|
Post by jasv92 on Sept 19, 2023 14:09:15 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by ToddSig on Sept 20, 2023 13:13:17 GMT -5
jasv92 On the slide, the * over the E is the controller of the proof mark for Auguste Jamart who was at FN between 1924 and 1959. The barrel looks good and has the round cam, which typically means prewar and before 1938 or so. According to Vanderlinden, a pre war indicator is the A in a box under the left grip which was a final acceptance mark. I take it the A in a box was also used on other parts and areas of the High Powers, but that particular location indicates prewar. From the looks of it, and best I can see, the tangent site has full coverage up to 500 m rather than 60% converge. This indicates the Tangent sight you have was not sold with a shoulder stock. Regarding the serial number, Vanderlinden states FN prewar serial numbers range from 7-15,000. Although most produced were for contract orders. On the right side of your trigger guard in the number 8. Vanderlinden states this location was typically used for the buyer's acceptance officers, although not always used. If that is the case, perhaps yours is from a contract order. Given the KL on the back grip strap, your High Power was part of the 1937 Estonian contract.Vanerlinden' 3rd edition, page 715 notes the KL mark on the back grip strap as part of the Estonian contract. Vanderlinden states these were made with the type 2 tangent sights without shoulder stocks, like yours, and had either KL or EV marks on the rear grip strap. The first order was placed in 1936 for 120 pistols for police. In 1937 an order was placed for 5,338 pistols for the Estonian military. The contract specified a lighter trigger pull for the order. The KL stands for Kaitseliit (home guard). Vanderlinden has reported KL contract serial numbers ran between 73 and 2280. What a great piece of history and a rare find. Congratulations.
|
|
|
Post by ToddSig on Sept 20, 2023 13:20:11 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by ericrodrgz on Oct 2, 2023 2:26:11 GMT -5
Hello I am once again asking for help dating a FN Hi Power that I purchased. I understand that T series BHP according to Browning’s website were produced until 1969 and end with serial number T26100. However upon more research I now see that the T series continued until late T30000. The BHP that I bought is serial number T305417. I will try to include as many pictures as I can from the GunBroker auction as I can since I do not have the firearm physically yet. Thank you I appreciate the help
|
|
|
Post by ToddSig on Oct 2, 2023 9:54:50 GMT -5
ericrodrgz welcome to HPC forum. Very nice T series, thanks for sharing. Yes, T series serial numbers actually run into 1972 or so. I have T377390 and I have seen higher as well. I date it to 1972 based on some of the individual part production date marks. My barrel is marked with a 2 within a rhombus shaped polygon. This represents the first quarter of 1972. Given you serial number, possibly around +/- 1970. Without additional individual part images I cant get more specific on date. When you do get it, check the barrel lug for a single digit number with lines around it. Most likely a rhombus shaped pattern (as that mark was used between 1968 and 1977. The production marks are not always found, so dont be surprised if you dont see them, or only see one or two. Some sides might be missing, which signifies the quarter of the year for manufacture of the part. Please check the back side of the slide stop, the firing pin retaining plate (both sides), hammer, the barrel lug, the underside of the slide, trigger, and bottom of the grip for additional proof marks and the part production date. With that we should be able to get a pretty close time frame for you new pistol. Re the Geco mark on the trigger guard. It is the mark of a German retailer/importer. In addition to Geco, there is also Silesia, Akah, Noris, Hege,and Brigant. Silesia, Geco, and Akah are the most commonly seen. Image of production date on barrel, T377390 I have a +/- 1952 HP which has been customized, it has the Silesia mark on the trigger guard.
|
|
|
Post by ericrodrgz on Oct 2, 2023 12:34:48 GMT -5
I appreciate the response thank you for taking the time to reply
|
|
|
Post by willt1 on Oct 2, 2023 22:07:45 GMT -5
Hello. I am about to purchase an FN High Power but after days on the web I hear there are fakes out there. I looked over this forum and did not see anything that convinced me one way or another. Serial number 58697 on slide, frame and barrel. No import marking on the pistol. It looks like there is a "2" in a box and a "Z" on the left side of the barrel lug, a "7" on the firing pin retainer and maybe a very bold "8" or a "B" stamped over a very faint "2" in a box on the right front trigger guard. Unfortunately, I can not figure out how to insert pictures. They are all like 3mbps.
|
|
|
Post by willt1 on Oct 2, 2023 22:12:59 GMT -5
OK. Maybe I figured out how to get the pictures in. So what is it I am looking at?
