Browning Hi-power - Help with ID -

[Saigon1965]

Hello forum members -

I've this HP am looking for info on the markings on her -

I've chatted with Lenny Reese and the only bit of info he has is that she's a 1969 vintage -

Pardon the "curve" gun - I assure you she's straight!

I've a new camera and am on a learning curve -

Best -

Saigon1965 -

[doggie]

Those are some unusual looking stampings on the bolt and frame. Very nice old gun.

[dfletcher]

Proofhouse lists ending 1969 "T" type serial number as T261000 - unless I've had too many Moxies T261489 comes later. If Browning is like S & W then this falls into the "close enough, anything's possible" category. Is it possible the barrel is off an earlier BHP?

[JohnCCW]

On any gun, If the barrel and frame s/n's don't match, it won't be worth as much.
I would be concerned about reliability/function if you are keeping it as a shooter, and run some ammo through it to find out.

[ojisan]

"Pill bottle with crown" looks like a Belgian liege proof mark.

http://www.nramuseum.com/media/940944/proofmarks.pdf

[tsnoforn]

Well, you barrel was made in the 1950s and the pistol was made in the 1969-1972 (app). It is a hodgepodge, that is somebody's military barrel. The pistol never changed in that era. The ring hammer was on/off in that era.

I would have it inspected for good function. The pistol is not all in one piece, I collect Hi Powers and would put in the same boat with the Israeli surplus guns, but it is nicely blued... say a generous 550? It is a shooter, not a collector's item.


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[tsnoforn]

Here's my story and I'm sticking to it. This is a Belgian Army Hi Power. The barrel, the mag well bottom and the trigger guard are covered in belgian army proof marks (I looked them up). I would feel better about function. The barrel replacement was almost certainly done by a Belgian military armorer... I could only guess some time in the 70s or 80s. It is in good shape (the bluing is nice). It is the most commonly issued military pistol, worldwide. Most certainly the ring hammer was standard.


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[tsnoforn]

Here's my story and I'm sticking to it. This is a Belgian Army Hi Power. The barrel, the mag well bottom and the trigger guard are covered in belgian army proof marks (I looked them up). I would feel better about function. The barrel replacement was almost certainly done by a Belgian military armorer... I could only guess some time in the 70s or 80s. It is in good shape (the bluing is nice). It is the most commonly issued military pistol, worldwide. Most certainly the ring hammer was standard.


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OK! Now I am still confused... the slide has to be an American market slide... if the slide was a military one, it would say FN Herstal blah blah blah... because outside the US... its not a Browning Hi Power, its an FN Hi power. This has to be from three different pistols. Frame is 1969, voverec in Belgian Army Proofs, barrel is 1950s, covered in belgian Army proofs.... more on the slide, I'm going to the safe to find a similar US market branding.


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[tsnoforn]

OK! Now I am still confused... the slide has to be an American market slide... if the slide was a military one, it would say FN Herstal blah blah blah... because outside the US... its not a Browning Hi Power, its an FN Hi power. This has to be from three different pistols. Frame is 1969, voverec in Belgian Army Proofs, barrel is 1950s, covered in belgian Army proofs.... more on the slide, I'm going to the safe to find a similar US market branding.


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OK! The slide, 1970s. Made for a Browning Hi Power for the US market. The Frame, late 69-72 FN Hi Power, the Barrel, late 1950s FN Hi Power. Keep in mind the whole pistol was made in the same place. The owner that imported it switched slides?

Your pistol is unique... it probably was made in the 1950s, 60's and 70's. After a long life as an Army pistol, it was imported and the owner switched the slides. Neat. I bet its a good shooter.


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[Saigon1965]

You're on it - Lenny Reese (Browning historian) said per record - She's a 1969 (Frame) -

Proofhouse lists ending 1969 "T" type serial number as T261000 - unless I've had too many Moxies T261489 comes later. If Browning is like S & W then this falls into the "close enough, anything's possible" category. Is it possible the barrel is off an earlier BHP?

Thanks Craig (Hope you're well) - Proof marks / nitro marks on barrel and frame -

But what is that on the butt?

Hebrew?

"Pill bottle with crown" looks like a Belgian liege proof mark.
http://www.nramuseum.com/media/940944/proofmarks.pdf

Completely mis-match gun - The slide is off something else - T serial numbered guns are commercial correct?

You'd mentioned you found that the butt stampings are mil - Would you mind refer me to that source please -

OK! The slide, 1970s. Made for a Browning Hi Power for the US market. The Frame, late 69-72 FN Hi Power, the Barrel, late 1950s FN Hi Power. Keep in mind the whole pistol was made in the same place. The owner that imported it switched slides?

Your pistol is unique... it probably was made in the 1950s, 60's and 70's. After a long life as an Army pistol, it was imported and the owner switched the slides. Neat. I bet its a good shooter.


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[tsnoforn]

NRA proof library. Keep in mind because the pistol is a hodge podge, it's hard to tell but that is not hebrew, it is FN proof marks.


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[tsnoforn]

The marks on the butt are not Hebrew, those are inspection marks. I simply don't see them a lot on import pistols, and Israeli pistols are marked differently and it's not British... thus my Belgian mil assumption.

Not important though because it has an American import slide on top of it. It was definitely pieced together in the US, although the barrel and slide may have originally been replaced by the armorer.

Its really impossible to tell; the thing may have pieces from a dozen pistols.


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[jyo]

Earlier commercial slide markings---T series frame---ring hammer---barrel with Belgium proof marks---external extractor---this pistol looks to be assembled from a lot of different parts---the P35 has been made since 1935 and yours seems to be put together from several eras or they were simply replacement parts---if your gun could talk...

[Saigon1965]

Thank you for the info -

The marks on the butt are not Hebrew, those are inspection marks. I simply don't see them a lot on import pistols, and Israeli pistols are marked differently and it's not British... thus my Belgian mil assumption.

She has led an interesting life to say the least - I know where the gun has been for the last 42+ years but prior to that...

Earlier commercial slide markings---T series frame---ring hammer---barrel with Belgium proof marks---external extractor---this pistol looks to be assembled from a lot of different parts---the P35 has been made since 1935 and yours seems to be put together from several eras or they were simply replacement parts---if your gun could talk...

[brownfeathermedic]

Enjoy Her! I do mine. Got an Israeli Police turn in, and found her to be a complete T-Series, Lock stock and barrel. Yes, her outside shows considerable holster wear but she looks even more sexy. I like my Women a lil on the trashy side.