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Post by canes173 on Jun 17, 2017 18:34:49 GMT -5
I may be trading into a pre war hi power, but I've never seen one without any markings on the slide. The frame s/n is 12xxx, the FN pistol book I have suggests it may fall into the Finn contract, but the slide has zero markings, s/n or even the billboard writing. Could it maybe be a knock off slide? The thumbprint looks a bit odd to me as well   |
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Post by CXM on Jun 18, 2017 7:34:04 GMT -5
I'm not one of the resident experts, I'm sure they will chime in shortly. With that disclaimer, I'll say that the slide does not look like an FN built slide. For one thing the 'thumb print' take down cut away on the right side of the slide is a good bit smaller than one on a FN built slide. Likewise the absence of roll marks is not consistent with an FN slide.
The grips look to be made by FEG with the lanyard look cut away.
Having an internal extractor suggests the pistol was made not later than the 1960s... which means it could be quite old.
It would be helpful to the identification if you could provide some close up photos of the slide and it's interior as well as the gun's frame as well as any proof marks on the gun.
The quality of workmanship looks pretty good...
I'll be interested to see what the experts have to say...
V/r
Chuck
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Post by gt40doc on Jun 18, 2017 13:26:53 GMT -5
I am far from being a HP expert, but we do have some on this forum. I agree that the slide does not look correct for an FN slide, to me. The thumb print is too small, and not configured correctly. Also, I am trying to figure out what I am seeing in your third photo...the end of the recoil spring guide rod!! It looks odd to me, but again, I am no expert.
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Post by sistema1927 on Jun 18, 2017 13:57:26 GMT -5
Well, either it is a knock off or a rare variant that fetches 10's of thousands of dollars. I have no clue.
Someone will be along soon and give us the answer.
How does it shoot?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2017 15:23:27 GMT -5
Hello to All,
I believe it to be a genuine FN GP35.
Looking at it, especially the trigger, which we can see lacks the mag disconnect hole, I'd guess that it's very very late German production, or alternatively, very very early postwar production.
I've read that after the Germans beat feet, the employees at FN made money by putting together Hi Powers from leftover parts to sell to GIs.
As to the thumbprint depression in the slide - especially late war there was a lot of variation in the size and shape, the object being to produce as many as possible in the shortest amount of time.
Submoa is currently being sequestered at an undisclosed location in the interest of national security. It would be interesting to read what he has to say on the subject.
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Post by CXM on Jun 18, 2017 16:08:27 GMT -5
That's interesting indeed... I have heard about the 'lunch box' HPs but have never seen one.... If it is indeed such a HP a WWII collector would probably pay a premium for it... If we could read the serial number it might shed some light on the matter. Here is the photo already posted as best I could enlarge it...  Appreciate all the info... V/r Chuck Hello to All, I believe it to be a genuine FN GP35. Looking at it, especially the trigger, which we can see lacks the mag disconnect hole, I'd guess that it's very very late German production, or alternatively, very very early postwar production. I've read that after the Germans beat feet, the employees at FN made money by putting together Hi Powers from leftover parts to sell to GIs. As to the thumbprint depression in the slide - especially late war there was a lot of variation in the size and shape, the object being to produce as many as possible in the shortest amount of time. Submoa is currently being sequestered at an undisclosed location in the interest of national security. It would be interesting to read what he has to say on the subject. |
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Post by canes173 on Jun 18, 2017 17:26:05 GMT -5
Thanks for the input guys, I have not gone for the trade as of yet. I would be into that pistol for roughly $600, so I'm not sure if that's worth it or not.....I guess that's the gamble.
The serial number is 12683 and I'll post the two other pics of markings, one from the heel of the grip, and the marking on the trigger guard.
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Post by canes173 on Jun 18, 2017 17:28:02 GMT -5
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Post by gt40doc on Jun 18, 2017 18:08:03 GMT -5
Mr. Burgs,
What am I seeing that is threaded on the distal end of the guide rod in his third photo. I don't recall ever seeing a HP guide rod with a threaded end......perhaps a bit of ignorance on my part!!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2017 19:59:43 GMT -5
The early HP guide rods could be disassembled into component parts for whatever reason. Post war they started making them as a permanent assembly not designed to be broken down into component parts.
