Browning P.35 Hi power (pistole 640 (b) Year of production?

Gebirg · January 27, 2013, 01:48 AM

Great High power with German markings.
Serial no. 1794a what year of production - anyone?
WaA140
This pistol i in good shape i believe, all nr. match - but only waffenamtstamps on mags.

Bill DeShivs · January 27, 2013, 02:42 AM

A lot of strange things going on with that pistol.
Sights are not original, grips are not original.

Rainbow Demon · January 27, 2013, 02:55 AM

Cleaned up one of these awhile back. One grip panel was broken and both badly worn, I suspect the ersatz wood grips weren't very durable.

Some of these pistols were returned to Belgium after the war and re conditioned for sale to police departments in Europe. They did not attempt to deliberately remove the NAZI markings though some lost markings during refinishing.

With alterations some value as a collectors item has been lost, but its likely still a decent pistol.

Caution, some NAZI marked HiPowers don't have a magazine disconnect safety.

Gebirg · January 27, 2013, 03:08 AM

Thank you wery much, are you 100% shure about gripplate and sights?

jonnyc · January 27, 2013, 09:16 AM

That particular HP was produced with a mag disconnect, but you can see that it has been removed.
And yes, 100% sure those are not original grips or sights.
Probably a good shooter HP, but not much of a collectible piece.

WVsig · January 27, 2013, 10:57 AM

How does it shoot? It is a shooter not a collectible pistol at this point. The front and rear sights are not original to the gun. The grips as others pointed out are also aftermarket. The mag disconnect has been removed because the pin in the trigger appears not to be present. It helps that the mag you have is also German proofed to match the gun but the sight change really hurts the value. I know you did not ask about value but the sights being aftermarket leads to that topic.

One other point I would mention is that it has the internal extractor which is prone to breakage. If you shoot the pistol I would look to pick up and extra extractor. Always feed the rounds from the mag with these older BHPs because nothing will snap one of those extractors faster than loading the chamber manually. These extractors are getting hard to come by so if you find them get them. A fair price is about $50 give or take.

It originally looked like this:

Based on what I can see in this picture the serial number is 177XXXX so IIRC that would put it in 1942. :

Here is a link to some solid information. http://www.ai4fr.com/main/page_milit...y_hipower.html

Gebirg · January 27, 2013, 11:53 AM

Thank you all, and that browning of yours was wery nice...

WVsig · January 27, 2013, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Thank you all, and that browning of yours was wery nice...

Unfortunately that one isn't mine...

I just used the pic as a reference point.

January 27, 2013, 02:42 AM	#2
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	A lot of strange things going on with that pistol. Sights are not original, grips are not original. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

January 27, 2013, 09:16 AM	#5
jonnyc Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2009 Location: PA Posts: 1,731	That particular HP was produced with a mag disconnect, but you can see that it has been removed. And yes, 100% sure those are not original grips or sights. Probably a good shooter HP, but not much of a collectible piece. __________________ 2024 PA Cartridge Collector Show; Aug. 16-17, 2024!!! Buy...Sell...Trade All Types of Ammunition & Ordnance PM or email me for 2024 show details.

January 27, 2013, 10:57 AM	#6
WVsig Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2010 Location: NC Posts: 5,309	How does it shoot? It is a shooter not a collectible pistol at this point. The front and rear sights are not original to the gun. The grips as others pointed out are also aftermarket. The mag disconnect has been removed because the pin in the trigger appears not to be present. It helps that the mag you have is also German proofed to match the gun but the sight change really hurts the value. I know you did not ask about value but the sights being aftermarket leads to that topic. One other point I would mention is that it has the internal extractor which is prone to breakage. If you shoot the pistol I would look to pick up and extra extractor. Always feed the rounds from the mag with these older BHPs because nothing will snap one of those extractors faster than loading the chamber manually. These extractors are getting hard to come by so if you find them get them. A fair price is about $50 give or take. It originally looked like this: Based on what I can see in this picture the serial number is 177XXXX so IIRC that would put it in 1942. : Here is a link to some solid information. http://www.ai4fr.com/main/page_milit...y_hipower.html __________________ -The right to be left alone is the most comprehensive of rights, and the right most valued by free people.-Louis Brandeis -Its a tool box... I don't care you put the tools in for the job that's all... -Sam from Ronin -It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. -Aristotle Last edited by WVsig; January 27, 2013 at 11:30 AM. Reason: added info...

January 27, 2013, 02:55 AM	#3
Rainbow Demon Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2012 Posts: 397	Cleaned up one of these awhile back. One grip panel was broken and both badly worn, I suspect the ersatz wood grips weren't very durable. Some of these pistols were returned to Belgium after the war and re conditioned for sale to police departments in Europe. They did not attempt to deliberately remove the NAZI markings though some lost markings during refinishing. With alterations some value as a collectors item has been lost, but its likely still a decent pistol. Caution, some NAZI marked HiPowers don't have a magazine disconnect safety.

January 27, 2013, 03:08 AM	#4
Gebirg Member Join Date: January 26, 2013 Posts: 40	Thank you wery much, are you 100% shure about gripplate and sights?

January 27, 2013, 11:53 AM	#7
Gebirg Member Join Date: January 26, 2013 Posts: 40	Thank you all, and that browning of yours was wery nice...