Browning Hi Power Centennial

July 08, 2021, 10:43 AM

I have wanted a Hi Power in nickel finish for quite some time, and recently started looking aggressively. I found one-made in Belgium, nickel, gold trigger-beautiful gun-and it is on its way to my FFL.

In searching, I became aware of the Centennial edition, which is basically the same gun, in a presentation box, with an engraving that reads "Browning Centennial, 1878-1978". I found and bought a Shooting Times magazine on eBay:

I had talked to one of my nephews about this, and unbeknownst to me, he talked to my wife. Yesterday was my birthday, and last night at dinner with friends, I opened this:

It only took her 40 years, but she finally got me a birthday gift that I really wanted, and surprised me!

July 08, 2021, 11:16 AM

p08

Beautiful, now you need the Renaissance model to go with it. Oh and a great wife you have!

July 08, 2021, 11:31 AM

honestlou

quote:
Originally posted by p08:
Beautiful, now you need the Renaissance model to go with it. Oh and grea wife!

Thanks! Now you have me looking at Renaissance Brownings. This was my 60th birthday, so I suppose a big one. I don't think I'll live long enough for my wife to buy me a Renaissance. Seriously, I was not aware of them, but I'm seeing some beautiful guns. I'll have to read a little to find out more about them.

July 08, 2021, 02:04 PM

lyman

Lovely Pistol!!!

and Happy Birthday!

July 08, 2021, 02:58 PM

Tower_Rat

Very nice Hi Power. I’d have to lay it and the Shooting Times magazine on my coffee table for at least a week or two.

Congratulations and happy birthday!

July 08, 2021, 03:27 PM

HK Ag

Happy Birthday Honestlou, congratulations on a fantastic birthday present!

Looks like it is in incredible shape.

Cant wait to see its twin when it arrives too.

HK Ag

July 08, 2021, 04:19 PM

honestlou

I thought this pistol was nickel, but I was showing it to someone and it looked brighter, ie. chromey. I just called Browning and a very helpful young man looked at a catalogue from 1978, which said "chromed" finish. And I just looked through the magazine article, which I hadn't actually read yet, and it also says the Centennials were chromed.

I'm thinking the non-Centennial I bought for myself is nickel, but I'll have to wait to compare the two.

July 08, 2021, 06:07 PM

Il Cattivo

Man, I could wait 40 years for that. Hell, I could argue that she doesn't owe you any more birthday gifts from here on out!

July 09, 2021, 12:11 AM

pulicords

Very nice find! Congrats!

July 09, 2021, 09:30 AM

18Z50

You’ve married well.

July 09, 2021, 09:50 AM

HRK

Happy Birthday, and congrats on having a wife that thinks that well of you. Gorgeous gun as well.

July 09, 2021, 11:01 AM

hberttmank

That is awesome, Happy Birthday!

"But, as luck would have it, he stood up. He caught that chunk of lead." Gunnery Sergeant Carlos Hathcock
"If there's one thing this last week has taught me, it's better to have a gun and not need it than to need a gun and not have it." Clarence Worley

July 09, 2021, 12:22 PM

colt_saa

And congratulations on the new addition to the Family

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