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A friend has this hi power believes from
WWII anyone know about these?
He is wanting $900 for it.
 
I could date it for you with the serial #

Hi-Power Pistol



The 9mm Hi-Power pistol was introduced to the U.S. market in 1954. Serial numbers from 1954 through 1957 are estimates only. From 1958 on, better records were kept and the serial numbers are more accurate. The 40 S&W caliber was introduced in 1994. This pistol is still in production today.

To find your serial number, you will need to refer to your owner's manual. We have most owner's manuals online.

Date Historic Information Serial Number Info
1954-57 The Hi-Power 9mm pistol was introduced in 1954. 70000-80,000
Accurate production figures are unavailable.
1958 In 1958 Browning kept better records of the Hi-Power pistol, so the serial number ranges are more accurate 80001-85276
1959 85268-89687
1960 89688-93027
1961 93028-109145
1962 109146-113548
1963 113549-115822
1964 In 1964 the product code for the Hi-Power was the letter "T" 115823-T136-568
1965 T136569-T146372
1966 T146373-T173285
1967 T173286-T213999
1968 T214000-T258000
1969-75 In 1969 Browning started using two digits for the date of manufacture which was followed by a four digit code that identified the type of Auto-5:
C=Hi-Power
This was then followed by the serial number beginning with 1000.
Example: 69C1000 = A 1969 Hi-Power pistol with a serial number of 1000. T258001-261000
C=Hi-Power
1976-1997 In 1975 Browning standardized its serial number identification which it followed until 1998.
1. Hi-Power Type 2W5=40 S&W
245=9mm
2. Date of Manufacture
is a two digit code Z=1
Y=2
X=3
W=4
V=5
T=6
R=7
P=8
N=9
M=0
3. Serial Number
beginning with 01001
at the start of each year.

Serial
Number Example:
245RT01001

This would be a 9mm Hi-Power pistol, manufactured in 1976 with the serial number 01001.

1998 In 1998 Browning redid the standardization of its serial number identifications to work with its new data base program, Oracle.
1. Hi-Power Type 510=Hi-Power
2. Date of Manufacture
is a two digit code Z=1
Y=2
X=3
W=4
V=5
T=6
R=7
P=8
N=9
M=0
3. Serial Number
beginning with 01001
at the start of each year.

Serial
Number Example:
510NN01001

This would be a 9mm Hi-Power pistol, manufactured in 1999 with the serial number 01001.
 
Ok, as I am NOT a BHP expert take all of this with a grain or two...

From what I can see from your pics; the s/n puts it before Nazi occupation & manufacture (mid 1940, iirc), but not much. Best guess would be 1938ish.
Also don't see any Waffenampts.
The hammer is probably a replacement.
 
I would concur in regards the the dating, the hammer could be original as it appears from the pic to be the correct style for the period. the Waffenampts are the cost common indicator for a german occupation hi power. Can you post a Pic of the other side of the gun?
 
Ahhh, there's the little bugger...
Immediately to the left of the slide serrations looks to be the acceptance stamp (Waffenampt). It should be a tiny eagle with a swastika in it's talons and the code WaA06 or something like it.
There SHOULD be a matching mark much smaller on the frame, usually near the trigger guard.
 
Ahhh, there's the little bugger...
Immediately to the left of the slide serrations looks to be the acceptance stamp (Waffenampt). It should be a tiny eagle with a swastika in it's talons and the code WaA06 or something like it.
There SHOULD be a matching mark much smaller on the frame, usually near the trigger guard.
That is it. Thanks for the info. A year ball park value guess? Or know anyone who has intrest in college ting these things.?
 
Well, that's the $64 question, isn't it? :cool:

Again, I'm not a Hi-Power expert by any stretch of the imagination. However, I have done some collecting, so I will offer some general collectors observations...

That pistol has some good things going for it: it's a relatively early gun, made before the Germans occupied the FN factory (and quality went in the toilet), yet it does have waffenampts. (Possibly an officer's private, commercial, purchase that he had 'arsenalized'?)
The frame, slide and barrel serial numbers match. (As I'm not a BHP expert, I don't know what else is serialized, but you'd have to disassemble it to find that out.) There are no import marks, so it came to the US pre 1968, possibly a wartime bring-back. And it seems to have honest wear appropriate for a 75 year old combat vereran.
The holster, while not correct for the gun, may have some value to a Luger collector, assuming it's not a reproduction.

Now for the warts: I believe the hammer, grips and magazine are not the originals. While congruent with the proper type, they are in much better condition than the rest of the gun. Which brings us to the crux of the biscuit; the condition. It hasn't been reblued, chromed or pakerized (as so many were in the 1950's and '60's,) so that's good, but unfortunately the bluing is almost gone and the overall condition is only fair.

Assuming (yup, there it is) everything works as it should, and it shoots accurately I would put it in the "cool old shooter" catagory and value it closer to $600.

But, again, I'm not a BHP guy, so my valuation could be way, way off.
Does your friend have any history on the gun?
 

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