Help ID This Early Chrome Hi Power

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Help ID This Early Chrome Hi Power

Posted: 4/15/2020 4:31:25 PM EDT

I was just offered this in a trade and have little knowledge about older Hi Powers. Seller claims it has never been fired and is New. He stated he called Browning and they estimate the value at auction would be around $3500. Any truth to this or just smoke? Thanks!

Attached File

Posted: 4/15/2020 5:05:10 PM EDT

[#1]

I believe it was made before 1954 based on the serial number. The *M is the factory controller of proof and I believe it was Couchant Louis who was working for FN from 1923 to 1952.
The pistol was refinished later as I don't believe FN applied HC until much later. It may never been shot but IMHO the fact that it was refinished lowers the value.
I'd say it may be worth $1,200 but not more mostly because it was refinished outside of FN factory.

Posted: 4/15/2020 5:26:35 PM EDT

[#2]

How would "Browning" have an estimation?

Posted: 4/15/2020 5:30:28 PM EDT

[#3]

How is the trigger pull?

Posted: 4/15/2020 5:50:32 PM EDT

[#4]

I think that's nickel. Mid 50s. I can't imagine $3500. Hi Powers are awesome but even T series and Nazi marked guns don't go for that $$$

Posted: 4/15/2020 6:35:02 PM EDT

[#5]

nvm

Posted: 4/15/2020 7:09:01 PM EDT

[#6]

Looks like an early model with the internal extractor and the slide cut on the front of the slide. Browning never chromed any of their guns. There were some in nickel finished ones though starting in the '70's I believe. I doubt it's factory finished, more likely re-finished. But yeah probably worth $1K or so. Likely refinished to cover up blemishes. I wouldn't buy it for $3500. I bought a sweet MKIII in original satin nickel finish for $1500. It was high for the price, but they are hard to come by.

Posted: 4/15/2020 7:34:12 PM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:
...Seller claims it has never been fired and is New.

View Quote

Seller is a liar or an idiot. It is neither new or unfired. Let me rephrase that, seller is a bald faced liar.

He stated he called Browning and they estimate the value at auction would be around $3500.

View Quote

1. Browning doesn't give estimated value on guns. Especially guns that they aren't looking at. Especially guns that are being desribed over the phone.
2. It's refinished.
3. It's lost any collector value it once had.
4. Likely it's been fired many hundreds if not thousands of rounds because its a post war Hi Power.
5. FN manufactured that pistol, not Browning. FN didn't start using nickel, chrome, etc until late '60's.

I've collected Hi Powers since the early '80's. I wouldn't give $350 for that.

Posted: 4/15/2020 8:13:26 PM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:
...Browning never chromed any of their guns.

View Quote

Sure they did, I have a HP "Practical", Silver Chrome and Black.

Posted: 4/15/2020 10:43:17 PM EDT

[#9]

Thanks for all the replies guys. Extremely helpful. I thought it was fishy after researching up prices on Gunbroker. Helped me dodge a bullet.

Posted: 4/15/2020 11:13:15 PM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:

Sure they did, I have a HP "Practical", Silver Chrome and Black.

View Quote

THAT was my dream gun when I worked at BrowningUK

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Help ID This Early Chrome Hi Power

Handguns » Browning

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