|
Post by johno on Apr 19, 2024 14:46:46 GMT -5
Hello,
My 9mm High Power, that I've not long had, has only a 5 digit serial number on the frame (472**) with no lettering or other markings before or after the number. I've been looking through the other threads here in hope of understanding more about the age etc. but with little luck. One person I was speaking to suggested that the gun might have originally been part of a military batch of weapons and that the numbering system used then would have been for that order. On the slide it states "Browning Arms Company St Louis Mo & Montreal PQ, Made in Belgium"
Any help would be much appreciated.
Johno
|
|
|
Post by cmdrcody on Apr 19, 2024 15:53:54 GMT -5
We need pictures of it including the serial number to be able to help. Include the front grip strap where the SN should be
|
|
|
Post by ToddSig on Apr 19, 2024 18:14:17 GMT -5
Welcome to HPC johnoAs cmdrcody states, we would need to see images of the HP, both sides, details images of the marks. What is interesting is the serial number of 472XX which is a low number, with a Browning St Louis/Montreal slide. Most Browning marked HPs (rather than FN roll marked) were for the commercial/sporting market, first imported to the US around 1954 but starting with serial numbers in the 70000 range. Also, the roll mark with Montreal on it, makes it post 1958, which is when the Montreal office was opened. Possible slide and frame dont match, but before any credible identifications, images are needed. Post some images(any marks, letters, numbers etc, also we need to see the muzzle bushing, hammer, all which give clues) and we should be able to figure out what is going on.
|
|
|
Post by johno on May 13, 2024 15:54:53 GMT -5
Thank you all for trying to assist me in my endeavor to see what I have here. I shall provide additional photos but can only provide a few at a time.
|
|
|
Post by johno on May 13, 2024 15:59:42 GMT -5
A few more photos for identification purposes. Thanks.
|
|
|
Post by cmdrcody on May 13, 2024 17:08:43 GMT -5
Well your slide is after around 1963 since it does not have the disassembly notch/internal extractor. As Todd said your serial number would be from earlier. I’m thinking FN contract HP that had a cracked slide replaced with a slide from late 60’s to mid 70’s. It was hard to make out the slide codes. The firing pin retaining plate has a 1961 date code so it doesn’t match the slide. This seems to be a cobbled together gun, though the barrel matches the frame, the slide matches neither.
|
|
|
Post by ToddSig on May 13, 2024 18:24:50 GMT -5
What cmdrcody said. In addition, the * over R on the barrel and frame is the proof mark of Sylvain Wagemans, who worked between 1951 and 1965. The serial number 47492 is probably early 1950s. I have one with a serial number of 40230 which dates to 1952. As cmdrcody says, the frame is probably FN contract as Browning did not import into the US until 1954 with starting serial numbers at 70000, so again more indication of an FN frame married to the later slide. The slide as noted is post 1962/1963 with the external extractor, and the St Louis/Montreal roll mark ran until about 1969, after 69 St Louis was dropped and Morgan Utah added. So the slide is probably between 1963 to 1969 and the frame and barrel dating to the early 1950s. Nice shooter.
|
|
|
Post by tnorris on May 15, 2024 14:28:25 GMT -5
... The serial number 47492 is probably early 1950s. I have one with a serial number of 40230 which dates to 1952...
I have a photo of frame #566XX which is stamped for 1952. I cannot make out three sides of the box. It does have a side on the left... which seems to indicate it was not stamped 4th Quarter, 1952.
Cheers, Tim
|
|