FN 1940 / 1945 hi power

albrock · May 1, 2012, 10:52 AM

I have obtainted a "FN hi power manufactured in Belgium after the invasion. It has german proof markings etc a serial # 959?? Some of the markings maybe Belgium I do not know.

Where is the caliber stamped?????

I have read that only 900 guns were proofed before the proofers were sent to the Russian Front??

Excellant condition.

al brock

James K · May 1, 2012, 11:25 PM

The pistols made before the occupation and in the FN warehouse had the normal Belgian proof marks*. Those made under the occupation had the German WaffenAmt (WaA) acceptance stamp (number 613, 103, or 140) which served as both the proof mark and the accpetance/property mark. The full FN slide legend was continued throughout the war.

The caliber on pre-war guns would have been stamped on the barrel and visible through the ejection port. The caliber was not stamped on the guns made for the Germans; the Germans knew very well what caliber they were and that they used the same ammunition as the Luger and the P.38.

I have not heard the Russian front story, and it is almost certainly one of those stories told to hype the value of a gun; many thousands of guns were made under each of the WaA officers. Number 959xx would have been made in late 1941 and probably has the WaA 140 marking; that officer was at FN for the rest of the war, right up to the Allied liberation in 1944.

Jim

*ELG in an oval, the "tower", the star over an inspector's initial, etc.

JK

geetarman · May 2, 2012, 12:10 PM

^^^^^^^^^^^^ Seriously, some of you folks are a real wealth of knowledge. The details you guys seem to have just flows like water. I am impressed.

Geetarman

mete · May 2, 2012, 06:14 PM

All the blue prints for the HP were taken out of the country to Canada where the pistol was made with an aluminum frame.

RJay · May 2, 2012, 07:27 PM

mete, are you sure about the Inglis aluminum frames? I wasn't aware that any of the Canadian HP guns were light weight. Of course there's a lot I don't know

FN did make a Mark I light weight sometime in the 1950;s but it was drooped after a short while from their catalog.

Walt Sherrill · May 2, 2012, 07:39 PM

The only references to Inglis-made Hi-Powers I can find speak of steel guns. The Inglis I owned was steel. Never heard of or read about an aluminum-framed Hi-Power by Inglis or FN.

(On the other hand, there were plenty of aluminum P-01s made, as a slightly newer version of the Walther P-38, post WWII...)

Lead shooter · May 3, 2012, 04:50 AM

All Inglis made guns were steel. Production ended in 1944 and Canada was still using them when I left the army in 1990.
Inglis was a washing machine/appliance manufacturer. The guns were made In Toronto on the westside . There used to be a large sign off the Gardiner near the plant. Don't know if it's there anymore. (Haven't been to Toronto in 10 years)
Always wanted one for my collection, but prices have risen so fast it was cheaper to get a real Browning.

sgms · May 3, 2012, 11:04 AM

The only aluminum frame high powers I am aware of were made during the 1950s and stopped due to lack of sales. The only other frame metal changes I have seen have been forged and cast steel.

May 1, 2012, 10:52 AM	#1
albrock Junior Member Join Date: May 1, 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 1	FN 1940 / 1945 hi power I have obtainted a "FN hi power manufactured in Belgium after the invasion. It has german proof markings etc a serial # 959?? Some of the markings maybe Belgium I do not know. Where is the caliber stamped????? I have read that only 900 guns were proofed before the proofers were sent to the Russian Front?? Excellant condition. al brock

May 2, 2012, 06:14 PM	#4
mete Senior Member Join Date: June 14, 2004 Location: NY State Posts: 6,575	All the blue prints for the HP were taken out of the country to Canada where the pistol was made with an aluminum frame. __________________ And Watson , bring your revolver !

May 2, 2012, 07:27 PM	#5
RJay Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2005 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,936	mete, are you sure about the Inglis aluminum frames? I wasn't aware that any of the Canadian HP guns were light weight. Of course there's a lot I don't know FN did make a Mark I light weight sometime in the 1950;s but it was drooped after a short while from their catalog. __________________ Ron James

May 1, 2012, 11:25 PM	#2
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	The pistols made before the occupation and in the FN warehouse had the normal Belgian proof marks. Those made under the occupation had the German WaffenAmt (WaA) acceptance stamp (number 613, 103, or 140) which served as both the proof mark and the accpetance/property mark. The full FN slide legend was continued throughout the war. The caliber on pre-war guns would have been stamped on the barrel and visible through the ejection port. The caliber was not stamped on the guns made for the Germans; the Germans knew very well what caliber they were and that they used the same ammunition as the Luger and the P.38. I have not heard the Russian front story, and it is almost certainly one of those stories told to hype the value of a gun; many thousands of guns were made under each of the WaA officers. Number 959xx would have been made in late 1941 and probably has the WaA 140 marking; that officer was at FN for the rest of the war, right up to the Allied liberation in 1944. Jim ELG in an oval, the "tower", the star over an inspector's initial, etc. JK

May 2, 2012, 12:10 PM	#3
geetarman Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,157	^^^^^^^^^^^^ Seriously, some of you folks are a real wealth of knowledge. The details you guys seem to have just flows like water. I am impressed. Geetarman

May 2, 2012, 07:39 PM	#6
Walt Sherrill Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 1999 Location: Winston-Salem, NC USA Posts: 6,348	The only references to Inglis-made Hi-Powers I can find speak of steel guns. The Inglis I owned was steel. Never heard of or read about an aluminum-framed Hi-Power by Inglis or FN. (On the other hand, there were plenty of aluminum P-01s made, as a slightly newer version of the Walther P-38, post WWII...)

May 3, 2012, 04:50 AM	#7
Lead shooter Member Join Date: March 30, 2006 Location: East Atlanta Posts: 75	All Inglis made guns were steel. Production ended in 1944 and Canada was still using them when I left the army in 1990. Inglis was a washing machine/appliance manufacturer. The guns were made In Toronto on the westside . There used to be a large sign off the Gardiner near the plant. Don't know if it's there anymore. (Haven't been to Toronto in 10 years) Always wanted one for my collection, but prices have risen so fast it was cheaper to get a real Browning.

May 3, 2012, 11:04 AM	#8
sgms Senior Member Join Date: May 30, 2010 Location: Arizona or Ohio depending Posts: 1,021	The only aluminum frame high powers I am aware of were made during the 1950s and stopped due to lack of sales. The only other frame metal changes I have seen have been forged and cast steel.