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Post by localnetplus on Sept 26, 2021 21:01:00 GMT -5
Picked up a couple Hi Powers at a gun show this weekend and having problems identifying one. The lack of markings makes it difficult for me but may make it apparent for the experts in here. Serial number with a "B" prefix. Literally no other markings other than serial number with the exceptions of F N on top of the slide near the fixed rear sight. Came in a very old looking brown box that says "The Original F.N. Fabrique Nationale Herstal Belgium Hi - Power". Inside of the box satisfactory refurbished with an FM stamp. Any help greatly appreciated.
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Post by ToddSig on Sept 27, 2021 7:49:33 GMT -5
Welcome to the Forum. Sounds like it was a great weekend with two Hi Powers. Although without images it is hard to be certain, but my best guess is the Hi Power with the "B" prefix serial is not FN at all. FN never used the B prefix. FEG did, and also manufactured counterfeit Fn Hi Powers. I bet that is what you have, an FEG counterfeit FN Hi Power. A rather cool part of Hi Power./FEG clone hisotry. Read the entries from our member Beczal, who is Hungarian and has done a lot of research on FEG. Scroll down to the posts of Jan 11, 2021 at 12:37am for the info on the counterfeit Hi Powers highpowercollectors.proboards.com/post/7494/threadRegarding the box marked, "The Original F.N. Fabrique Nationale Herstal Belgium Hi - Power", these were used when importing into the US the early 1960s FN Hi powers that were originally from an FN contract with Argentina and the Buenos Aries police. If I recall correctly most o these were imported in the 1990s. Image of one of the boxes is below. Was the "B" serial number in the box, or the other Hi Power? Give us a little more info, or post images and we should be able to get you more background on your two new Hi Powers.
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Post by localnetplus on Sept 27, 2021 19:08:58 GMT -5
That is exactly the box it came in. Should be 3 pictures attached (hopefully) showing the SN Placement on the barrel and slide. Frame SN is on the front strap. Also is picture of the "FN" stamp on the top of the slide near the rear sight. 3rd should be the butt of the grip showing what appears to be a lanyard ring holes. The 2nd HI Power I got was a browning in the base with all paperwork. SN Decoder puts it at 1991 I think.
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Post by ToddSig on Sept 27, 2021 20:37:46 GMT -5
Thanks for posting the additional images. Very interesting pistol.
First, regarding the box it came in, this box was used for the US import of surplus 1961 Buenos Aires FN contract pistols. If you google "browning hi power buenos aires" and search images you will see many of the Buenos Aires surplus pistols together with this box. The Argentine Buenos Aires contract was from 1961, most if not all had internal extractors as well as a slide crest and Buenos Aires police markings. Your images show an external extractor, plus no proof markings, roll marks etc, so it is not part of that contract and was a later manufacture.
Given the lack of proof marks and roll marks and other marks FN typically placed on Hi Powers, I still believe you have an FEG counterfeit FN Hi Power clone. FN had an E and T prefixes, I dont believe they had a B prefix, but FEG did use the B prefix serial number. I have never seen that "FN" mark, nor a Belgium pistol lacking so many proof and other markings.
Perhaps some others will post, and hopefully Bezcal will comment and give us his thoughts regarding it possibly being and FEG. In any event, definitely an interesting example.
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Post by localnetplus on Sept 27, 2021 21:11:10 GMT -5
Here are a few more pics. These are the only other markings on I can find. Not sure if they offer any help. It definitely has a "generic" look to it. There aren't any marking on the magazine that came with it either. The wooden grips were definitely brown and painted black at some point. Maybe when it was "refurbished" at FM?
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Post by ToddSig on Sept 27, 2021 21:48:01 GMT -5
The proof marks on the barrel foot are Hungarian. See image below from one of my FEG Luger Hi Power clones with similar markings, the H within a circle and what looks like the Roman numeral IV. Also see a sheet image below I have on Hungarian proof marks, and the "I" within a heart like cartouche is noted as a "Voluntary Provisional Proof". With that, I am pretty confident you have an FEG counterfeit Hi Power clone. Although, given the lack of FN markings, I wonder if it was an FEG that just left the factory that way and was not part of the counterfeit production. Perhaps the "FN" was later added in an attempt to make it appear correct or at least lead someone in that direction. The lack of marks might remain a mystery. I dont think the pistol has anything to do with FM or Argentine FN High Powers. I think the pistol was placed in the box for a more authentic look.
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Post by localnetplus on Sept 27, 2021 22:35:31 GMT -5
Certainly a wealth of knowledge in here. This all started because I bought a random bag of 9mm Mags and it had 7 Hi Point Mags in it....
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Post by cpwlew on Oct 5, 2021 14:55:56 GMT -5
A number of years ago, a whole bunch were brought into the country. It was said that they were made in Hungary & they had the FN logo. I have seen B, C, CC, F, and L prefixes. The 'F' prefix ones were not a good copy of the FN pistols.
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Post by ToddSig on Oct 5, 2021 16:29:26 GMT -5
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