Inglis High Power Serial Number - I'm stumped

[410001661]

Hi all,
I have a neat Inglis Hi Power made in Toronto, Ontario with all matching (slide/bbl/frame) serial numbers that are 87x.......I have never seen one with a 3 digit serial number? I have looked high and low and cannot find anything about it.

On the left side of the gun it says Browning - F.N. 9mm H.P INGLIS CANADA
On the right side of the gun is just the serial number stamped almost in line with each other on the bbl, the slide, and the frame

Here are some pics

Information

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[Paul S.]

Can you take some close-up pictures of the proofmarks on the frame and slide and tell me whether the serial number has 'CH', 'T' or no letter in it?

[410001661]

Can you take some close-up pictures of the proofmarks on the frame and slide and tell me whether the serial number has 'CH', 'T' or no letter in it?

Paul,
There are no markings on it what so ever.........no letter in the serial number just the 3 numbers. The only stamp I saw on it was on the bottom of the mag - looked like a T (maybe for Toronto)??

Thanks in advance guys!!

[browningautorifle]

I had a 3 digit gun, but it had a prefix. Mine was a 0T8XX, don't remember the whole number. Yes, we need a close up, preferably not a phone pic...

[Brian Dick]

Might be a "lunch box" pistol. Assembled by a factory worker at home, (or later out of nos parts), with a non-standard serial number applied for registration purposes. They are out there and you aren't that far from where they were produced during the war.

[Steve1987]

All original phosphate Inglis's would have had the serial number applied in the white.

It's possible someone modified the serial number and re-finished the pistol, but without close up pictures it's not possible to say for sure. We do know it was refinished at some point, by either the factory (some were upgraded to Mk 1* and refinished) military arsenal, or outside of the military.

Regards,
-Steve

[browningautorifle]

That "T" is a JI for John Inglis. Looks like it might have been stolen from the factory and numbered later. I know handguns could be registered without problem for years, my great Uncle took his vet bringback in around 1965 and they papered it without question. This may have done the same. Nice gun.

[Paul S.]

A few observations:
1. there should be, but aren't, Dominion of Canada acceptance marks (a broad arrow inside a "C") on the right side (S/N side) of the frame;
2. there should be, but isn't, a cross pennant marking of the barrel visible through the ejection port;
3. the factory applied serial numbers were done using a pantograph which left very neat, evenly space, all on one plane, consistent-depth markings while your serial number is uneven, off-line and not consistent;
4. there is no marking above the "BROWNING - FN 9MM HP" where the "MkI*", etc. stamping should be;
5. and - significantly (or not) the cam lug is prick-punched to keep it in place in the frame.

All the above, the last point in particular, makes me wonder who, when, and why that was done. One possible answer is also the most likely explanation. That is, as has been suggested earlier, the pistol was made from parts that "grew legs" or were poached from the factory before the S/N was applied and became accountable.

I'm not a betting man, but if I was, I would take 10 to 1 odds on it being a "Lunch-box Special".

[Lee Enfield]

A few observations:
1. there should be, but aren't, Dominion of Canada acceptance marks (a broad arrow inside a "C") on the right side (S/N side) of the frame;The C^ is there Top left of frame close to magwell swell, but the DCP isn't
2. there should be, but isn't, a cross pennant marking of the barrel visible through the ejection port;
3. the factory applied serial numbers were done using a pantograph which left very neat, evenly space, all on one plane, consistent-depth markings while your serial number is uneven, off-line and not consistent;
4. there is no marking above the "BROWNING - FN 9MM HP" where the "MkI*", etc. stamping should be;This is an EARLY slide (pantograph engraved left side markings and long dust cover edge) and so wouldn't have the MkI or MkI* originally applied
5. and - significantly (or not) the cam lug is prick-punched to keep it in place in the frame. I noticed this right away as the Inglis BHP was known to have cam lock bars come loose

All the above, the last point in particular, makes me wonder who, when, and why that was done. One possible answer is also the most likely explanation. That is, as has been suggested earlier, the pistol was made from parts that "grew legs" or were poached from the factory before the S/N was applied and became accountable.

I'm not a betting man, but if I was, I would take 10 to 1 odds on it being a "Lunch-box Special".

It is definitely a "lunch box" which escaped without an original serial number.

I've owned several, from "in the white", mixed finish parts, and completely finished except for serial #.

The one I have retained is "in the white" composed of parts which are all MkI rather than MkI*. My slide and frame were both grabbed before final finishing operations.

[jonnyc]

I generally don't believe in "Lunch Box" guns, but after seeing this one I may have to modify my stance. Sure fits the bill.