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Post by ericthered on Oct 3, 2022 20:39:58 GMT -5
Although I've known about Belgium Browning's for a long time, I am new to actually owning one. I can tell from the markings that it is an FN Hi Power but it pretty much stops at that. As you can see, it has an aftermarket grips and rear sight. I would like to know a closer date on it and what it is so I can find period correct parts. I'm assuming it originally came with black plastic grips but I've seen others with brown wooden grips. Also, the front sight is pretty tall so I'm not even certain that is correct. Any help would be great....thanks, Eric |
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Post by tnorris on Oct 3, 2022 21:50:11 GMT -5
Although I've known about Belgium Browning's for a long time, I am new to actually owning one. I can tell from the markings that it is an FN Hi Power but it pretty much stops at that. As you can see, it has an aftermarket grips and rear sight. I would like to know a closer date on it and what it is so I can find period correct parts. I'm assuming it originally came with black plastic grips but I've seen others with brown wooden grips. Also, the front sight is pretty tall so I'm not even certain that is correct. Any help would be great....thanks, Eric
Hello Eric,
You have a High Power produced before 1960.
The charector */E was the "controller of proof" mark used by Jamart Auguste from 1924-1959. Without looking at other marks, there is a 4 on the front of the left side trigger guard. Usually we are looking for a number in a three sided box, which I cannot see in this location on either side, but it is possibly a 1954 pistol.
It has new sights and grips from a later period. It is unlikely you will be able to restore the sights to a "period correct" state, and I really think it would be a crime to do so. The sights on your pistol are far superior to the original sights and were probably added by a shooter... to make the pistol a better shooter... because the original sights were rather poor.
It would have come from the factory with checkered walnut grips.
Yours is possibly a very nice shooter and is not really a "collectible". Once you do any permanent mods, such as the sights, you have lost any value as collectible pistol. Right now it is as original as it ever will be again.
If you intend to shoot her, you MUST replace all of the springs including the SEAR SPRING to have it work safely. You should also replace the guide rod which was designed as a replaceable part. If your guide rod is original, it will have a slot for a screwdriver on the end facing the muzzle. There is a spring in there and it is not replaceable. Hang onto the guide rod for posterity.
I have a 1950 BHP which looks as good as yours. I updated her with SFS, to match the rest of my shooter BHPs, removed the magazine disconnect, added new grips and a buffered guide rod. I almost replaced the sights but elected at the last minute to keep the original sights. The upgrades I performed are all reversible. She shoots like a brand new pistol. A photo is attached.
If you wish to investigate date codes further, you are looking for a number in a three sided box. There should be one on the frame, the back of the firing pin retention plate and on a part of the barrel. Locations vary a bit. Some other parts may have them, too, and not all parts will have the same date code. On the frame, it is typically found on the right side front of the trigger guard. In 1950, it was on the left side and upside down. Send closeup photos of both locations and someone will take a look.
You have a very nice looking functional pistol!
Cheers,
Tim
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Post by ericthered on Oct 4, 2022 21:51:17 GMT -5
Tim, Thank you very much for the information, it was very helpful. I do like to collect things but not necessarily for a dollar value. My grandfather was in WWII and I like to collect things that he might have used during the war. I was hoping this was from that era but not disappointed it's not either. It is a piece of history as far as I am concerned and if the grip and sight was added much later I would like to go back to a time period. I have other "shooters" if that makes sense. I have always heard that a Hi Power is what you want in a firearm and glad to finally get this one. I have a few more pictures with markings if that is helpful to narrow it down. Being new to this forum, I am unsure how to add any more pictures. Your BHP is a thing of beauty, thank you for sharing that! Eric |
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Post by tnorris on Oct 5, 2022 8:08:44 GMT -5
Tim, Thank you very much for the information, it was very helpful. I do like to collect things but not necessarily for a dollar value. My grandfather was in WWII and I like to collect things that he might have used during the war. I was hoping this was from that era but not disappointed it's not either. It is a piece of history as far as I am concerned and if the grip and sight was added much later I would like to go back to a time period. I have other "shooters" if that makes sense. I have always heard that a Hi Power is what you want in a firearm and glad to finally get this one. I have a few more pictures with markings if that is helpful to narrow it down. Being new to this forum, I am unsure how to add any more pictures. Your BHP is a thing of beauty, thank you for sharing that! Eric
Good Morning Eric, Different dovetail cuts in the slide were probably required for the new sights. You have shooters interpretation of what a BHP should have been in your collection. He did well and appears to have taken really good care of it, but it is quite possible there is no going back to original sights. It's place in history includes well executed upgrades.
WWll German Occupation High Powers are still plentiful and pretty easy to identify. I have run across two in local gun shops. I passed on the first one at $450 because it looked horrible, the sales guy had no idea if it worked and I knew little about them at the time. In hindsight, I think it was a late 1944 "last ditch" pistol. I instantly bought the second one for $500 and believe it is from the spring of 1943-ish. Both were likely brought home by GIs after their service.
I am adding three photos from my 1950 pistol so you can find other date code stamps on yours.
There is a three photo per post limit on this forum.
Cheers,
Tim
Many DATE CODE stamps are poorly struck and seem to require some interpretation.
These are my interpretations:
On the barrel foot - Third quarter of 1948.
Trigger Guard - Fourth quarter 1950
Firing Pin Retaining Plate - Third quarter 1949
I selected this one to show you a "from the rear" view of period rear sights. The Date Code is stamped sideways at the top of the FP Retaining Plate in the rounded area.
Rotate counter 90 degrees counter clockwise.
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Post by ericthered on Oct 5, 2022 17:53:53 GMT -5
Tim,
Thanks for the reply and all of the information!!
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