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Post by mrbuckslayer on Aug 6, 2021 17:21:23 GMT -5
I purchased a used FN Browning Hi Power approximately 30 years ago. I am trying to approximate the date of manufacture and any history that I might. Can someone help me?
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Post by mrbuckslayer on Aug 6, 2021 17:28:00 GMT -5
I will post multiple pictures as soon as I figure out how to do so LOL
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Post by ToddSig on Aug 6, 2021 17:30:36 GMT -5
Welcome to the fourm. Yes, pictures will help, including serial number as well as roll marks and proof marks. YOu can used the attachment button, top right of post page and upload the images, or use a hosting service and post the image through a link, Click on the image icon. Let us know if you have problems getting the images up.
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Post by mrbuckslayer on Aug 6, 2021 18:04:51 GMT -5
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Post by mrbuckslayer on Aug 6, 2021 18:06:38 GMT -5
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Post by mrbuckslayer on Aug 6, 2021 18:08:54 GMT -5
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Post by mrbuckslayer on Aug 6, 2021 18:10:30 GMT -5
more Attachments:
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Post by mrbuckslayer on Aug 6, 2021 18:13:57 GMT -5
Serial number is 30584 and is the same on the bbl, slide and frame
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Post by ToddSig on Aug 6, 2021 21:01:07 GMT -5
Nice looking High Power. My best guess is early 1950s for the production date, probably late 1951 or early 1952. The first indication is the serial number, a low five digit number, and so long as it was not a special contract order with client requested serial numbers, the # fits for early 1950s. I have a 1952 High Power, serial #40230 and from parts production markings I can date it to 1952. Next, the pistol has an internal extractor and thumb print depression on the slide. These were eliminated by FN in the early 1960s, so your High Power would pre-date that modification.
Next, you have an inspectors mark of an asterisk over an M. This mark probably belonged to inspector Louis Couchant who worked at FN between 1923 and 1952. The *M mark was also used by Maurice Scorpion, 1959-1968, but because of the low serial number, Louis Couchant makes more sense. Also on the safety there appears to be the number 1 with a line over it and down the right side, this indicates a 4th quarter 1951 production date for the hammer. Examine the trigger and also the back of the slide stop and see if there are other numbers with lines, which would be the production date of that part. But by all that I have seen, best guess late 1951 to early 1952. Hope this helps.
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Post by mrbuckslayer on Aug 6, 2021 21:47:02 GMT -5
WOW... Thats incredible that you are so knowledgeable about these firearms.... Thank you for all that info. I will look for the marks on the trigger and the slide stop and report back here
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Post by mrbuckslayer on Aug 6, 2021 22:00:55 GMT -5
Pics of slide stop and trigger |
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Post by mrbuckslayer on Aug 6, 2021 22:07:48 GMT -5
heres a better pic of the trigger Attachments:
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Post by ToddSig on Aug 6, 2021 22:21:23 GMT -5
The mark on the trigger guard has 0 with line down the side and the bottom, indicating a production date of 1st quarter 1950. The trigger image looks like there are some lines, but cant see the full mark. The back of the slide stop has a 0 with a line over or under it, but there should be at least a second line. Perhaps it is faint or mis-marked when applied, but probably a 1950 production. You can also look on the barrel foot, there might be a production mark there as well. In any event, because of the 1 on the safety, the gun was most likely assembled late 1951 or early 1952 with parts manufactured in 1950 and 1951. Here is an image of the 1st quarter 1952 barrel production mark on my 1952 High Power barrel  Although out of print, much of this information is in Anthony Vanderlinden's book FN Browning Pistols. The current 2nd edition is out of print, but a third edition is in the works and should be available later this year. Well worth having in your library. www.fnbrowning.com/book-fn-browning-pistols-3rd-editio |
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