Looking at a Hi Power, but need help identifying it

[Crit]

Guys,

I've come across a slick Hi Power on gunbroker, but it's got a brushed finish that has removed the markings. I love the look of the pistol, but it suddenly struck me that it may be a clone and I'd like to know more about it.

Can anyone identify what this guy is? I know that the internal extractor and relief at the front of the slide tell me it's either an early FN, Inglis, or a copy of an early pistol, but I can't tell anything beyond that.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=261853248

 

[robinkevin]

I am no expert yet on Hi Power (though I have recently became fond of them) I have notice that the newer Hi Powers and their clones have an external extractor where as the older Browning Hi Powers did not such as the one you are looking at. Hopefully someone can confirm that there was no clones made of this model.

 

[rellascout]

Pre-T Hi power. You can tell by the half moon on the right hand of the slide, ring hammer and internal extractor which was fragile and prone to breakage. Later models including the T series had external extractors.

The rear sight and of course the grips are not orginal. The other parts look correct. The mag disconnect looks to have been removed or at least someone did not put the trigger pin back in. LOL

In the 2nd picture it looks like there is a serial number on the frame which is different than the one of the slide. Is that the case?

Sort of a shame someone refinished it the way they did. It looks ok but it really devalues the gun. IMHO

 

[PabloJ]

There is some unusual stuff out there. I almost bought American Hi-Power from some short lived company out of Charlottesville Va. I'm pretty sure it was marked Made in USA.
There are also European FNs with alloy frames and steel slides.

 

[scythefwd]

Pre 1967. Thats when fn went to the external extractor. pics of the barrel lug and breach face can help narrow that down more.

 

[Onmilo]

OP did you end up buying this thing?

 

[dogtown tom]

Someone just paid $500 for a $259 Hi Power.