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Post by cmdrcody on Feb 10, 2024 14:17:00 GMT -5
I think I wouldn’t mind getting one of these. I need to hope I stop getting Smith & Wesson’s dropped in my lap. Today’s is a 5 screw K-22 Combat Masterpiece pre model 18.
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Post by ToddSig on Feb 11, 2024 10:41:01 GMT -5
So, I won the GB auction for the Danish contract HP Wed evening, paid Thursday morning, it shipped on Thursday, and UPS delivered it Saturday afternoon. Nice, as I find the wait for delivery the hardest part of the purchase process. After a quick cleaning and looking at the various parts and components, it is pretty much what I had expected, but also some differences. Condition is exactly as expected as the online images were plentiful and good, so decent condition, wear, a few scratches, minor blue loss, not pristine, but for 1946 military HP, not too bad. In looking at proof and production marks, of course the M1946 for model 1946 for the Danes. The trigger guard, safety, hammer and slide stop all marked with a 6 for 1946. Firing pin is also marked but illegible. On the frame under the grip, just above the grip opening is a semi illegible mark, either a 6, 5 or S in a box. Frame and slide marked by * over an E, proof mark of Auguste Jamart, 1924-1959. Jamart’s mark is also on image in Vanderlinden, third edition re the Danish contract. Grips appear to be correct and of the period, but there is a newer brown paint on the backs. Unfortunately the magazine is not the original as I had thought or hoped, it is date marked from 1950. Both the underside of the slide and the top of the barrel hood (serial numbers all match) are marked Hammerli, a Swiss arms company, which of course is interesting and brings up a multitude of questions. The barrel also has a production date mark of 1948, so post contract, but the serial number is correct. The inspector mark on the barrel is a *G, for Josef Charlier who worked between 1928-1959. I have done some initial research on this and I have found several 1946 Danish contract HPs with the Hammerli marks. Some speculated that Hammerli made barrels for FN. Then proofed by FN, but that does not fit with the 1948 production date for the barrel as I believe the contract was fulfilled in 1946. Others did not care to speculate, but thought given the contract and production was so soon after WWII, the FN factory having been bombed, production could have been assisted by other firms of the period or other manufacturing complications, but all unspecific. The main issue with these opinions/speculation are the production mark does not make these 1946 production scenario work. My own opinion, which of course is pure speculation, is, taking the early post occupation contract, perhaps there was a quality control issue with barrel production and the Danes perhaps on their own or working through FN to correct the barrel issues contracted with Hammerli. FN supplied new barrels, and Hammerli matched the new barrel to the frame/slide serial number, marked the barrel with the proper serial number and installed. This was done about 2 years after the contract. Again only pure speculation, but given the production date and different FN inspector mark on the barrel from the frame and slide, it seems to make sense, at least to me. In any event, an interesting High Power. It will be fun doing further research. A few images after a quick initial cleaning. Any thoughts or comments are of course most welcome, especially on the Hammerli marks.
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Post by cpwlew on Feb 11, 2024 16:19:17 GMT -5
Jim Hoag worked on one of my guns, and I went to his shop several times. When you get around to it, I'd love to see what you have by him. Mr C, unfortunately a Hoag HP is not yet in my collection. Not to say I have not been looking, as he is at the top of my wish list. I have customs by many of the top HP smiths, including 2 by Austin Behlert, a Garthwaite, Yost, Novak, Williams/Actionworks, Nighthawk Custom, Terry Tussey, C&S and some other lesser known smiths. If you know of a Hoag HP that is availalbe, please let me know. I have never strayed from the 'FN' HiPowers as I have to have some limits and can't afford everything. Plus it is hard to find anything unusual these days.
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Post by ToddSig on Feb 11, 2024 18:29:35 GMT -5
I have never strayed from the 'FN' HiPowers as I have to have some limits and can't afford everything. Plus it is hard to find anything unusual these days. cpwlew I totally agree it is getting harder and harder to find interesting and unique Hi Powers. There are plenty of the typical more standard versions, but those with interest, crests, known pistolsmiths etc you have to wait and be patient, and also perhaps go over budget to acquire. I look at my collection not as an financial investment but more of a passion investment. It is a hobby first, I would like to shoot more, but I get a lot of enjoyment out of acquiring them, especially the unique ones. I too dont have an unlimited budget, but I do look at the collection as a respectable and important store of value. I have gotten some good deals over the past decade and I have also probably over paid to get an HP I really wanted and did not wish to wait. As I have been collecting HPs for over 10 years I suppose if I liquidated the collection, after selling costs I would at least break even and more than likely come out with a net positive side. Probably the same for my HP spare parts, grip collection, period mags, boxes and other accessories. At least that is what I tell myself.
