for Inglis grip screws but I know from doing a quick on-line check that neither has them in stock. Although there may be some value in contacting them directly as they may have an odd one lying about.

Other than that, there is a very remote possibility that a fellow collector or someone with access to bins full of bits and pieces from or for older, Commonwealth weapons, may be able to find one for you.

Also, it just came to mind that there is a firm in the US Pacific Northwest that makes otherwise unobtainable parts for antique or vintage firearms. I'll have to have a look for the details.

Mind you, I've never actually confirmed by checking what the thread pitch or the diameter is for the Inglis or FN grip screws. Hmmm....

[MaverickDMD]

Mate, I would suggest a firm like MARSTAR in Canada or even SARCO INC in the US for Inglis grip screws but I know from doing a quick on-line check that neither has them in stock. Although there may be some value in contacting them directly as they may have an odd one lying about.

Other than that, there is a very remote possibility that a fellow collector or someone with access to bins full of bits and pieces from or for older, Commonwealth weapons, may be able to find one for you.

Also, it just came to mind that there is a firm in the US Pacific Northwest that makes otherwise unobtainable parts for antique or vintage firearms. I'll have to have a look for the details.

Mind you, I've never actually confirmed by checking what the thread pitch or the diameter is for the Inglis or FN grip screws. Hmmm....

I’ve had the same problem recently. There are no manufacturers of these machine screws anywhere so it is a very real problem for many Inglis owners. The good news is that pretty realistic substitute screws can be used. The grip screw size is 3-48 x3/8. It’s is either a pan head a pan binder head or some morphed version of a fillister. Screws like these can be bought from Amazon. They are in stainless and are threaded on the entire shank instead of having a 3/16 bare portion before the head. The head diameter is 3/16 and is a slot. Matte black paint will work and once mounted they will appear as stock. Hope this helps out other fellow Inglis owners

[Sunray]

The 1960 date might have been a refinish date, but absolutely has nothing to do with the manufacture date. ALL Inglis BHPs were made in 1944 and 1945. Yours was made in September/October 1944.
The original finish was grey(zinc based) Parkerizing. The green tinge is the result of long term storage in cosmoline. There's no such thing as green Parkerizing. The CF refinished 'em with black phosphating some time after the War.
A BHP screw is a BHP screw. There's no difference between an FN screw and an Inglis screw. These guys want $5US each for grip screws. Try Western Gun Parts first. Browning Hi-Power Parts
"...Our proof mark before Canadian arsenals C with an A inside..." No such thing. And like Peter says, it's an acceptance mark, not a proof mark.

[Bruce McAskill]

While your serial number is in the first 10,000 it has the later slide marking. The very early ones do not have MK 1* stamped on them. Does your hammer have II stamped on it? Yours may be too early for that. As to a decal on the grip. I understood that Chinese contract pistols got those but not the Canadian contract??? I have had mine for 40+ years now and won't give it up. It's my go to gun for the home. Feeds anything and accurate enough for minute of bad guy. They are great pistols.