Danish Contract A prefix ?

[rgr1989]

Hello, Gents.
I recently viewed the following pics on an auction site with the initial description as a German bhp with an A prefix.
However, what jumped off the page to me was that it had an external extractor....this makes it '62 or later....yes?
I"m thinking: external extractor, D'armes de Guerre roll stamp, what appears to be a crown on the right trigger guard, and an A prefix ...this may be a Danish post war contract ?
What doesn't seem to jive is the E controller proof code which is '24 to '59 ?  (Sorry my copy of controller proof codes is not clear due to the photobucket waterstamp)
Would love to hear your forensics on this one...I'm also curious about the pentagon with C in the center...and the 'AL' stamp on the trigger guard.  Seems to be stamped over something else.
Much Thanks and hope all are well,
Jim

[tnorris]

Definitely not a "German" pistol.

I did notice the RGUNS importation mark in the first picture. Is this still up for auction and can you provide a link? RGUNS is somewhat near me and I'm wondering if they made this mistake in identifying the pistol or did someone else. I picked up a pretty nice alloy frame pistol from them a few years ago.

The *E was also used from 1995 to present by Hannsens Fabrice. The pistol doesn't seem to be that new, but who knows!

Cheers,

Tim

[ToddSig]

Interesting markings. I agree with Tim, not a German period High Power, but perhaps close. Regarding the frame, according to Vanderlinden, page 334 (second edition) the A prefix was used on what was called liberation pistols. FN was not up and manufacturing until 1946 and was using existing parts and inventory. First ones were sold to soldiers, and by Nov 1945 according to Vanderlinden substantial orders were placed by the Belgian military.

Following on page 337 and 338 Vanderlinden discusses the Belgian contracts starting in 1945, including the A prefix. On page 338, middle image (fig 338-2) there is a High Power with an A12632 serial number, 1945 frame with a later external extractor slide with same serial number. The explanation is Belgian Army arsenal refurbished. Some of the marks appear similar to your auction offering.

My best guess, the High Power is from the post war Belgian contract, arsenal refurbished with external extractor slide with applied corresponding serial numbers. Need more info to determine the status of the barrel.

Certainly an interesting find.

Hope this helps.

[CXM]

The Danish Army was initially armed with SIG p210/M49s and were using them as recently as the second Gulf war.

This guy is a Danish Army medical corps guy I was acquainted with years ago. The Danes were very careful to maintain their pistols in excellent condition. You never saw a bad looking Danish weapon.




These guns gave very good service over the years but as new guns were bought the Danes decided the M49/P210s were too expensive for military use. Later on they bought a quantity of FN HP pistols which had late model features. Shortly after they began retiring some of their SIGs. The SIG was in use as late as the 1990s. The current Danish sidearm is a Glock made to order for the Danes.




Here is the box my SIG M49/P210 came in.

I had a Danish BHP until I did the big sell off auction a year or so again... If memory serves me it had the internal extractor.

Of course it was as nice a gun as all HPs of that period.

FWIW

Chuck

[festivus]

I ended up the lucky (or maybe unlucky) buyer of this gun. Seemed interesting and is my first hi power. It seems like an 81-89 based on hammer to me but has markings that I would assume are much older. It also has the smaller safety which seems possible for that period but indicates likely a bit older. Has other features that indicate post 62 I think. I will try to attach photos of the markings and welcome any feedback as to what they each represent. An interesting mystery to me and giving me the bug to buy another one or two.

[festivus]

How do I add photos from my phone?

[festivus]

Attachments:

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[ToddSig]

Festivus, can you post a couple images of the full pistol, each side?

[festivus]

[festivus]

[festivus]

I now notice in the photos that the finish seems different on the slide and frame, but both seem original to my untrained eye.  I can tell you it shot fine the one time I put 100 rounds or so through it.  I did clean it up quite a bit first as it seemed it hadn’t been taken down and cleaned in quite a long time.  I also added the grips but have the unmarked plastic grips that came with it.