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Post by zach019 on Nov 12, 2019 12:52:26 GMT -5
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Post by abninftr on Nov 12, 2019 16:51:26 GMT -5
The pictures could be better. A close up of the markings on the left side would be useful, as would a picture of the barrel cam/lug.
That said, I see what appears to be a Waffenamt on the slide and frame. This (if correct), the low serial number, and other markings would indicate that it is an early German Occupation weapon. There is something else of note that I saw in one picture, but I'll withhold comment and see if anyone else notices it. The finish appears to be original although significantly worn.
Value is subjective. Firstly, it is a matter of what the seller and buyer will agree upon. Secondly, is the pistol being purchased for historically significant collector value or as a 'shooter' or range gun? And then, prices vary tremendously depending upon region and local demand.
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Post by CXM on Nov 12, 2019 17:34:45 GMT -5
It has the WaA markings... from the serial number I'm thinking a 1942 or so gun... but I'm not by any means expert on the Occupation guns.
It is hard to say from the photos, but while the finish isn't much, the gun looks to be in fairly good mechanical condition...
I would definitely not shoot +P or +P+ ammo in that gun... It is fairly likely it will not shoot reliably with hollow point ammo either.
I"d clean it up some but I would not have it refinished... that would destroy any collector value the gun has... While it can be shot, newer HPs are much better choices for a shooter... German marked stuff continues to rise in value.
Given the condition of the gun, and the relative number of occupation guns on the market I would expect it to sell for around $500 here... though it is worth noting HP values to vary from region to region...
FWIW
Chuck
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Post by abninftr on Nov 12, 2019 19:42:29 GMT -5
Did you notice anything else.
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Post by zach019 on Nov 12, 2019 20:37:33 GMT -5
Thank you for the replies it is greatly appreciated.
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Post by tnorris on Nov 13, 2019 6:14:15 GMT -5
I agree with all of the above. It is likely an occupation gun from the first year when they still had pre occupation parts in stock. By early '43 the tangent sights were gone and the trigger no longer had the magazine disconnect safety. My 1943 cost $500 and may be in better condition re rust.
If you intend to shoot it, there are parts you can and should replace with new parts.
Save the original 77 year old parts!
Cool gun... I'd love to have one like it in my collection.
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Post by CXM on Nov 13, 2019 9:56:13 GMT -5
Nope Did you notice anything else. |
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Post by Bob Reed on Nov 13, 2019 15:07:51 GMT -5
Hello,
Occupation production started at about Serial No. 50,001 in 1940 and ran into the 212,000 range. At the beginning of 1943 a new numbering system started and, the small letter 'a' suffix was added for the first 100,000 units and then the 'b' suffix was used on the last 63,000.
Going by the low serial number, it was probably made in 1940.
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Post by abninftr on Nov 13, 2019 17:44:25 GMT -5
A clue: anything significant about the sights?
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Post by tnorris on Nov 13, 2019 19:27:33 GMT -5
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Post by jonnyc on Nov 13, 2019 21:58:48 GMT -5
My first thoughts were that the slide release/holder looked too nice and wasn't original, and that it had an Inglis front sight blade. I could easily be wrong on both counts.
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Post by abninftr on Nov 13, 2019 23:15:54 GMT -5
The rear sight is of historical interest and offers us some information. I'll refer you to Blake Stevens' book since it is considered by many to be the definitive High Power book. The same 'Occupation' model pistol is pictured on page 79 (Fig. 67), and pre-war 500 m tangent sight pistol is shown on page 73 (Fig. 64).
The rear tangent is marked for 500 metres from end to end. This was a change from the earliest commercial tangent sight models which were calibrated and marked for 1000m. There was an interim 500m model that used the 1000m slide with a tangent blade that was marked only halfway (500m) from the back.
Why is this of interest (to me at least)? It and the S/N tell use it was produced during the earliest days of occupation. It also tells us, given its low S/N, that it possibly could be an unfinished pre-war pistol to which the Germans applied Waffenamts once they restarted production. Admittedly, the latter is speculation. None the less, the pistol 'fleshes out' so to speak, some of FN's history during the early occupation since it provides further evidence for what we already know Thanks to researchers like the Late R. Blake Stevens.
ADDED: The front sight blade is on a step. The previously mentioned figure 64 illustrates it best.
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Post by Bob Reed on Nov 14, 2019 9:00:22 GMT -5
Hello, Abninftr, I knew you were heading somewhere with that rear sight, but, since it appears completely correct, I couldn't figure out just where you were going yesterday. Excellent work, mate, excellent work indeed. Also, the incline (ramp) along the sides of the rear sight's pocket that the cursor slides up as distance is increased is correct for the fully graduated, 500 meter sight on Zach's HP. For those that don't have Blake Stevens' book, follow the link below and notice the above mentioned incline on Serial No. 35 at the top of the page - the incline that the cursor rides on gradually increases and then levels off. The different 500 meter sights that Abninftr is talking about is further down the page. www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2015/9/23/80-years-of-the-belgian-high-power/Now, look at a side view of Zach's High Power and you'll notice how the incline for the sight's cursor gradually increases and then decreases towards the front, which is machined correctly for the fully graduated 500 meter tangent. ibb.co/JkbthBrZach, you have a really nice, early occupation FN High Power. |
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Post by zach019 on Nov 17, 2019 7:21:25 GMT -5
Thank you all again I learned ALOT reading all the replies!
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Post by bandito on Nov 17, 2019 8:22:07 GMT -5
So, zach019 do you want that??? If not let me know. Be Well, Bandito.
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