Any Browning 9mm highpower experts here????

[dtucker]

I did a little trading on an old Browning Belgium Highpower 9mm not long ago and decided i would try and find some info of the history of it and what value it may have. I started to do a little research but i can not really find any concrete info of the date or anything. I am trying to get hold of through a friend a Browning collector and hope to hear some info about it as it would be what you call hearing it from the horses mouth? It is all original with the original very well worn box and 2 magazines that have serial numbers that match numbers on the grip frame housing. If their is someone here that would be willing to talk with me about it that would be super or relay some contact info to someone else. I can take all the detailed pictures you would like. I am not sure if i am going to keep it or sell it as i am not a collector of anything, but if i would sell it and it had some history to it i would prefer it go to someone who has an interest in these.

I will try and get some pictures up today or tomorrow

Thanks,
Dan

 

[jimcasey01]

http://www.browning.com/customerservice/dategun/detail.asp?id=35
This link will get you a date for those imported into the USA. They are fantastic firearms.

 

[dtucker]

I looked their and could find nothing. The number on the box goes serial 103 0098 These numbers do not run together. The number 103 is marked on the frame and slide on 1 side and the numbers 0098 are on the bottom face of grip frame with 4 letters above it. The bottom of the magazines have the exact same thing on them as the grip frame. Their are markings on the frame, slide and barrel that are identical also. I took some pictures of it and will try and get them loaded up and put on here tonight.

 

[jimcasey01]

You might contact Browning directly. Most companys are pretty helpful in trying to date their products.

 

[jonbearman]

What are the 4 letters you speak of and does it have any Nazi wafffenamts on it.

 

[bheadboy]

mine had a 5 digit number starting with 98*** i don't know about the gap in your numbers -I also have letters on the bottom of the grip to the rear of the mag well. there are no Nazi stuff on it.

the letters are hard to tell a "p" "h" and two others that are worn.
from all indications mine is Belguim production but i have not been able to find out if befor the war and German production or after the war and before us markets.


Bob

 

[fredhorace77]

supposedly this book will aid in dating them. its very expensive imo. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0889350892/ref=mp_s_a_1_3/179-7539825-4963931?qid=1426631668&sr=1-3&pi=AC_SY200_QL40

 

[dtucker]

What are the 4 letters you speak of and does it have any Nazi wafffenamts on it.

I took some pictures but they turned out pathetic and have to try and get some better one,s. It does not have any Nazi markings on it and the letters stamped above the numbers 0098 on the bottom front grip frame are L.G.K.T....The bottom of the 2 magazines have the numbers and letters stamped the same way.

On the left side of frame and slide above each other is a stick figure that looks like it has legs with a line under it and below it is P.V and under it is a star like * that has a S below the star. The same marking is on the barrel in the chamber port with what looks like a ballon with a crown on top and 3 lettters inside.

 

[dtucker]

Here are the only 4 pictures that came out clear from about a dozen and a half. My camera skills just plain suck.

 

[jimcasey01]

Can you get a picture of the barrel/chamber area with the serial number just above "Cal 9m/m p"

 

[fredhorace77]

i saw on a website somewhere that there also may be some i.d. marks under the grip panels.

 

[jimcasey01]

And an acceptance stamp under the slide.

 

[dtucker]

I have never taken anything apart on it. I will take some more pictures tomorrow and see if i can figure out how to take close up pictures that are not blurry.

 

[JRS]

Dan: The serial number is located on the front of the frame, directly under the trigger guard.

 

[dtucker]

Ok, i am learning some things about my camera now and finally was able to get some clear pictures after many tries on the settings.

So.....the story i got when i did some trading to this was the fellas grandfather was in WW11 and brought this home. It was supposed to be a Belgiuns officers weapon before Hitler took over the country and took their weapons. We all know how stories are, it is just a story. The little i know and have found out i am not sure how much of it is true.

The pictures that are shown are all the markings on this pistol. The chamber side has 103 on the slide and frame above each other. Their are markings on the barrel as seen and the same markings their are on the other side of the pistol on the frame and slide above each other. The round marking with the crest on the barrel is not on the other side with the markings. The letters and numbers on the bottom of the grip frame are identical on the bottom of the 2 magazines. This pistol in appearance is comepletely original with nothing done to it. The numbers on the outside of box match the pistol and on the inside of the box in the upper left hand corner of the lid are some other numbers. I am baffled as to what is the serial number and what year it was made, or anything else about it. It does have some stamping on the flat part bottom of the grip frame as seen in the picture by the magazine in the pistol that with even a magnifying glass i can not really make anything out for sure. Is it an import marking? I would love to find someone that i could show this to that could give me some correct info on it and what value it may have.

 

[dtucker]

BTW: As seen in the first pictures their is 1 more marking on the top part of the trigger guard next to the frame that has a 3 inside an open box with a symbol below it.

 

[JRS]

The 103 is the series Dan. I had one that was customized by Robar a number of years ago. I found out from Robbie Barrkman where the serial number was located.

 

[dtucker]

So what is the serial number and production date? These are the only markings on it. What does L.G.K.T 0098 refer to? I took the grip panels off this morning and their are no numbers or anything on the frame of either side. Is this a pre war war 11, during the war or after the war production pistol?

 

[JRS]

As I stated earlier Dan, it is on the frame, directly under the trigger guard.

 

[dtucker]

Their are no markings under the trigger guard or serial number to be found on the outside or under the grips when i took them off. I did find some info and almost sure of what it is and about when it was produced. They have the serial numbers where my number 103 is marked on the slide and frame. I googled series 103 Browning Hi Power 9mm and came up with this. Still have no clue on serial number or when it was manufactured.

Here is 1 that i found that was on a auction site about 2 years ago. It went for a tad over 2000.00 Mine is in good shape but does not retain the 95% bluing on it.


Here's a super clean early post-war FN Hi-Power 9mm pistol that was made for an Austrian Police contract. It is marked on the front strap "LGKT" stands for "LandesGendarmerieKommando Tirol" (Rural Police Command, Tirol). Tirol is a Federal State in western Austria. This pistol has matching serial numbers on the frame, slide and barrel as well as matching police property numbers on the front strap, and both magazines! Even the original box is numbered to the pistol! There are NO import markings and the finish is all original with minor wear and handling marks. There is no rust or pitting. I'd grade the finish at about 95% overall. Excellent bore and action. The box has some paper-tape repairs to the interior but is in very presentable condition. A really nice example that would be tough to improve upon!