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Post by cpwlew on Feb 12, 2024 19:14:20 GMT -5
I have never strayed from the 'FN' HiPowers as I have to have some limits and can't afford everything. Plus it is hard to find anything unusual these days. cpwlew I totally agree it is getting harder and harder to find interesting and unique Hi Powers. There are plenty of the typical more standard versions, but those with interest, crests, known pistolsmiths etc you have to wait and be patient, and also perhaps go over budget to acquire. I look at my collection not as an financial investment but more of a passion investment. It is a hobby first, I would like to shoot more, but I get a lot of enjoyment out of acquiring them, especially the unique ones. I too dont have an unlimited budget, but I do look at the collection as a respectable and important store of value. I have gotten some good deals over the past decade and I have also probably over paid to get an HP I really wanted and did not wish to wait. As I have been collecting HPs for over 10 years I suppose if I liquidated the collection, after selling costs I would at least break even and more than likely come out with a net positive side. Probably the same for my HP spare parts, grip collection, period mags, boxes and other accessories. At least that is what I tell myself.
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Post by cpwlew on Feb 12, 2024 19:15:12 GMT -5
cpwlew I totally agree it is getting harder and harder to find interesting and unique Hi Powers. There are plenty of the typical more standard versions, but those with interest, crests, known pistolsmiths etc you have to wait and be patient, and also perhaps go over budget to acquire. I look at my collection not as an financial investment but more of a passion investment. It is a hobby first, I would like to shoot more, but I get a lot of enjoyment out of acquiring them, especially the unique ones. I too dont have an unlimited budget, but I do look at the collection as a respectable and important store of value. I have gotten some good deals over the past decade and I have also probably over paid to get an HP I really wanted and did not wish to wait. As I have been collecting HPs for over 10 years I suppose if I liquidated the collection, after selling costs I would at least break even and more than likely come out with a net positive side. Probably the same for my HP spare parts, grip collection, period mags, boxes and other accessories. At least that is what I tell myself.
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Post by cpwlew on Feb 17, 2024 11:22:39 GMT -5
Pictures of the Danish holster for the Danish HiPower contract. Attachments:
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Post by ToddSig on Feb 17, 2024 11:56:55 GMT -5
Pictures of the Danish holster for the Danish HiPower contract. Thanks for sharing the images of the Danish holster and the Crown over HV crest. I am looking at a couple on Simpson LTD. Is the example you posted being offered for sale? Thanks
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Post by ToddSig on Feb 17, 2024 17:19:30 GMT -5
Just ordered one off of Simpson LTD.
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Post by cpwlew on Feb 19, 2024 7:18:53 GMT -5
Pictures of the Danish holster for the Danish HiPower contract. Thanks for sharing the images of the Danish holster and the Crown over HV crest. I am looking at a couple on Simpson LTD. Is the example you posted being offered for sale? Thanks It is not for sale as I have the Danish HiPower Pistol.
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Post by Bob Reed on Feb 19, 2024 7:55:42 GMT -5
Todd, that holster is nice! I'm glad it all came together for you.
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Post by ToddSig on Feb 19, 2024 8:54:26 GMT -5
Todd, that holster is nice! I'm glad it all came together for you. Thanks Bob. I have been cleaning and working on it for the past few days. It has cleaned up very nicely. Once I get the holster will post additional images.
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Post by ToddSig on Feb 19, 2024 9:51:06 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing the images of the Danish holster and the Crown over HV crest. I am looking at a couple on Simpson LTD. Is the example you posted being offered for sale? Thanks It is not for sale as I have the Danish HiPower Pistol. It is a great looking holster in fantastic condition. Would love to see your Danish HP, can you post some images when you have a chance? Also, does yours have the Hammerli marks? Do you have any insight on the Dansih contract pistols with the Hammerli markings? As I posted, my guess is there were some issues with quality control and Hammerli possibly through FN did the repairs and barrel replacements. But, that is pure speculation on my part.
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Post by Mister Coffee on Feb 19, 2024 13:10:54 GMT -5
@todd That really is a cool-looking holster. Did the Danes finish the leather in a different way for a particular reason do you suppose?
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Post by ToddSig on Feb 19, 2024 18:32:00 GMT -5
@todd That really is a cool-looking holster. Did the Danes finish the leather in a different way for a particular reason do you suppose? Thanks Mr C, hope to have it in hand later this week. Not sure on the holster finish. Vanderlinden states the holster pattern was introduced in 1946 with the HP contract. That leaves a lot of open questions, was in designed by FN for the the contract, who manufactured it, was FN or was it the Danish military. The flap holster is meant to keep the pistol away from the elements and fully covered. So with that, the Danes must have been considering the long term care and effects on the contract. I have searched for more info on the contract, but have come up with very little of substance and credibility beyond the 1946 contract and 1700 HPs produced.
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