WW2-era Browning Hi-Power - what can you tell me?

[raskolnik]

A question for y'all.

My wife has a Browning Hi-Power that she inherited from her grandfather. He was in the OSS during WW2, and my understanding is that the OSS guys preferred the Hi-Power to the 1911. Matching serial numbers, and from what I've found based on the serial it was probably made ~early 1945 (serial is 4CH3XXX). It's a Mk.I*, with stamps from the Inglis armory in Canada, plus the two crossed flags that I believe is also an Inglis marking. It's got the slot on the back of the butt for the wooden holster/stock.

Haven't been able to take pictures, 'cause my phone is being a dick, but it looks like this.

I'd greatly appreciate anything more y'all can tell me about this one.

Information

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[browningautorifle]

The CH stands for Chinese contract. It's possible the OSS liked them but I should think they would want something small. Maybe silenced. The Hi Power was a favorite of many powers because it was a hi cap mag before it's time. The most of anyone. Germany adopted the Belian model of 1935 when they over ran Belgium. They will have Nazi proofs. An aquaintance of mine carried one and it's mentioned in the book Gathering of Eagles when he was guarding SS Geneal Kurt Myer. It says his revolver but he told me it was a Hi Power.

Anyway, it was and still is an all around favorite. It's a standard 9MM and will handle just about anything you have. I've had several and right now I have a Mk 3 in .40 cal. The buttstocks come available occasionally.

[raskolnik]

Thanks. What does Chinese contract mean, exactly? He did spend some time in China towards the end/after the war IIRC.

[Johnny Peppers]

There are quite a few records of U.S. pistol shipments to the OSS during WWII including the 1911A1 and Colt Pocket Model Hammerless. An Inglis High Power may have been picked up in China, but it would not have been an issue weapon. The OSS had huge training programs in China during WWII.

[raskolnik]

From what I've seen, the OSS and SAS both used the Hi-Power with some frequency, even if it wasn't official. This one was made between August and October of 1945 (based on the serial), but no Chinese characters anywhere.

[Bruce McAskill]

There were two contracts for the Inglis as made by the John Inglis company.( They also made Bren guns ) One was called the British contract that has a T in the serial number and the other the Chinese contract which has the CH in the number. The Chinese contract pistols were slotted for the holster stock and have the adjustable rear sight while the first contract has the rear sight milled out of the slide and most did not have the slot cut in the grip but some of them do have this but it was a case of using what ever frame was available at the time to keep the British contact going. If the OSS in Europe used a Hi-Power it would have been one of the British contract guns. While it's called the British contract,most of the pistols issued were used by Canadian forces and not by the British army. The Chinese pistols were made in two different time frames as there was a disagreement about these pistols. Seems the Chinese didn't really want them as there was a problem finding enough 9mm ammo for them. They did have the 7.62x25 Mauser ammo for the Broomhandles that were very popular in China at the time but not much 9mm. If I remember right the Canadian government sent a large shipment of 9mm ammo to them along with the second run of pistols. But the great thing about the Inglis is that it was built to withstand the use of higher pressure ammo made for use in sub guns so what ever ammo was available could used in it. They are a well built reliable firearms that are accurate enough to be used in just about any combat situation.

[raskolnik]

That jives with what I know. My wife's grandfather was in China at some point, so it makes sense that he'd have a Chinese contract one. No Chinese characters anywhere on it, and no import markings (plus all matching serial numbers, as I said). There are the remnants of a sticker on the front of the grip; was mainly gold with some red and blue. No clue what that is, and the rim of the sticker is all that's left unfortunately.

[Paul S.]

... No Chinese characters anywhere on it, and no import markings (plus all matching serial numbers, as I said). There are the remnants of a sticker on the front of the grip; was mainly gold with some red and blue. No clue what that is, and the rim of the sticker is all that's left unfortunately.

The China contract was actually a Lend Lease programme. Large numbers of the "Chinese contract" Inglis's never made it out of Canada let alone to China. Many went to Commonwealth countries as well. The sticker was a Lend Lease sticker. It had a Maple Leaf, and inscriptions in English, Russian and Chinese. Clive Law's excellent book, Inglis Diamond; The Canadian High Power Pistol, offers a detailed history and is well worth the cost.

[Major Bob]

That jives with what I know. My wife's grandfather was in China at some point, so it makes sense that he'd have a Chinese contract one. No Chinese characters anywhere on it, and no import markings (plus all matching serial numbers, as I said). There are the remnants of a sticker on the front of the grip; was mainly gold with some red and blue. No clue what that is, and the rim of the sticker is all that's left unfortunately.

I have two examples in my collection. A No1 with tangent sight and shoulder stock fittings with no military aid board sticker ( MAB ) and a No2 with a sticker. Altought the No1 has been called the ''Chinese '' contract, literature suggests most of it was used by Commonwealth troops and maybe some Brit and US special OPS units . All pistols made at Inglis it seems at first were destined for military aid so i deduct th at they all beared the famous sticker. Only late in the war did the Canadian miltary express interest in it and only after cancellation of the ''Chinese '' contract.. So exemples transferred to Canadian military custody would of been MAB marked. I have had access to 100's of Inglis pistols in my career and have never seen one with the sticker but th at is expected as they would of had received 60 plus years of cleaning and scrubbing . Only recently have i had acces to a No 2 with the sticker still intact. I have met officers from various Commonwealth countries with experience with the Inglis and one that marked my imagination forever. This gentleman had been in the Falklands with an Inglis No2 on a shoulder holster and had used it.. He did not mention the presence of a sticker ... More to follow

[browningautorifle]

Thanks Bruce.