qestions on a browning high power

[vitts]

This is my sixth high power in what has become a growing collection. After looking for one for 3 years they are now coming at me from all over. This latest is serial # 26760a, all matching, non import, WaA 140, in all appropriate spots. I have a few questions on it though. I suspect it has been refinished. The true color does not show up well in photos. It has what could best be described as plum colored tone that is often found on P.38 frames and I believe is attributed to poor or dirty solutions in the blueing process. Several of the small parts like, mag release, hammer, front and rear sights,safety lever, slide release/take down lever are all blued. Trigger in the white along with barre land spring. The grip are the proper wood checkered but they are lighter in color than the other war time pistols I own. They are both red on the inside of the grip panels with a 2S stamped on them. The mag is a war issue, blued,aluminum follower,with a split base, and a 4 stamped on the bottom of the spine.

My question are....

I know I have heard of grip panels with the red on the inside of the panels but can not find any information on the significance of them.



ARe there any reports of other pistols finished like this or has this been refinished?

The best part is I only paid $400 for this pistol. I t came with two extra post war mags that I have sold on the e-stand for $55 so my total investment in this is $345.

Even if it is a refinished pistol I still have a nice shoote at a very good price..

Do not hold back on any opinions... thank you vitts

[vitts]

the pics realy do not show the true color best described as plum

[r.blue]

Vitts,
From the photos it looks to be refinished. But as you said a nice shooter or carry gun.
R.Blue

[Dick Pumphrey]

Grip plates.

Hi Vitts,
Nice looking Hi-power and it should make a great "shooter"! I am also a big fan of these pistols and have a couple still. Way back in the early 1970's I worked in a local gun shop and spent some time checking out new Hi-powers as they came in from suppliers. The grip plates with the "red" interior color were at that time on new factory fresh pistols from Browning. I have never seen a wartime pistol with this finish on the grip interiors. Hope this is of some help.
Regards,
Dick

[rogerbh]

I have 3 Nazi Browning HiPowers. None of them have an "in the white" trigger.
(1 second variation and 2 third variations)


Do your other 5 Nazi HiPowers have blued triggers?

[vitts]

yes they are all blued triggers. One is a pre war with tangent sight and slot but ist is also blued. I have thought about sending this pistol out to a fellow named thor to have it put back into original conditionI have seen his work and it is excellent, but then it is still a reconditioned pistol. What do you think? thanks for your thoughts vitts

[Jokka]

Before invasion of Belgium, the grip-plates where red on the backside. WW2 pistols made of pre-invasion parts have these grips. They have also WaA613 stamps. Approx 20.000 made. I'll guess that your gun has grips and maybe other parts from another hi-power + been refinished to fix it all up.