Calling on Hi-Power experts

nc-by-the-c

nc-by-the-c

Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum
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IMG_2108.JPG IMG_2109.JPG IMG_2102.JPG IMG_2104.JPG IMG_2101.JPG IMG_2105.JPG IMG_2107.JPG IMG_2099.JPG IMG_2097.JPG I picked this up in a trade
Unfortunately determining its year of manufacture and/or what contract (ex. Police) it was produced for it quite a challenge with these FN manufactured guns
I understand all pistol markings in and out are needed to decifer....here they are....
If anyone can help with info please help thanks!!!
Slide a little blurred it reads Browning's patent depose
 
I can say pre-1962 ... internal extractor and thumb print slide but not much after that.

ETA: just a guess but manufactured early to mid 1950’s. In nice condition for an almost 70 year old gun.
 
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nc-by-the-c said:
View attachment 98410 View attachment 98412 View attachment 98413 View attachment 98414 View attachment 98415 View attachment 98416 View attachment 98417 View attachment 98418 View attachment 98419 I picked this up in a trade
Unfortunately determining its year of manufacture and/or what contract (ex. Police) it was produced for it quite a challenge with these FN manufactured guns
I understand all pistol markings in and out are needed to decifer....here they are....
If anyone can help with info please help thanks!!!
Slide a little blurred it reads Browning's patent depose
Click to expand...

Serial numbers do not tell you much when it comes to early BHPs. FN used whatever serial numbers they wanted and often reused serial number sequences as the request of different contractors. Record keeping at FN is more or an art than a science. The gun is pre 1962 because after 1962 they changed to an external extractor. Based on what I can see in your pic I will give you my best WAG. There are date codes and inspector marks on the pistol in the pictures you have posted. With pistols like this the best approach is to decipher all of the date codes and inspector marks and extrapolate a date from there. Most of the time you can get a range based on the oldest date code and other factors. I do not see any distinct contract marks on the gun. I believe it is a commercial BHP or one produced for a contract which did not require special markings. The rollmark is standard for commercial pistols of its day.

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The PV is a smokeless poweder proof. The PV = Poudre Vive. The * and backwards P is a inspectors mark used by Adolphe Delcommune 1952-1960. The same inspector mark is seen on most of the major parts of the pistol. I see it on the slide, frame and the barrel. So you have a 8 year date range.


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The 2 in the half box is a date code. It tells you the frame was made in the 1st quarter of 1952.


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The 3 in the half box is also a date code showing which represents the 1st quarter 1953.

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This pic again shows the PV smokless powder proof, *P inspector mark and then the proof of Leige or the final Proof. It is the crown with the ELG

To my eyes the frame was built in 1952. The barrel was produced in 1953. The gun was inspected and approved by Adolphe Delcommune who was an inspector at FN Herstal between 1952-1960. So my WAG is its is a 1953-1954 BHP. The grips appear to be original to the gun. What color is the back side of the grips? The thumb safety, front and rear sight all appear to be period correct and original to the gun. It is a nice post WWII BHP.
 
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Wow WVSIG you are the man!!
I knew these FNs were tough to pin down (can't rely on serial number) and I had read you could Sherlock Holmes it from all the markings and you sure did! I owe you a beer, thanks....
Grips are orangish red in color...
 
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One word of caution if you are going to shoot the pistol. It has an internal extractor which is prone to breakage. Never load a round into the chamber except via a mag. It can break the rim if the extractor. Not that you would ever do that.

The internal extractor is discontinued and they are hard to come by and are expensive. IIRC Jack First was the last to have a batch of them and they were selling for $75+.

If you shout the gun watch for erratic ejection patterns and if you plan to shoot it regularly source a backup extractor.
 
nc-by-the-c said:
Wow WVSIG you are the man!!
I knew these FNs were tough to pin down (can't rely on serial number) and I had read you could Sherlock Holmes it from all the markings and you sure did! I owe you a beer, thanks....
Grips are orangish red in color...
Click to expand...

The grips are period correct to the gun. The red paint was some sort of protectant against oils IIRC.

It is a very nice example and from what I see it is in excellent condition. Nice find! Enjoy it! I am glad I could help.
 
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I can't add much to what wvsig already posted, but your gun is most likely a West German or Austrian contract gun. Serial number is in the range for either, but, as wvsig already stated, FN would give a buyer whatever SN they wanted during that stage of production. Neat piece.
 
llaht said:
Very nice gun and some excellent detective work.

Here is one for comparison that i have and what was said about it, I have pics if you can't pick these up

https://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=484594
Click to expand...

Submoa really knew his stuff. He was a great asset to the 1911 forum. As was Burgs. Both of them left and are hard to track down these days. I correspond with Submoa every now and then.

If you are into BHPs the Vanderlinden and RBlake Stevens books are excellent reads and resources.

Reminded me to ask did it come with a magazine? What is the follower made of? Period correct should have an aluminum follower.
 
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Thanks for the extractor info.
The gun has lots of Ballistol on it, in the photos smears and lint in Ballistol, isn't wiped down etc. showing in photos
it is in pretty high condition (maybe even high 90s%) so I definitely don't want to break it by shooting it

I have a 1970s Browning High power that I shoot, maybe I'll stick to it and leave this one alone if the extractors can be that much of an issue, I definitely don't want a seeking and fitting issue on my hands

Mag has a plastic follower so unfortunately not original
I may try to figure out what is correct so I can mate it to the gun...I may even have one amongst my high power mags

Thanks again
 
nc-by-the-c said:
Thanks for the extractor info.
The gun has lots of Ballistol on it, in the photos smears and lint in Ballistol, isn't wiped down etc. showing in photos
it is in pretty high condition (maybe even high 90s%) so I definitely don't want to break it by shooting it

I have a 1970s Browning High power that I shoot, maybe I'll stick to it and leave this one alone if the extractors can be that much of an issue, I definitely don't want a seeking and fitting issue on my hands

Mag has a plastic follower so unfortunately not original
I may try to figure out what is correct so I can mate it to the gun...I may even have one amongst my high power mags

Thanks again
Click to expand...

I think you are ok to shoot the gun I just wouldn't push the round counts too high and inspect the extractor before and after shooting. I still shoot my internal extractor BHPs from time to time. They are elegant weapons. There is something about shooting the classic guns even with the small half moon sights that feeds the soul. This is my favorite internal extractor BHP. It is a commerial Browning.

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