Posted: 1/14/2009 7:23:08 PM EDT
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I spotted a Browning Hi Power in a pawn shop. I don't know a hell of a lot about these except that I have wanted one for a while to go with my 1911s.
I looked it over quickly and did see that it's made by FN in Belgium. I also noticed that it has crappy sights- almost as bad as the ones on my 98k Mauser. In fact the sights seem similar- like an inverted V front and a V-notch rear. It seems to be in decent shape and comes with 1 mag. What's a reasonable price for one of these? What would be a steal that I couldn't walk away from? edited to add: Are all the BHP triggers heavy? I almost thought my finger would cramp pulling it, but I have really good triggers on my 1911s. Jim |
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Sounds like an older one because of the sights. If it's in good shape and you could get it for 3 bills, I'd be jumping all over it. It's probably worth quite a bit more than that.
The trigger is the achilles heal of the HiPower. But, it is overcomeable. You can first take the mag disconnect safety out. That helps alot. Then there's a few other things you can do, or send it off. But I love EVERYTHING about the HiPower except the trigger. I'm still debating if I want to just live with it or have it worked on, on my pistol. 
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I spotted a Browning Hi Power in a pawn shop. I don't know a hell of a lot about these except that I have wanted one for a while to go with my 1911s. I looked it over quickly and did see that it's made by FN in Belgium. I also noticed that it has crappy sights- almost as bad as the ones on my 98k Mauser. In fact the sights seem similar- like an inverted V front and a V-notch rear. It seems to be in decent shape and comes with 1 mag. What's a reasonable price for one of these? What would be a steal that I couldn't walk away from? edited to add: Are all the BHP triggers heavy? I almost thought my finger would cramp pulling it, but I have really good triggers on my 1911s. Jim It's difficult to say without actually seeing the gun. There are some Argentine Fabrique Militar Hi Powers that have "FN Browning" stamped on the left side of the slide. They are neither Browning or FN- they tried to use that as a marketing ploy until FN came after them. If the one you saw is a genuine FN Hi Power then it's value definitely depends on the condition. Look at GunBroker auctions to see what a comparable HP would go for. Rarely will you see a HP in 90% condition go for less than $500. Value increases with age. Prewar HP's $$$$$ Wartime Nazi HP's $$$$ Wartime Inglis HP's $$$ Postwar $$$$ "T" serial numbered $$$$ "C" serial numbered $$$$ MKII $$$ MKIII $$ Variations like sights, finish and caliber affect value as well. Some HP fans don't like the "Assembled in Portugal" rollmark (I don't either), most prefer "Made in Belgium" only, these bring a premium. |
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The V notch sites don't add up. Not aware of any FN's that had that set up. And yes, most HP's have bad triggers. Completely different trigger linkage than the 1911. Some improvement can be done, but you'll never get it to 1911 like performance. Unless you send it to Heirloom Precision. I also agree about the sights. I was thinking maybe it was an older one, but not really sure about that description. |
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I have seen HP's with a "V" rear sight.
The only thing remotely close the his description of an "inverted V" front sight is the type used on the HP's with a tangent rear sight. Some have called that a "barleycorn" front sight. Pre MkII HP's with fixed sights usually had a "half-moon" front sight. |
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I spotted a Browning Hi Power in a pawn shop. I don't know a hell of a lot about these except that I have wanted one for a while to go with my 1911s. I looked it over quickly and did see that it's made by FN in Belgium. I also noticed that it has crappy sights- almost as bad as the ones on my 98k Mauser. In fact the sights seem similar- like an inverted V front and a V-notch rear. It seems to be in decent shape and comes with 1 mag. What's a reasonable price for one of these? What would be a steal that I couldn't walk away from? edited to add: Are all the BHP triggers heavy? I almost thought my finger would cramp pulling it, but I have really good triggers on my 1911s. Jim It's difficult to say without actually seeing the gun. There are some Argentine Fabrique Militar Hi Powers that have "FN Browning" stamped on the left side of the slide. They are neither Browning or FN- they tried to use that as a marketing ploy until FN came after them. If the one you saw is a genuine FN Hi Power then it's value definitely depends on the condition. Look at GunBroker auctions to see what a comparable HP would go for. Rarely will you see a HP in 90% condition go for less than $500. Value increases with age. Prewar HP's $$$$$ Wartime Nazi HP's $$$$ Wartime Inglis HP's $$$ Postwar $$$$ "T" serial numbered $$$$ "C" serial numbered $$$$ MKII $$$ MKIII $$ Variations like sights, finish and caliber affect value as well. Some HP fans don't like the "Assembled in Portugal" rollmark (I don't either), these bring a premium. I don't remember exactly how it was worded, and I will go back and check, but I know that FN was stamped on it, and Belgium was stamped in some version- I don't remember exactly how it was spelled. I don't remember seeing Argentine or portugal on it, but I will check again. I also don't remember if it had an internal or external extractor. I will check that again. I will also write the serial number down, as well as any marks or stamps I can find. Jim |
