Nazi FN Hi Power

[ducguy]

I recently acquired a "Nazi" marked FN Hi Power from a local gun dealer who purchased it in an estate sale. Markings on the gun have the eagle over swastika and the waa140 proofmark. Serial # is 180xxx. All digits are numbers. There are other markings on the butt of the gun near the magazine well. It shows 8 L A with the letter "I" under them. Can anyone tell me what year the gun was made and possibly what the markings mean on the butt? How about the value? Gun is in very good condition. I paid $299.00 for it.

 

[jonnyc]

Highway robbery!!!!!

 

[browningguy]

As far as I know there were no date codes for Brownings or FN at the time. As I'm sure you know that's a very cheap price.

 

[MrDig]

If you are willing and or able Pics would be nice.
Sounds like you did steal it at that price. Good score.

 

[meanmrmustard]

I recently acquired a "Nazi" marked FN Hi Power from a local gun dealer who purchased it in an estate sale. Markings on the gun have the eagle over swastika and the waa140 proofmark. Serial # is 180xxx. All digits are numbers. There are other markings on the butt of the gun near the magazine well. It shows 8 L A with the letter "I" under them. Can anyone tell me what year the gun was made and possibly what the markings mean on the butt? How about the value? Gun is in very good condition. I paid $299.00 for it.

Pictures please!

 

[481]

Yes, pix please. Sounds like you got a great deal!

 

[ducguy]

Pics are now available.

 

[KansasSasquatch]

You didn't happen to get that Hi-power from a shop in the Kansas City area did you? There was one listed at an estate auction here recently. I didn't go to the aucion since I figured here was no way a good Hi-Power would go for a price I could afford, special markings or not.

 

[PabloJ]

While not as good as $200 Luger that pawn shop bought from young Lass it's still excellent price for old FN P35.

 

[ducguy]

Gun was bought in upstate New York. Basically the dealer didn't know at the time what he had.

 

[KansasSasquatch]

Sounds like it. Sounds like a good price for any functional Hi-Power even if I weren't a historical piece, and even with a little rust.

 

[PabloJ]

That kind of reminds me of $900 9+lb 3" A.H.Fox with barrels flats stamped BARRELS NOT GUARANTEED-SEE TAG. Thank you very much, Sir. It's nice that you were able to take advantage of the situation. In age of internet ignorant people should be exploited w/o mercy.

 

[hentown]

Uncle of mine bought one back from WWII and gave it to my father. It sat on a shelf in a closet, and I don't remember it ever not being rusted. I gave it to a cousin of mine in the 70s. Cousin had a pistolsmith refurb the old Hi-Power, including a new barrel and most internals. I doubt that it had any collector's value anyhow, due to the terrible condition prior to the refurb.

 

[sub-moa]

Built March 1943...

Somewhere just north of a grand...

 

[ducguy]

Can I ask where you found the date of manufacture?

 

[sub-moa]

There are several FN reference books available...and some no longer available as in out-of-print, that'll give you that kind of information. A newer reference book I would suggest is Anthony Vanderlinden's "FN Browning Pistols", it lays out the various occupation 640(b) pistols...such as yours.

 

[KenW.]

Hey!I have one too. 1942 vintage and it shoots great! Doesn't like modern magazines though...

 

[johnnydollar]

That's a heck of a good price. Congrats!

 

[ducguy]

Thanks all for the info. I did order Vanderlinden's book, and "yes", I have the same problem with modern mags. Ordered three new mags thru Sarco. Gun would not chamber the last round left in the mag. The slide would lock back on the last round. Took them to a gunsmith who ground down the followers. Still did not help. I have one new mag that works, the other two still not working right.

 

[KenW.]

My Grandpa's story is that he got the Hi-Power from a German soldier who no longer had need of it during the Battle of the Bulge. The story ends there.