Interesting Find: WWII Browning HP by Inglis

[carnaby]

I've come across a Canadian Browning HP form WWII era made by the Inglis washing machine company. 10 round magazine, in perfect condition, no rust, only been fired a handfull of times. Apparently it has adjustable sights that read up to 500 yards (yeah right).

It was made in Canada by the Inglis washing machine company, when it was assigned into wartime production under the direction of Browning. It has some Inglis marking to that effect. It also apparently has an unusual 'domed' firing pin (I think - something in the firing mechanism is domed...).

The serial number is D1. That's it. Nobody I know has any idea what that means, but some are certain that it's the only one ever made, and likely some sort of prototype.

Anyway, I've not seen this gun yet, but my very good friend in Canuckland is going to send some pics. It belongs currently to an ex-RCMP officer and is properly registered in Canada and all that.

Anyone know anything about this pistol? I'll post the pictures as soon as I get 'em.

 

[EddieCoyle]

I believe that the Inglis HP's with 500yd sights had a detachable shoulder stock. Check to see if it comes with it, or has a place to attach it.

I don't think what you're looking at is unique. I saw one of these once. I'm not sure what the serial number looked like because by the time I got done counting the 0's on the price tag, I was tired of reading.

 

[poppy]

Nothing unusual about Inglis HP's, but the one you describe is probably pretty rare. There is all kinds of info available on the Inglis. I'm sure some HP folks will weigh in.

 

[Wags]

Try asking the folks at: http://handgunsandammo.proboards36.com/index.cgi

There are quite a few Inglis Hi-Power owners who could maybe help you out. My only input is that your pistol was issued with a 13rd magazine. Your 10rd is not original issue.

 

[John Holbrook]

Here is a late production HP made by the John Inglis & Co., which by the way made marine boilers!!! Many of the original 13 round mags were modified to load 10 rounds, which makes them a lot safer, right????

 

[John Holbrook]

Here is an original Inglis magazine that was modified to 10 round, then un-modified to the original 13 round capacity..

 

[carnaby]

After a quick double check, it turns out the thing does have a 13 round mag. No obvious place to attach a shoulder stock though.

 

[NEtracker]

Sounds like a great find!
The Hi-Powers I've seen around here are either priced at $799, $1000 and up, or the "deals" at $599 are rusty & pitted.
(I miss my HP; sold it 2 yrs back...)

 

[Dr.Rob]

where is the extractor on that Inglis?

color me confused... that's NOT a total clone?

 

[John Holbrook]

The early HPs all had an internal extractor, ala 1911. Remember, John Browning designed the HP. If you will look at the upper rear of the barrel, you can just see the cutout for the extractor. I believe that it was about 1962 that FN changed the extractor to external, and removed the "thumb print" cutout in the slide.

Here are both sides of the Inglis..

 

[John Holbrook]

Here is a photo of A WW II Nazi proofed HP.

 

[Dienekes]

Best reference on these is "The Inglis Diamond" by Clive Law.

 

[Car Knocker]

Remember, John Browning designed the HP.

Do you happen to have any information on how much of the BHP is attributable to JMB and how much to Saive?

 

[SDC]

From the description, it SOUNDS like an Inglis No 1 prototype, but all the factory No 1s I've seen have had a "CH" in the serial number; Inglis made everything from Hi-Powers and Brens up through aircraft cannon during WW2. The No 1 should have the adjustable long-range sight and a slot for a buttstock on the grip, while the later No 2s should have a fixed rear sight milled into a step on the slide; each of these also had Mk I and Mk I* variations, indicating minor changes to the pistol to speed up production.

 

[dsk]

A Ww2 Inglis has always been high on my list of "gotta haves", if only I can find one in nice condition. The closest one I found had a defective safety so it wasn't safe to shoot. I suspect somebody did some parts swapping on it in order to make another Inglis a bit more "minty".

 

[poppy]

Go to this site if you want to see a nice example of the Inglis DP series http://www.joesalter.com/ Click on military handguns and scroll down to the end of the file.

 

[carnaby]

Here's some pics. This thing is very interesting.

 

[Onmilo]

What you have there is a "Drill Instruction" MK l Inglis.
The Canadians produce instructional versions of all weapons they offer and include them in the contract purchase package.
These DI weapons are used for training armorers and depot level repairmen in the workings of the weapon.
Most DI examples are cutaways but a small number of complete examples were included in the orders for the purpose of hands on repair and inspection training.
The DI weapons were not serial numbered because they were not test fired or proofed and not considered to be actual operational firearms

I have not seen a D.I. Inglis in quite so nice and apparently original condition before.
Don't plan on actually shooting that pistol.
They were not factory proofed and were never intended to be firing specimens.
You have a fairly uncommon and quite collectable example of an interesting firearm there.
Kudos to you and thank you for sharing your prize.

 

[Gordon]

That gun is worth $2000-2500.You can sell it on an auction now that Onmillo has given you the provenince

 

[Onmilo]

Gordon, by goodness, you tickled me enough to go look this thing up.
My provinance is bad.
I am thinking of DP prefix pistols and this pistol is stamped Dl
The pistol is a one off, It is in the possession of a retired RCMP Officer, it is noted and photographed in a leading publication and I bet the guy wants a bit more than two grand US for the pistol.

 

[carnaby]

Yeah, it's not mine. My very good buddy, best man at my wedding, works with the RCMP guy that owns it. Kinda neat