The old and new guide rods are interchangeable, should one lose or damage an old one.
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Post by submoa on Jun 18, 2017 21:11:06 GMT -5
Hello to All, I believe it to be a genuine FN GP35. Looking at it, especially the trigger, which we can see lacks the mag disconnect hole, I'd guess that it's very very late German production, or alternatively, very very early postwar production. I've read that after the Germans beat feet, the employees at FN made money by putting together Hi Powers from leftover parts to sell to GIs. As to the thumbprint depression in the slide - especially late war there was a lot of variation in the size and shape, the object being to produce as many as possible in the shortest amount of time. Submoa is currently being sequestered at an undisclosed location in the interest of national security. It would be interesting to read what he has to say on the subject. Absolutely perfect Mr. Burg's, spot-on! Late Occupation "Lunch Box" gun or Immediate Post Occupation gun, a legitimate gun...for the reasons Mr. Burg's lays out. It's not pre-war...case closed. I'm away with only a phone this week...no computer, so I've had to view the pics on the small phone screen just to confirm Mr. Burg's observations. I do keep a 40X loop in my ruck that came in handy here. But...for those who can see the pics full-size, a question; is that an MR stamp on the underside of the barrel? Is that another MR stamp on the trigger guard root? I'll try to stop in periodically 😉. |
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Post by canes173 on Jun 18, 2017 21:31:45 GMT -5
Hello to All, I believe it to be a genuine FN GP35. Looking at it, especially the trigger, which we can see lacks the mag disconnect hole, I'd guess that it's very very late German production, or alternatively, very very early postwar production. I've read that after the Germans beat feet, the employees at FN made money by putting together Hi Powers from leftover parts to sell to GIs. As to the thumbprint depression in the slide - especially late war there was a lot of variation in the size and shape, the object being to produce as many as possible in the shortest amount of time. Submoa is currently being sequestered at an undisclosed location in the interest of national security. It would be interesting to read what he has to say on the subject. Absolutely perfect Mr. Burg's, spot-on! Late Occupation "Lunch Box" gun or Immediate Post Occupation gun, a legitimate gun...for the reasons Mr. Burg's lays out. It's not pre-war...case closed. I'm away with only a phone this week...no computer, so I've had to view the pics on the small phone screen just to confirm Mr. Burg's observations. I do keep a 40X loop in my ruck that came in handy here. But...for those who can see the pics full-size, a question; is that an MR stamp on the underside of the barrel? Is that another MR stamp on the trigger guard root? I'll try to stop in periodically 😉. I'm very glad I posted here! Yes, there appears to be an MR stamp on the underside of the barrel. I'm assuming this would be a solid trade piece if I'm into it for $500-$600 then? Thanks again to everyone here who has posted, I appreciate the help! |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2017 22:10:35 GMT -5
I'm glad that Submoa had been able break his security blackout and solve the mystery. I've been poking about the books and can add the following: The various marks at the bottom of the mag well are assemblers marks. There's a picture of such on page #295 of Anthony Vanderlinden's book, "FN BROWNING PISTOLS"
Also, best I can tell, the change to the permanently assembled guide rod (as opposed to the earlier version shown that could be disassembled into individual component parts) took place in the 1960s.
The new style guide rod will fit in an older FN or Inglis Hi Power, and vice versa.
Canes173, I'm glad that you took the time to post this most interesting Hi Power here. I think I speak for one and all when I say that I hope you choose to stick around and become a regular contributor.
I make it a habit to not speak as to value - however in this case I feel confident in saying that $600 is a worthwhile price for that pistol.
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Post by jaypee on Jun 19, 2017 5:59:39 GMT -5
Canes173, let me add my voice to that of Mister Burgs when he says he hopes you stick around and become a regular contributor. I feel the same way and hope we can become home base for your pistol discussions. We're glad to have you.
JayPee
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Post by sistema1927 on Jun 19, 2017 8:22:33 GMT -5
$600? And you haven't bought it yet?
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