FN GP1935

Byron Quick · February 25, 2001, 09:51 AM

This is a nostalgia question. In the late 70's I purchased a used FN HiPower. The pistol was blued-about 95%. It was marked as I remember on one side of the slide with Fabrique Nationale d'Armes de Guerre. I believe it had Grand (Grande?)Puissance on it also. It was also marked Browning patent depose and had a lanyard ring, ring hammer, and walnut grips. Serial number 47712. This pistol was stolen from me in 1981 or 1982. I later saw an identical model at a gun show with no original finish left and priced ten times what I paid for the firearm. Can you give me any information about the pistol? Thanks in advance.

James K · February 25, 2001, 06:26 PM

You seem to pretty much have covered the bases. There are some variations in the High Powers, so without knowing more info on what you had and what you saw later, there would be no way to tell why the price difference.

Not much help, I'm afraid.

Jim

Hard Ball · February 25, 2001, 07:49 PM

The serial number of your pistol would indicate that it was produced before the German ocupation in 1940.

Byron Quick · February 26, 2001, 09:17 AM

Jim,

As far as the set up of the pistol and the words and styling of lettering the two pistols I saw were identical except mine was near mint and the other was in poor condition but appeared to be sound mechanically. I remember there were various proof marks on my pistol but I cannot remember details. There were no military or police marks of any kind. I gave all the information I had to the police at the time it was stolen. A few years ago, I asked a policeman friend to check the database and he told me it was still listed as stolen. I keep hoping it will turn up one day but then if it did it would probably not have been well treated.

Byron Quick · February 26, 2001, 09:19 AM

Hard Ball,

Any idea what year?

Hard Ball · February 26, 2001, 12:21 PM

Off the top of my head it has to be between 1935 amd june 1940. I believe that serial numbers had reached @56,500 at the time of the German occupation of the FN factory. Pistols produced at FN after that date normally have waffenmat testing and acceptance marks.

Hard Ball · February 26, 2001, 12:21 PM

Off the top of my head it has to be between 1935 amd june 1940. I believe that serial numbers had reached @56,500 at the time of the German occupation of the FN factory. Pistols produced at FN after that date normally have waffenmat testing and acceptance marks.

Byron Quick · February 27, 2001, 12:22 AM

Anybody know where I can get specific information based on the serial number?

Hard Ball · February 27, 2001, 01:54 PM

Sorry, I don't. I have never been able to find a source that lists serial numbers versus years of production for FN prior to 1940. If you find one, please let me know.

February 25, 2001, 09:51 AM	#1
Byron Quick Staff In Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Waynesboro, Georgia, USA Posts: 2,361	This is a nostalgia question. In the late 70's I purchased a used FN HiPower. The pistol was blued-about 95%. It was marked as I remember on one side of the slide with Fabrique Nationale d'Armes de Guerre. I believe it had Grand (Grande?)Puissance on it also. It was also marked Browning patent depose and had a lanyard ring, ring hammer, and walnut grips. Serial number 47712. This pistol was stolen from me in 1981 or 1982. I later saw an identical model at a gun show with no original finish left and priced ten times what I paid for the firearm. Can you give me any information about the pistol? Thanks in advance.

February 25, 2001, 06:26 PM	#2
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	You seem to pretty much have covered the bases. There are some variations in the High Powers, so without knowing more info on what you had and what you saw later, there would be no way to tell why the price difference. Not much help, I'm afraid. Jim

February 25, 2001, 07:49 PM	#3
Hard Ball Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 1999 Location: California Posts: 3,925	The serial number of your pistol would indicate that it was produced before the German ocupation in 1940.

February 26, 2001, 09:17 AM	#4
Byron Quick Staff In Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Waynesboro, Georgia, USA Posts: 2,361	Jim, As far as the set up of the pistol and the words and styling of lettering the two pistols I saw were identical except mine was near mint and the other was in poor condition but appeared to be sound mechanically. I remember there were various proof marks on my pistol but I cannot remember details. There were no military or police marks of any kind. I gave all the information I had to the police at the time it was stolen. A few years ago, I asked a policeman friend to check the database and he told me it was still listed as stolen. I keep hoping it will turn up one day but then if it did it would probably not have been well treated.

February 26, 2001, 09:19 AM	#5
Byron Quick Staff In Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Waynesboro, Georgia, USA Posts: 2,361	Hard Ball, Any idea what year?

February 26, 2001, 12:21 PM	#6
Hard Ball Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 1999 Location: California Posts: 3,925	Off the top of my head it has to be between 1935 amd june 1940. I believe that serial numbers had reached @56,500 at the time of the German occupation of the FN factory. Pistols produced at FN after that date normally have waffenmat testing and acceptance marks.

February 27, 2001, 12:22 AM	#8
Byron Quick Staff In Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Waynesboro, Georgia, USA Posts: 2,361	Anybody know where I can get specific information based on the serial number?

February 27, 2001, 01:54 PM	#9
Hard Ball Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 1999 Location: California Posts: 3,925	Sorry, I don't. I have never been able to find a source that lists serial numbers versus years of production for FN prior to 1940. If you find one, please let me know.