This is the last of three WW2 Nazi marked pistols I recently stumbled upon. Meet the FN pistol we all know that John Browning designed for Belgium. The ubiquitous High Power, or P-35 if you prefer.



Straight out of the occupied FN factory in Belgium.



Unlike small, lower caliber pistols like the Walther PPK and FN 1922 I previously shared, large combat pistols like the Hi-Power were apparently issued to the combat units. This is eminently believable given all the holster wear on this piece of history.





This pistol has matching serial numbers on frame, slide, and barrel. They indicate that this pistol was produced around 1940-1942. It bears the eagle over swastika and Waffen eagle over WaA140 acceptance stamps, most commonly found on these.





Unlike my other 2 acquisitions, this one came sans holster. It has a single, unserialed magazine. The bore looks quite good with no rust or frosting, which I find amazing for a gun this old. Mechanically it is very good to excellent.

As with most occupation pistols, the finish is rough and poorly polished throughout.-function over form. The Bakelite grips have a couple of small cracks but feels solid in the hand.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: gearhounds,

A piece of history.

Fantastic Acquisition!!

My brother has a nice one that I posted a pic of some months back and like his, yours is a High Power, not Hi-Power.
As it was also explained to me.

From what I understand, the machining or finish was sometimes noticeable because they were in a hurry during production. The manufacturers were discouraged from taking too much time to slow production.

This is my brother's that I got to shoot.
Horrible sights for my eyes. Not so great trigger. And little hammer bite to finish it off.
Can't wait to shoot it again (w/ some powder puff loads.)

Actually, it's "High Power".

"Hi-Power" is a Browning Arms marketing name.

See here: https://sigforum.com/eve/forum...935/m/9380037715/p/1

I have one with an ‘A’ prefix on the low serial number. My understanding is it’s very late war or early post war production, after the Germans lost control of the plant.

High Power- edited, thanks all.

Despite the obvious holster wear, this thing is in really good shape. I notice that a High Power feels very good in the hand.

quote:

See here: https://sigforum.com/eve/forum...935/m/9380037715/p/1

This was informative and entertaining on so many level

Regarding dsiets post, Belgian “B” barrels made for Finnish M-39’s at FN had a distinctive plum color. That High Power slide could be from the same type of metal. Or patina.

I have one in layaway at work. 1943-4, Waffen Eagle stamped but with smooth wooden grips. All numbers match but with an unmarked magazine, no holster. An estate sale, I was offered it before it went to GB.

Once I get it I’ll research it better.

Are the slide serrations machined backwards?

I have an Israeli surplus HP. It is stamped with Star of David. Accurate as heck.

Brought mine home tonight. I’ll get some photos of it tomorrow.