New (to me) Browning Hi Power HP questions

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leadcounsel

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My new/used Browning FNH has a small hole drilled in the front of the trigger guard, and another small hold drilled through the front of the frame.

What are these used for or drilled for.

My thoughts were possibly a laser attachment or something...

Ideas?
 

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Laser mount perhaps, though all of the aftermarket ones I have seen are attached onto the trigger guard without the need for any holes to be drilled. Maybe a frame mounted base for a scope/red dot to be mounted on.
 
Those don't look like factory grips either, I may however be wrong. Think the guy that owned it before you made some mods. Some of those older HPs saw pretty heavy duty use. Any markings to tell you the gun's origin?
Consider this, if the finish on the gun is consistent, that is either a factory drilling, or the previous owner did it, and had the gun refinished. So maybe the guy that had it before you saw the need for a refinish and new grips and while he was at it, drilled that hole in order to mount a laser or light system. I say this because I am looking for an old HP with a beat up finish to do exactly that... ie, durafill and duracoat, new grips etc, no new holes though...

Really nice HP though. The only bad thing about the HiPower is that John Moses Browning did not live to see it's completion. Thanks for showing.
 
If there is a corresponding hole on the right side of the frame I'd lean towards them being for an optic mount. The under-table mount idea is a good possibility too along with variations for a car, bike etc.

Kind of like buying an old tractor with 60+ years worth of farmer re-engineering on it. Some you figure out and some just makes you go "hmm......".
 
I've also never seen an HP with these holes. Upon careful inspection, the holes are professionally drilled and there's no evidence of scratching, etc. The insides of the holes are parkerized just liked the entire handgun. There are corresponding holes on the front on both sides. Again, no evidence of anything scratching or wearing the frame.

Overall the gun is in very good condition so it's possible it had been re-parkerized.

The grips are aftermarket and carved out on the right side to accomodate an ambi safety lever. That work is very rough, leading me to believe that an amateur did the grip install whereas a professional did the holes (and re-parkerizing if it was done...).

Seems odd to go through the hassle and cost of this work when there are/were probably lots of other options for a handgun for mounts...

And what optics or laser required drilling into the frame??
 
Not sure what the rules are about posting a link to a live auction, but I have no connection to it and it is very relevant to this thread.
Take a look at the holes in the frame, they look identical to the OP's. Interesting thing is that this pistol has Israeli govt. property marks and I'd be willing to bet that it is out of the newest surplus batch that has arrived within the last 2 years. I have seen very few "Israeli" BHPs with military or police markings, and all I've seen have come from the recent crop.
Now it doesn't provide real info on what was attached, but it might narrow the view a bit.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=304509696
 
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