[James K]

The High Power was called that virtually from day one. The original term was "Grande Puissance" which translates as "High Power." An FN catalog (in English) from its introduction date of 1934 calls it the High Power. The first nation to adopt the pistol was Belgium, where it was called the "Modele 1935". After the Germans took over, they called it the P.35(b) and so marked it, so the term "P.35" was given it by a conquering enemy.

So, unless one is speaking specifically of a pistol made for, or taken over by, the German occupation, the term "P.35" is technically not correct.

The "military" pistol, made before WWII, did not differ from the civilian pistol made at that time and all parts (except for sights) interchange. The same pistol was made for the Germans throughout WWII although late ones have no magazine safety. In the post-war period, first commercial production also had no magazine safety, but that was soon re-installed. In 1950, there were a number of changes made, some minor and some major. In 1962, there were major and visible changes. The extractor was made external, the sear lever retainer changed to a roll pin, and some more minor modifications made to the barrel dimensions.

There was never a real distinction between the "Browning" HP and the "FN" HP. In the beginning, FN used the well known Browning name for advertising, even though Browning died in 1926, and had nothing to do with the design of the pistol, which was by Saive.

More recently, HPs imported into the US by Browning Arms Co. (solely an importer) were marked Browning Arms Co., but otherwise differed not at all from those made for other countries.

Jim