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Post by cuzzicann on Mar 10, 2024 23:12:00 GMT -5
Hello this is my first time actually ever posting on a forum so please bear with me if I do something out of order but I will try my best. Recently I inherited a few firearms from my grandfather one of which is what I believe to be a Browning Hi Power handgun and I was looking to see if anyone can help me identify what exactly I have here. I was curious to know what all of the markings mean and whether it was Military or Civilian also what it's value might be? (don't worry I would never sell this heirloom regardless of cost) Some starting info:
Caliber: 9mm Serial Number: 77CXXXXX , I've learned that means it's a late T series model from 1977 There's also a couple pictures outlining various other markings which I think are either inspection or import marks maybe? I've attached quite a few pictures that I have taken of the firearm both assembled and disassembled. Thank you in advance for any replies. - Nick ![]() Side 1  Side 2  Slide  Caliber  Trigger Guard  Inside Slide 1  Inside Slide 2  Barrel Right  Barrel Left  |
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Post by tnorris on Mar 10, 2024 23:51:20 GMT -5
First off, I know it's a 9mm variant but I was curious to know what year it was manufactured, whether it was Military or Civilian and what it's value might be? (don't worry I would never sell this heirloom regardless of cost). There's also a couple pictures outlining various other markings which I think are either inspection or import marks maybe? I've attached quite a few pictures that I have taken of the firearm both assembled and disassembled. Thank you in advance for any replies. - Nick
Welcome, Nick. Nice selection of pictures.
The first two digits of the serial number are the date code (year). " C " is the product code. The rest of the serial number began at 1001 and was reset each year. This is a Browning High Power "C-Series" (for the product code) made at Fabrique Nationale in Herstal, Belgium for import into the USA by Browning Arms who was owned by FN or soon would be. It was not produced as part of a military contract.
The mark *T may be a Controller of Proof mark used by two inspectors overlapping... Laenen Clement from 1952-1986 and Vostes Gustave from 1974-1988. The barrel has a date code stamp for 1974 and the slide has a code for 1977. I would guess the first two digits of your serial number are 77 or later. The SN tells us when it was produced.
I think if you were to sell it that $300 is a fair price. I recently bought a similarly nice 74C for $1350. I am pleased with it, except for the price.
Your Grandfather picked a good one! It's a keeper, for sure.
Cheers, Tim
My 1974, noted above, with the red lined pouch they came with.
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Post by cmdrcody on Mar 11, 2024 7:17:55 GMT -5
You have a nice hi power there. I would grade condition at 80-85%. While is says made in Belgium, it was assembled in Viana Portugal where the parts were shipped to from Belgium for assembly.
I like your idea that as a gift you will keep it in your family. I would expect you would get well more than $300 for it as I would offer probably $600-700 with a resale value of $900-1000. But I assist a number of people in appraisal and resale of firearms. I’m sometimes considered a hard grader, but I recently saw a parkerized FN T-series “Franken-gun” sold by a local Cabela’s go for $799. The frame was from the late sixties with the slide being dated 1960 and the barrel mid fifties. I offered the $300 for it as a project gun. But someone out west bought it for $799.97. It was rusty inside but to each their own.
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Post by cmdrcody on Mar 11, 2024 10:31:58 GMT -5
First off, I know it's a 9mm variant but I was curious to know what year it was manufactured, whether it was Military or Civilian and what it's value might be? (don't worry I would never sell this heirloom regardless of cost). There's also a couple pictures outlining various other markings which I think are either inspection or import marks maybe? I've attached quite a few pictures that I have taken of the firearm both assembled and disassembled. Thank you in advance for any replies. - Nick
Welcome, Nick. Nice selection of pictures.
The first two digits of the serial number are the date code (year). " C " is the product code. The rest of the serial number began at 1001 and was reset each year. This is a Browning High Power "C-Series" (for the product code) made at Fabrique Nationale in Herstal, Belgium for import into the USA by Browning Arms who was owned by FN or soon would be. It was not produced as part of a military contract.
The mark *T may be a Controller of Proof mark used by two inspectors overlapping... Laenen Clement from 1952-1986 and Vostes Gustave from 1974-1988. The barrel has a date code stamp for 1974 and the slide has a code for 1977. I would guess the first two digits of your serial number are 77 or later. The SN tells us when it was produced.
I think if you were to sell it that $300 is a fair price. I recently bought a similarly nice 74C for $1350. I am pleased with it, except for the price.
Your Grandfather picked a good one! It's a keeper, for sure.
Cheers, Tim
My 1974, noted above, with the red lined pouch they came with.
I see slide and barrel as both first quarter 1977. Someone correct me if my eyes are deceiving me. |
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Post by cuzzicann on Mar 13, 2024 14:42:46 GMT -5
Thank you to both of you! You've helped me learn quite a bit about this firearm. I'm going to get it cleaned up and take it to the range but I'll be sure to take good care of it.
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Post by cmdrcody on Mar 13, 2024 17:48:57 GMT -5
Enjoy, when I shoot any of the firearms I got from my father and grandfather i feel they’re standing there with me.
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