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Post by ToddSig on Oct 18, 2023 13:50:49 GMT -5
I saw somewhere all the different stamps for parts by years/quarters from FN. Does anyone have a copy of this. I can’t remember where I saw it and it was a few years ago. I looked in the latest Verlinden but couldn’t find it there.In the third edition of Vanerlinden, book I, page 199-200 in the Proofs and Markings Chapter,
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Post by cmdrcody on Oct 18, 2023 18:24:58 GMT -5
Thanks found it.
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Post by cmdrcody on Oct 19, 2023 15:45:53 GMT -5
I was confused because one of my Browning roll marked 1968 T-series (from Browning list) had a square around a backward 6, the other a backward 7 while my 69C Browning shows 9 in a diamond shape. I was confused by the different shapes but now I can see it went from square to diamond shape in 1968. So my 1968 Captain slide was from 67. My higher 68 serial number regular slide is from 66 while it’s barrel show 67. My 69C slide is 2nd correction 1st trimester 69 and the barrel is third trimester 69.
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Post by tnorris on Oct 19, 2023 18:20:57 GMT -5
I was confused because one of my Browning roll marked 1968 T-series (from Browning list) had a square around a backward 6, the other a backward 7 while my 69C Browning shows 9 in a diamond shape. I was confused by the different shapes but now I can see it went from square to diamond shape in 1968. So my 1968 Captain slide was from 67. My higher 68 serial number regular slide is from 66 while it’s barrel show 67. My 69C slide is 2nd trimester 69 and the barrel is third trimester 69.
Good evening,
If you get the chance, could you post pictures of those dates codes that illustrate their location on the pistol, with the above notes? I don't currently have any '60s or '70s pistols for reference. I am always wondering when the stamped date codes disappeared and how their locations changed over time.
Thank you! Tim
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Post by ToddSig on Oct 19, 2023 18:32:15 GMT -5
I was confused because one of my Browning roll marked 1968 T-series (from Browning list) had a square around a backward 6, the other a backward 7 while my 69C Browning shows 9 in a diamond shape. I was confused by the different shapes but now I can see it went from square to diamond shape in 1968. So my 1968 Captain slide was from 67. My higher 68 serial number regular slide is from 66 while it’s barrel show 67. My 69C slide is 2nd trimester 69 and the barrel is third trimester 69. Also, according to Vanerlinden page 205, the inspector of proofs did not mark between 1968 and 1973 (of course in true FN manner, with some exceptions. I have 2 BAC Ts from 1968 per serial numbers, one has the inspectors mark, the other does not). This is the letter code with an asterisk over it.
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Post by cmdrcody on Oct 20, 2023 7:54:33 GMT -5
I was confused because one of my Browning roll marked 1968 T-series (from Browning list) had a square around a backward 6, the other a backward 7 while my 69C Browning shows 9 in a diamond shape. I was confused by the different shapes but now I can see it went from square to diamond shape in 1968. So my 1968 Captain slide was from 67. My higher 68 serial number regular slide is from 66 while it’s barrel show 67. My 69C slide is 2nd trimester 69 and the barrel is third trimester 69.
Good evening,
If you get the chance, could you post pictures of those dates codes that illustrate their location on the pistol, with the above notes? I don't currently have any '60s or '70s pistols for reference. I am always wondering when the stamped date codes disappeared and how their locations changed over time.
Thank you! Tim
This is my 69C slide and barrel lug. Slide is 1st trimester, barrel is 3rd trimester. I bought this in like new used condition in 1978.
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Post by cmdrcody on Oct 20, 2023 8:38:00 GMT -5
My 68 T-series T2400XX barrel That shows 4th qtr 1967 which works for a 1968 firearm.
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Post by tnorris on Oct 22, 2023 11:09:56 GMT -5
My 68 T-series T2400XX barrel That shows 4th qtr 1967 which works for a 1968 firearm.
Thank you for the excellent photos. I have copied and labeled them for date coding reference. I hope to have several from the '60s one day. The next one I am looking at is from the mid '70s... if the cost stays low without a last minute bidding frenzy!
