Worth of this Browning Hi-Power, part II.

Status
Not open for further replies.
C series with the beer can sights. Nice gun. It is worth more than the T series you posted before but still not crazy money.

Much of today’s BHP market is driven by perceived value versus actual value. People have been told that T series BHPs are the best of the best while some of that is true and some of it is legend people still pay more for that T in the serial number then it’s worth IMHO.

A lot of times the value is determined by your personal subjective criteria. Do you want a collectors item safe queen that you’re never going to shoot well than a T series that has never been shot is your gun. If you want a base gun to send to the best living BHP smith then a hard chromed or practical with a forged frame is the one you want because that’s the best one to send to Ted Yost to have him checker.

If you want to stock high round count shooter than a cast frame and MKIII is your gun. In the end it all depends on what you’re looking for and what you want out of a BHP. When you look on gun broker or other places what people pay is completely dependent on and subjectively based on what they want out of the gun. And sometimes it’s just people being stupid because well they’re lucky enough to have stupid money
 
Last edited:
The tangent sight Hi Powers bring the most money, especially the commercial models such as this one. https://www.gunbroker.com/item/911078638
No they don’t. Tangents are generally collector guns and the ones that bring the most money are ones that are old enough to have the stock cut in the frame to actually mount a BHP stock to the gun. The ones they get the most money are the ones that are old enough and are C&R so they are not considered short-barreled rifles when you mount the “original” stock.

Now plenty of sellers on gun broker will tell you what is it is not collectible what is and is not rare but they are using those terms and those words to drive up there price it is not necessarily based in reality
 
Last edited:
I'm partial to the military surplus BHPs myself...not much interest in the civilian/commercial versions. Very nice pistols, without a doubt, but they don't get me all hot and bothered.
 
I have this MkIII that’s a bit unusual as it has a forged frame

roZSg7c.jpg

I have no idea what it’s worth today, but I imagine it’s a bit more than the $550 I paid 3 years ago.

I think it would probably make a good base for customizing but it’s in perfect condition and I haven’t gotten tired of shooting so it will stay as is for a while
 
I had no interest in the BHP, but after fondling a couple, they are sort of intoxicating.
They are, as are most things new to you are and the honeymoon isn't yet over. 6 months or a year down the road and youre already cheating with the next thing to catch your eye. :)

I've had a number over the years and currently have one like your pic above, and one like Nature Boys. I like them basically stock, with a set of fixed sights and a set of full checkered grips. Like a good 1911, everyone needs at least one. :)
 
I had a wartime production FN nazi marked version, at the same time I also had a Remington Rand wartime 1911. I bought both from WWII vet brother officers before they retired, both were bring backs.

I found the HP fit my hand so much better, shot better, and I liked the 14 round capacity. Sold the Colt pretty quickly, kept the FN for a while, and finally it, too, went down the road.

Now, 40 years later, I wouldn't mind finding another HP at a reasonable price, but I guess those days are over.
 
I have this MkIII that’s a bit unusual as it has a forged frame

View attachment 1027099

I have no idea what it’s worth today, but I imagine it’s a bit more than the $550 I paid 3 years ago.

I think it would probably make a good base for customizing but it’s in perfect condition and I haven’t gotten tired of shooting so it will stay as is for a while

They are not rare but only made for about 4-5 years between 1989-1994. They are excellent base guns. The gun above was built on a 1990 forged frame MKIII. They ae IMHO the best base gun for a BHP build. It is worth between $1000 and $1200 depending on your local market.
 
Legal shoulder stocked all Canadian "Chinese contract" Inglis never shipped to China. This gun is a great shooter and capable of 4-6" groups on a good day at 100 yards ! :)
011-4_zpsd998ceec.jpg
010-4_zps1c2fdce2.jpg


I got a couple others but the Practical Chrome frame (MK3) is my favorite stock range gun . The Mark 2 NATO FN is now modified a little with stippling and Novak sight package and C&S fire control and is my favorite "combat " BHP , the C series with the adjustable "sport" sights was given to my son to go along with his early FEG he learned to love the BHP format on.

012-1_zps8a261fed.jpg
 
Last edited:
BHP + Hogue rubber grips = perfection.

I've been addicted since 1992.
I tend to agree. I became a Hipower addict in the late 80s, and the rubber Hogues have been on mine since the late 90s.
Those Spegels though.... I may have to give them a run.

I don't even think of what my mkIII is worth, as the finish is hammered. I mean like gouges in the slide, some rust on the left side where it used to catch my sweat... it's still pretty but it's definitely gone more to the "rat rod" side of things.
 
Nothing wrong with honest wear and tear on a gun. It shows the gun is appreciated and used.
 
I tend to agree. I became a Hipower addict in the late 80s, and the rubber Hogues have been on mine since the late 90s.
Those Spegels though.... I may have to give them a run.

I don't even think of what my mkIII is worth, as the finish is hammered. I mean like gouges in the slide, some rust on the left side where it used to catch my sweat... it's still pretty but it's definitely gone more to the "rat rod" side of things.

All of mine get shot. They all show different amounts of wear. The Alloy versions I carry get show more wear even though they are not shot as much.
 
I could have had a LNIB Nighthawk BHP Custom a few years back for $1,700. Although I hated the extended beavertails that NH was putting on these, this is another gun buying opportunity that was a snooze & lose.
 
Last edited:
I had no interest in the BHP, but after fondling a couple, they are sort of intoxicating.
Did you make a cash or trade offer?
Put it down, back away slowly and don’t ever touch one again or you will run the risk of catching the disease
Happened to me in the early 90s, when you could walk into a gun shop and pick up a new MKIII for under $400... and the old Hi-Powers, sheesh, used ones were even cheaper, having not attained cult status yet. Sadly, I grew out of that phase and divested myself when I went all in on 1911s to the exclusion of most everything else. But every time WVsig shows one of his masterpieces, I kinda start feeling that lust again.
Let me correct that for you. BHP + Spegel Grips = Perfection
I'm gonna have to agree with you there. Another great combination, like peanut butter and jelly, but for grown-ups...
 
My first one was less than 100 bucks from a hardware store on Avenue F in Del Rio, TX while finishing up USAF Pilot Training...it was a good one, with a lousy trigger but I had a death grip back then and could make it perk ok on jack rabbits and dump trash out on the base. That was back in '69 and I regretted not sneaking it into my hold baggage enroute to Bien Hoa, lll Corps, RVN.

After checking out in the Bird Dog, in country, my predecessor willed me his HP when he DEROS'd, Jan of '70. His use of it garnered him an Air Force Cross following a shoot down...

I loved the gun & spent the better part of '70 toting one in a 'tanker' cross chest rig while flying, jeeping, APCing, showering and running like hell for the commo bunker....I'd give a month of my tomorrows to have it back....spent many a late afternoon plinking the beer can's tied into our concertina for night infiltration warning.

Nowadays, it's a Practical 9 and a Standard .40 that keep me busy, both more accurate with Camp's old loads than these seven decade old hands and eyes can do... two inches at 25 is still just possible but only from a rest...& is it just me, or have those recoil/main springs gotten tougher to rack?

The old HP is still a fine weapon...steel and wood...elegant, some would opine...with good capacity and now with better sights...what's not to love. Stephen Camp said it all...and he's worth your while to re-read now that he's gone & before some moron torpedoes his site. Best regards, Rod

IMG-E6053.jpg
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top