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I checked it more closely today. here are what I found stamped on it:
Left side of the slide- Fabrique Nationale D-Armes De Guerre Herstal Belgique Browning Patent (then something like Dycase- I can't read my handwriting) Right side of slide- Policie Prov BS Airies -61 There is a crest on top of the slide- I assume the Argentine Crest The serial number is XX39- that's a 4 digit serial number. The barrel and magazine have the same serial number stamped on them. I am assuming this was issued to the Buenes Airies police. What does this do to the value? It's in about 90% condition- there is a little holster wear at the muzzle. The barrel seemed tight at the front and rear, but I was only using finger pressure. They want $400.00 out the door. Jim |
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It's genuine FN. BTW, hat word is "Depose". The gun would be worth $475 if in original condition, but most of these surplus Argentine contract Hi Powers have been buffed smooth and refinished, which significantly lowers their value. It has what I take to be replacement grip panels. The bluing looks thin, with a small area of wear at the front of the slide. The $400.00 OTD sounds like an average price for one in this condition then. I will have to think about it. It's not rare or anything special. He did say he couldn't take less for it. Jim |
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I spotted a Browning Hi Power in a pawn shop. I don't know a hell of a lot about these except that I have wanted one for a while to go with my 1911s. I looked it over quickly and did see that it's made by FN in Belgium. I also noticed that it has crappy sights- almost as bad as the ones on my 98k Mauser. In fact the sights seem similar- like an inverted V front and a V-notch rear. It seems to be in decent shape and comes with 1 mag. What's a reasonable price for one of these? What would be a steal that I couldn't walk away from? edited to add: Are all the BHP triggers heavy? I almost thought my finger would cramp pulling it, but I have really good triggers on my 1911s. Jim It's difficult to say without actually seeing the gun. There are some Argentine Fabrique Militar Hi Powers that have "FN Browning" stamped on the left side of the slide. They are neither Browning or FN- they tried to use that as a marketing ploy until FN came after them. If the one you saw is a genuine FN Hi Power then it's value definitely depends on the condition. Look at GunBroker auctions to see what a comparable HP would go for. Rarely will you see a HP in 90% condition go for less than $500. Value increases with age. Prewar HP's $$$$$ Wartime Nazi HP's $$$$ Wartime Inglis HP's $$$ Postwar $$$$ "T" serial numbered $$$$ "C" serial numbered $$$$ MKII $$$ MKIII $$ Variations like sights, finish and caliber affect value as well. Some HP fans don't like the "Assembled in Portugal" rollmark (I don't either), these bring a premium. My Hi-Power is an early 80's vintage Belgian made with the "assembled in portugal" markings. Curious, if you don't mind educating me, why they would bring a premium. Thanks. |
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'Some HP fans don't like the "Assembled in Portugal" rollmark (I don't either), these bring a premium. '
This statement is incorrect. 'Assembled In Portugal' is the least desirable mark and does not 'bring a premium'. Still a real HP and a good pistol, but everybody wants the 'Belgium' guns (Belgian). I'd say the gun in question is a buy at $400 if in good condition. |
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'Some HP fans don't like the "Assembled in Portugal" rollmark (I don't either), these bring a premium. ' This statement is incorrect. 'Assembled In Portugal' is the least desirable mark and does not 'bring a premium'. Still a real HP and a good pistol, but everybody wants the 'Belgium' guns (Belgian). I'd say the gun in question is a buy at $400 if in good condition. OOPS. Somehow I edited my own post. It should have read: Some HP fans don't like the "Assembled in Portugal" rollmark (I don't either), most prefer "Made in Belgium" only, these bring a premium.
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'Some HP fans don't like the "Assembled in Portugal" rollmark (I don't either), these bring a premium. ' This statement is incorrect. 'Assembled In Portugal' is the least desirable mark and does not 'bring a premium'. Still a real HP and a good pistol, but everybody wants the 'Belgium' guns (Belgian). I'd say the gun in question is a buy at $400 if in good condition. OOPS. Somehow I edited my own post. It should have read: Some HP fans don't like the "Assembled in Portugal" rollmark (I don't either), most prefer "Made in Belgium" only, these bring a premium.
Belgique is the same- right? It is stamped "Fabrique Nationale D-Armes De Guerre Herstal Belgique ". What is Herstal? The actual plant it was made in? Jim |
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'Some HP fans don't like the "Assembled in Portugal" rollmark (I don't either), these bring a premium. ' This statement is incorrect. 'Assembled In Portugal' is the least desirable mark and does not 'bring a premium'. Still a real HP and a good pistol, but everybody wants the 'Belgium' guns (Belgian). I'd say the gun in question is a buy at $400 if in good condition. OOPS. Somehow I edited my own post. It should have read: Some HP fans don't like the "Assembled in Portugal" rollmark (I don't either), most prefer "Made in Belgium" only, these bring a premium.
Belgique is the same- right? It is stamped "Fabrique Nationale D-Armes De Guerre Herstal Belgique ". What is Herstal? The actual plant it was made in? Jim Fabrique Nationale d'Armes de Guerre (French for National Factory of Weapons of War) Herstal is the city in Belgium. |