Strange plug at the bottom of frame/magwell area

[lazyacres]

Hi friends,

I just picked up a high power. It an A-prefix. I tried googling, but I only see solid heels in all the search results, that I have seen at least.



Any significance to the plug? Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

Apologies if this question is in the wrong area.

Thank you

[tnorris]

Aug 22, 2022 15:45:23 GMT -5 lazyacres said:

Hi friends,

I just picked up a high power. It an A-prefix. I tried googling, but I only see solid heels in all the search results, that I have seen at least.

Any significance to the plug? Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

I believe the plug is the remnant of the lanyard ring.

Please show us more pictures!

If yours is an A-prefix, it should be indicated in the serial number string on the frame.

I think the "A in the square" from your photo is just an acceptance mark.

Cheers,

Tim

[lazyacres]

Sure thing! Here are some more pics

[ToddSig]

Welcome to HPC. Thanks for posting the images. Do all of the serial numbers match, barrel, slide and frame? Reason I ask, is an A series High Power dates to around 1944/45. The slide has no thumb depression and an external extractor. This dates the slide post 1962. Not sure of the plug, the lanyard ring makes the most sense, but most are on the lower side of the grip and not the base. I cant make out some of the other proof marks, which would help in identifying the various parts.

[lazyacres]

Hi ToddSig,

All of the numbers match. Frame, slide, and barrel. Slide and barrel just lack the A-prefix. I can try to take more pictures of the different proof marks when I get home from the office. Thank you kindly for the assistance so far.

[tnorris]

Aug 23, 2022 13:21:55 GMT -5 ToddSig said:

Welcome to HPC. Thanks for posting the images. Do all of the serial numbers match, barrel, slide and frame? Reason I ask, is an A series High Power dates to around 1944/45. The slide has no thumb depression and an external extractor. This dates the slide post 1962. Not sure of the plug, the lanyard ring makes the most sense, but most are on the lower side of the grip and not the base. I cant make out some of the other proof marks, which would help in identifying the various parts.

I found a reference to the lanyard ring near the top of page 336, Vanderlinden Second Edition.

In 1940 the Danish ordered Tangent/Slotted pistols with a lanyard ring that did not interfere with the shoulder stock.... FN came up with a bottom mounted rotating lanyard ring. Magazine removal was more difficult.

The contract was not filled until 1946 due to the war.

The Danish contract guns have special markings.

Perhaps this is an "A" prefix frame with a post '62 slide. I recall reading some "A" prefix pistols were issued in the '60s, having been stored and forgotten about for a long time.

Cheers,

Tim

[Bob Reed]

Thank You, Tim! I was about to get the books out myself.

[lazyacres]

Found this picture of a Kareem clone with some google-fu. I was reading on some other forums that some of the A-prefix guns might have been sent to Israel. Will post more pictures when I get home.