Browning Hi-Power

[Wilhelm]

Did the Brandenburgers have Hi Powers issued to them as well? By WWII standards this was a real hot pistol. That is a very nice example.
Wilhelm

[robcox1]

I'm not a HP guy, so maybe this is a stupid question. I see what looks like about 4 areas where the finish is completely worn off, the serial number area on the frame being the most obvious. Is this something that is normally ignored on high-powers?

I'm asking because when I looked at the photos I saw a pistol I would pass on due to the finish wear, but it seems to be getting good reviews. I realize that pistols often have holster wear, but this looks worse to me. What is everybody else seeing that I am missing? Just looking to expand my knowledge base.

Thanks, Rob

[cossack1648]

I think that finish is OK. It is probably the lighting of the pistol for the photo. Tool marks go in different direction in those areas and reflect light differently, so some areas look brighter that the others. Another photo from another angle would verify that.
Jack

[gnadenlose]

The SS were issued many captured weapons, and the Browning HP was no exception

From Wikipedia:

Browning Hi-Power pistols were used during World War II by both Allied and Axis forces. After occupying Belgium in 1940, German forces took over the FN plant. German troops subsequently used the Hi-Power, having assigned it the designation Pistole 640(b) ("b" for belgisch, "Belgian"). Examples produced by FN in Belgium under German occupation bear German inspection and acceptance marks, or Waffenamts, such as WaA613. In German service, it was used mainly by Waffen-SS and Fallschirmjäger personnel.

And mine: http://warrelics.eu/forum/collection...teens-9686-11/

[Douglas Jr.]

Well this is a pistol made towards the end of the German occupation (block "b" series, all made during 1944). Their finish is known for being very rough.

Douglas

[Tobysauer]

I'm not a HP guy, so maybe this is a stupid question. I see what looks like about 4 areas where the finish is completely worn off, the serial number area on the frame being the most obvious. Is this something that is normally ignored on high-powers?

I'm asking because when I looked at the photos I saw a pistol I would pass on due to the finish wear, but it seems to be getting good reviews. I realize that pistols often have holster wear, but this looks worse to me. What is everybody else seeing that I am missing? Just looking to expand my knowledge base.

Thanks, Rob

I agree with you Rob, But as I do not know anything about these pistols I didnt like to comment either! This is an excellent forum and its amazing the stuff there is to learn, the linishing marks either side of the trigger pin would have normally put me off if I had seen this for sale, as it looks to me like the serial number could have been altered/ re stamped!! So I guess they must have been banging these out left right and centre during the later war years so finish was no concern !! Well thanks to you guys I learn something new every day on WAF

[nomadr]

This is a very late production pistol and the finish look correct to me! I personalty like the late pistols for that reason. Production was rushed and steps were bypassed to get them out the door!

The numbers do not look altered to me at all! Take a close look and you'll see the number fonts all match. They were struck by the same die!

Nice late war rig

Bob

[Tobysauer]

This is a very late production pistol and the finish look correct to me! I personalty like the late pistols for that reason. Production was rushed and steps were bypassed to get them out the door!

The numbers do not look altered to me at all! Take a close look and you'll see the number fonts all match. They were struck by the same die!

Nice late war rig

Bob

Hi Bob, I agree the pistol is all matching and the number dies are the same,there is no doubt about that! what I was trying to say was at a quick glance if I saw this at a fair I would have been suspicious and would not have given it a second look! I have not seen this kind of workmanship on a German pistol before and find this very interesting! I now know to look a bit closer in future !! Regards Tobysauer.

[Douglas Jr.]

I have not seen this kind of workmanship on a German pistol before and find this very interesting! I now know to look a bit closer in future !! Regards Tobysauer.

Then you should see the late war P38s made by Spreewerke!

[robcox1]

FWIW, my issue is not with the workmanship or the serial numbers. It is with the spots where the finish was ground off. The serial number area shows it best because the numbers still have the dark original finish in them but they are surrounded by a bright area where the finish was ground off. I still don't understand why that was done. Rob

[phild]

FWIW, my issue is not with the workmanship or the serial numbers. It is with the spots where the finish was ground off. The serial number area shows it best because the numbers still have the dark original finish in them but they are surrounded by a bright area where the finish was ground off. I still don't understand why that was done. Rob

I think that the areas that appear bright to you and some others are simply the light reflections in the photos due to the surface finish under the blue in those specific places.

I think that the HP has about 98% more or less finish...about mint in other words. These later war HPs generally were finished with a very thin salt blue with irregular surface prep......a lot of HPs that I have seen have huge amounts of finish missing from scrubbing due to rust from spending a week or so in wet holster.

[Frogprince]

I think that the areas that appear bright to you and some others are simply the light reflections in the photos due to the surface finish under the blue in those specific places.

I think that the HP has about 98% more or less finish...about mint in other words. These later war HPs generally were finished with a very thin salt blue with irregular surface prep......a lot of HPs that I have seen have huge amounts of finish missing from scrubbing due to rust from spending a week or so in wet holster.

As mentioned earlier, Spreewerke pistols IMO were worse. And I'm inclined to agree with the above. You also have to remember that they were made in occupied Belgium, not Germany. And if the Allies were not yet already "knocking at the door" they soon would be, with the plant being taken over by them in 1944. FP

[Paul G]

Pistol is worth $800 to $900 in the condition shown.
Holster $150 to $200
Extra mag $150 to $200 (depending on markings)

That's at least $1100 on the bottom side. So the price sounds fair to me!

Room for a little negotiating! Good luck.

Bob

This is exactly what I was thinking, except the holster being a little higher. I can't find one that nice for under $250

PG-

[dag001]

That appears to be an extremely nice 1944 made Browning. With the holster and extra magazine, I wouldn't let it slip through my fingers. You may look a long time for another late-war HP that nice.

[MikeP]

I believe the point is that this rig is not commonly seen in this condition.

I would not expect any wiggle room on the price.

Money is tight now, but primo items are rarely discounted.