Cheers, Tim
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Post by cmdrcody on Oct 23, 2023 9:12:24 GMT -5
I thought I would add dating of these four BHP’s Top left my silver slide .40 practical. This shows 1st trimester 1995 for barrel and 3rd trimester for the slide. 2W5NV serial number matches 1995. My 9MM practical shows This shows 3rd trimester 1994 barrel and 2nd trimester 1994 slide. Serial number 245NW 1994 matches.
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Post by cmdrcody on Oct 23, 2023 9:47:22 GMT -5
My 9MM Silver Chrome It shows 4th trimester 95 barrel with 2nd trimester 96 slide 245NT serial makes it a 1996 firearm. My .40 S&W Practical shows a 3rd trimester (I think) 95 barrel with 3rd trimester 95 slide. 2W5NT makes it a 1996 completion date for the firearm. The reason I put I think for the barrel was due to it looks like 4 sides but it could be three around the number 5. I actually bought these two new at the same time in 1996.
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Post by ahandgunner2 on Dec 21, 2023 16:11:12 GMT -5
Hi, I'm a newbie to this forum and read this entire (wonderful) post. Maybe some of you can help date mine and tell me if I'm right in my findings based on what I read? It is # 143,6xx marked on the frame, slide, and barrel at ejection port. I'm assuming Post ’45 “Classics” (circa ’46-’66), No thumbprint – therefore post ‘60, Internal extractor (pre-’62 (pre-66 at the latest)), *U proof – ‘60-’68 Fuchs Jacques, and Silesia - German retailer/importer. It has no import markings, so perhaps bought at a German retailer and "brought back" to the states? I have a few pics of the date code markings and they look like a reverse 5 (2 perhaps)? Anything you can tell me would be great. I'll post afew pics to help.
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Post by ahandgunner2 on Dec 21, 2023 16:21:38 GMT -5
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Post by ahandgunner2 on Dec 21, 2023 16:23:06 GMT -5
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Post by ahandgunner2 on Dec 22, 2023 8:23:19 GMT -5
Also, it looks like a mark inside the Silesia stamp - what would normally be there, a date code? Thanks.
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Post by ToddSig on Dec 22, 2023 11:33:14 GMT -5
Hi, I'm a newbie to this forum and read this entire (wonderful) post. Maybe some of you can help date mine and tell me if I'm right in my findings based on what I read? It is # 143,6xx marked on the frame, slide, and barrel at ejection port. I'm assuming Post ’45 “Classics” (circa ’46-’66), No thumbprint – therefore post ‘60, Internal extractor (pre-’62 (pre-66 at the latest)), *U proof – ‘60-’68 Fuchs Jacques, and Silesia - German retailer/importer. It has no import markings, so perhaps bought at a German retailer and "brought back" to the states? I have a few pics of the date code markings and they look like a reverse 5 (2 perhaps)? Anything you can tell me would be great. I'll post a few pics to help. Welcome to HPC ahandgunner2 Interesting serial number, hitting during the transition to the T series. Yours is one of the highest pre T serial numbers I have seen. The Browning chart has 1964 as the starting year of the T series, with serial numbers of 115823-T136568. So I assume non-T serial numbers ran up to 136500 or so, then transition into the T sequences. That said, it is well known that the T series serial numbers in the Browning date chart are not correct. Always cool to have one of the many exceptions to the rule. Regarding the number under the Silesia mark, most likely just a number indicating quality control, final inspection, part number, inspector number etc. Many Hi Powers of the period have these random letter and number marks, and there is no definitive source material for exactly what many are. I have an early 1950s HP which was refinished with a Silesia mark, same thing, marked over a K and something else, perhaps a part manufacture date. According to Vanderlinden's chart, and if I am reading your numbers correctly, the barrel appears to be a mirror image 5 with a box having an open bottom (your image is upside down). This corresponds to the 1st quarter of 1965. The slide looks like a mirror image 5 with a line over the top and down the right side, this would be a 2nd quarter part production date. You can also check your trigger, back of the slide stop, firing pin plate, and hammer for production dates as well. Some will have them, others may not. Here is an image of my Silesia mark over FN factory marks.
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