NAZI Hi-Power

[KenW.]

I'm am entirely new to the HP scene. Being a proud 1911 owner, carrier, and shooter; I was extremely suprised when I was willed my Grandfather's war trophy. He took it from a German officer who no longer needed it.

A FN HP with matching numbers on slide, barrel, and frame. Serial # 467XX. There is one additional digit after that ser #. It is unfamiliar to me. It resembles an @ sign. There appears to be matching proof marks on the left side )near the NAZI eagle perched on a swastika inside a wreath) of WBA140. I'll need a magnifying glass to tell more for certain.

Is there anyplace to date it? Browning's site doesn't go that far back. If anyone could point me the right direction I'd appreciate it.

 

[Old Fuff]

In 1940, the Germans invaded Belgium and quickly took over the Fabrique Nationale (FN) factory in Liege, in a mostly intact condition. They immediately put it to their own use. At the time the P-35 Hi Power pistol's serial numbers were in the 5000 range and production continued to serial number 100,000. At that point (early 1942) they went back to #1 with a lower case “a” suffix. When they reached 100,000 a they changed to #1 b, and then in 1943 at 100,000 b the went on to # 1 c. Your pistol would date from 1942, and was one of 80, 600 P-35 pistols that were made that year.

The WaA140 stamp indicates the pistol was made at the FN factory.

The plant superintendent was named Schneider.

You can find out anything on The High Road…

 

[brentn]

^yea holy ****. Nice bit of info there old fluff, just out of curiousity is his HP considered rare or common?

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I would call it rare, especially in good condition. Before Germany started suffering disastrous defeats and getting bombed, when the plant workers didn't sabotage them, as well as often being used hard in combat, Nazi Hi-Powers were equal in quality to pre-war production. They are worth more to a collector, not as an endorsement of Nazi-ism (we hope!), but as historical interest.

 

[KenW.]

I wish this pistol were in better condition, I'd say it's about 70% at best. We need to realize that this weapon was used through a World War for crying out loud. It was never pampered. My Grandad said once that there was plenty of 9mm ammo laying about, so he felt it was his duty to shoot all of it.

No pitting, but lots of scrapes and light scratches. I've not yet fired it, but the barrel rifling "looks" well worn visually.

 

[Old Fuff]

In all, the Germans produced approximately 319,000 P-35 Hi-Power pistols between 1940 and 1944. How many survived is unknown, but I wouldn't say examples are rare, but perhaps scarce. The best were produced early in the war using pre-war parts and finishing standards. The worst were made in 1944 while they were using slave labor and the factory was being bombed. It should be understood that the FN works produced everything from pistols to cannons.

It is interesting to note that while the Germans adopted and used the P-35 Hi Power pistol (and regarded it highly), the same handgun was adopted by the British and manufacured in Canada. As such it was the only pistol officially adoped and used by both sides.

The reason that Ken wasn't able to find all of this out on Browning's website is because the World War Two FN records were captured by the U.S. Army, and removed to this country to be examined. Uncle Sam never returned them.

Only the Old Fuff knows....

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Originally posted by Old Fuff:
The reason that Ken wasn't able to find all of this out on Browning's website is because the World War Two FN records were captured by the U.S. Army, and removed to this country to be examined. Uncle Sam never returned them.

I would have guessed that FN would rather this period in their history be forgotten.

 

[jonnyc]

Definitely not rare, especially in 70% condition. I wouldn't even call them scarce. I see more beat "Nazi" HPs than I see FEGs or early FMs. I see prices ranging from about $850 to $1200.