I need help identifying the maker

[brad]

Hello hi power enthusiast, I just purchased A hi power and I am having trouble figuring out who’s maker is. The slide has been replaced about the barrel and the frame are matching numbers. I just was hoping someone on here could tell me where this pistol was made and maybe when? I’m going to try to figure out how to post a picture but the only marking I see is on the front right of the trigger guard and also above the serial number on the barrel. It’s got a six digit serial number and what appears to be a P with a dash if you hold it one way or a P on its side with an I over it

[ToddSig]

Welcome to HPC. Looks like the mark of FM, Argentina.
Argentine-made Hi Powers were produced by Direccion General Fabrications Militaries. First were authorized High Power copies manufactured with FN oversight, then they made clones. More images of the complete pistol would help. More image might tell if it was early and FN authorized or later clones.

Fellow board member pjk9hp previously posted on the mark, stating the mark "represents the image of the "Monumento a La Bandera" (Flag Monument) located in the city of Rosario in Santa Fe, Argentina where the FM factory is situated."

Here is an image from an FM Detective barrel with the FM mark,

[brad]

[ToddSig]

You have an FM (Argentina) manufactured frame and barrel mated with, best guess a MKIII FN slide, probably post 1988/89. I cant get a good look at the front bushing, if it is relatively flat, then MKIII. It does appear to have later sights. The frame looks to have some wear on it, so much older than the slide in my opinion. I dont think there is a good reference listing for FM serial numbers and date of manufacture.

Looks surplus, perhaps put together from arsenal parts? Just guessing. Was any info given to you when purchased?

[Bob Reed]

Todd's assessment is dead-on.

Brad, does the slide have the firing pin block, Type II sear lever?

[ToddSig]

Aug 13, 2022 14:09:13 GMT -5 Bob Reed said:

Brad, does the slide have the firing pin block, Type II sear lever?

Brad, Bob makes a good point. Can you post a few images of the underside of the slide. First as Bob mentions to see the style of sear lever and if it has a firing pin block (first appearing on late MKII High Powers, +/-1988). Also, sometimes FN would place proof marks on the firing pin housing which also might help date it.

Image below with the type II paddle sear lever and firing pin block/safety on left, earlier slide on right with type i sear lever. Note the marks on the firing pin housing.

[CXM]

The slide looks a bit odd to me... The heavy tool marks on the side of the slide look curious to me... I don't think FN ever shipped slides so unfinished at the one pictured... maybe under German occupation... but not otherwise.

I'm thinking of someone else... Possibly one of the Arab outfits that attempted to produce HPs over the years...

FWIW

Chuck