|
|
|
Post by willt1 on Oct 2, 2023 22:23:17 GMT -5
OK. Three more pics if I am allowed. Thank you so much! William
|
|
|
Post by ToddSig on Oct 3, 2023 7:36:31 GMT -5
Hello. I am about to purchase an FN High Power but after days on the web I hear there are fakes out there. I looked over this forum and did not see anything that convinced me one way or another. Serial number 58697 on slide, frame and barrel. No import marking on the pistol. It looks like there is a "2" in a box and a "Z" on the left side of the barrel lug, a "7" on the firing pin retainer and maybe a very bold "8" or a "B" stamped over a very faint "2" in a box on the right front trigger guard. Unfortunately, I can not figure out how to insert pictures. They are all like 3mbps. Hello William and welcome to HPC. Dont be concerned about the originality of the High Power, all looks correct, original and authentic. Counterfeit marked Hi Power were manufactured by FEG around 1987/1988 and had later model version elements (external extractor, no slide half moon depression, hog nosed muzzle bushing) than your example's period of the early 1950s. From the production date on the barrel, the barrel appears to be made in the 3rd quarter of 1952. If the trigger guard date mark is also a 2 (hard to see), most parts seem to be manufactured in 1952. With that your pistol would be late 1952 or later, and probably in the 1953 -1956 range. I would guess in the earlier part of the range, but dating an early High Power is not always easy or an exact science. The * over L on the slide and frame is a controller of the proof mark and it belonged to Antoine Salmon who worked as a controller at FN between 1937 and 1968. Other marks appear to be typical inspection marks. You found a nice condition, all numbers matching, early to mid 19050s High Power. Thanks for sharing and enjoy. Keep us posted if you get it and how it shoots. Perhaps a few others can leave comments and verify my thoughts on the date range.
|
|
|
Post by willt1 on Oct 3, 2023 14:19:51 GMT -5
Todd, Thank you for the reply and all the information. I was concerned about it being a fake by the rough machine marks on the barrel lug and the "B" or "8" stamp on the trigger guard. Your feedback is leading me to buy this pistol now.
What about the little "7" in the circle on the firing pin retainer? Could that be a French style "1" indicating 1951?
Thanks again, William
|
|
|
Post by ToddSig on Oct 3, 2023 18:04:10 GMT -5
Todd, Thank you for the reply and all the information. I was concerned about it being a fake by the rough machine marks on the barrel lug and the "B" or "8" stamp on the trigger guard. Your feedback is leading me to buy this pistol now. What about the little "7" in the circle on the firing pin retainer? Could that be a French style "1" indicating 1951? Thanks again, William William happy to help out. There are all sorts of proof and inspection numbers, letters and symbols on Hi/High Powers. Unfortunately, we dont know what many of them mean. We do know some, like the controller of the proof marks, some acceptance marks, Belgian proof house marks, and part production dates (always used lines in different polygons. They did not use circles for production date. Other marks could be inspection marks for the part, which operator manufactured the part, etc. Should you purchase the HP, then you can take some time in inspecting all of the small marks, and perhaps they will add to the time period, or they too can make it more confusing. Part of this is just the mystery of FN and in owning an HP. Sort of like vintage Jaguar autos, it was considered a badge of owner to breakdown and be stranded!
|
|
|
Post by willt1 on Oct 3, 2023 19:17:04 GMT -5
Todd, Again, thanks for the feedback and info. Now I have questions about the "click test"... should I start a different thread since this thread is Date of Manufacture?
I know what you mean about proud ownership of machinery prone to have issues. I have a Ural motorcycle. They make Jags appear very dependable!
Wm
|
|
|
Post by ToddSig on Oct 3, 2023 20:01:04 GMT -5
Todd, Again, thanks for the feedback and info. Now I have questions about the "click test"... should I start a different thread since this thread is Date of Manufacture? I know what you mean about proud ownership of machinery prone to have issues. I have a Ural motorcycle. They make Jags appear very dependable! Wm William, check out this thread from Bob Reed on the click test. Add to it or ask questions for the group. highpowercollectors.proboards.com/thread/614/lieu-click-test-browning-powersFor more info on Hi Powers check out this post with some links to books and resources on the Hi power. Steven camps guide is a most have if you are serious about owning a Hi Power. highpowercollectors.proboards.com/post/9754
|
|
|
Post by cmdrcody on Oct 18, 2023 10:58:10 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.
|
|