hi-power price check

[greyling22]

found a browning belgian hi-power in a pawn shop today. I think it's a mark 2 (forged receiver, mag has to be in gun to fire). blued with wood grips. standard crappy sights. seems to be in 98 or 99% finish. Don't really know how to check the guts for wear and tear. but looks to be a nice, if plain, gun. 1 mag, no box. the hammer is not the rounded one with the hole in it.

they want $500 for it. might come down a bit if I press them. how is that price? can I do better elsewhere?

 

[greyling22]

actually it may be a gen 1. safely is not ambi.

 

[dogtown tom]

MKII Hi Powers will have a "rib" that runs atop the slide. Some will have the small old style safety, some the ambi safety. The MKII will also have a "drain hole" on the front of the slide below the barrel. MKII are not noted for their exterior finish. Almost all MKII HP's were parkerized or matte finished. MKII were manufactured 1983-88. most MKII's had a spur hammer, rather than the round hammer.

For a price comparison go to Gunbroker and do a search of "Hi Power", then look at completed auctions where the gun sold. $500 is about average for a MKII.

If the HP does NOT have the rib and has the small safety it is not a MKI (no such thing as a MKI) but is often referred to by its serial # prefix.

No letters in the serial # = 1964 or earlier production.
"T" prefix (ex. T123456) = 1964-1969
"C" prefix= 1969-1975
"245" or "215"= 1976-1997



MKII's were manufactured from 1983-88.
MKIII's from early 1988 to present.

If the HP you saw is a "T" or "C", then $500 is a very good price for a 98% gun. "T's" and "C's" are noted for their excellent fit and finish.

 

[greyling22]

i'll look at it again tomorrow, but it had no rib, nor drain hole. and only the small safety. trigger wasn't all that great on it. spur hammer makes me think maybe it is a C