Technical and Historical Question Re: FN and FEG Hi Powers

[tpelle]

In all of my web crawling regarding FEG Hi Powers I've on several occasions seen that it's noted that FEG based their Hi Power clone on the "model 73" or "type 73" Hi Power. I presume that this refers to the year 1973.

However I see it noted in JayPee's MOST EXCELLENT book, "Decoding The FEG Hi Power", that FEG developed (by reverse-engineering, I presume) their P9 Hi Power clone in 1971.

Outside of resorting to a time machine, I just can't see that happening.  I hope that someone here can clear the following questions up for me:

• What exactly does "type 73" or "model 73" mean with regards to FN Hi Powers?
• What characteristics identify a "73" FN Hi Power as unique from all others?

Thanks in advance for the clarification on this matter.

[ToddSig]

I believe one of the main changes was the hog nosed bushing on the front of the slide (supposedly to protect the barrel crown?). Around 1988 they went back to the narrow or shallow bushing, similar to those on Hi Powers prior to 1973. Not sure if there were other changes or not.