Help me identify model of my new Hi Power

MandolinMan · May 9, 2013, 09:01 AM

Hello all, here's my first post and first question ( more sure to follow)!

I just bought a Browning Hi Power at LGS but can't seem to figure out exactly what model it is. Seems to be a lot of guys on this forum who really know their stuff, any help would be appreciated. I can't upload a picture at the moment ( computer problems) so I'll list all the particulars I can think of about the gun:

Manufactured in '88, according to the serial number. Marked Made In Belgium.

Shiny blued finish with the barrel left " In the white"-- unblued.

Checkered walnut grips. No ambidextrous safety. Standard military sights with half moon front. I think it has a straight throated feed ramp. I looked at a few pictures and it didn't look like the humped feed ramp. No rib running between the front and rear sights.

Paid $599+ tax at the LGS for it. It appears to be unfired. Came with box and one mag. Good deal???

Ran a few rounds through it ( literally 15 rnds, this days of ammo madness is starting to make me mad!!!) and it function great.

Any help identifying the model would be appreciated.

Aaron

g.willikers · May 9, 2013, 09:13 AM

Don't know about your gun, but Welcome to the forum.

Pilot · May 9, 2013, 10:31 AM

I have a MK III Hi Power, made in 1994. Yours sounds like a MK III as it does not have a rib, or it could be one of the transitional pistols with characteristics of both MK II and MK III. Can you post some pics? You got a GREAT deal, btw, especially for a Hi Power in that condition.

This may help some.

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/D...IIandMkIII.htm

WVsig · May 9, 2013, 07:36 PM

Pics are needed... Any secondary import marks on the gun ? PW arms etc...

MandolinMan · May 11, 2013, 09:55 AM

Thanks for your replies. And sorry I can't upload any pictures. I've scoured the internet trying to find what information I could. I guess I'm still confused over a couple of the features on mine. Like the lack of an ambidexterous safety. From what I've read online all of the mark II's and III's had ambidexterous safeties. Anyone know if Mark II or III's were produced without these? Anyone know also the years of production for the Mark I, II, and III's respectively? Thanks.

ddc · May 11, 2013, 03:35 PM

These links may help assuming you haven't found these sites already:

http://www.browning.com/customerserv...tail.asp?id=35

http://hipowertalk.com/forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=6

chuntaro · May 28, 2013, 08:06 AM

Hello:

If what has been described is a 1988 Browning marked hi power with no shallow top rib, no drain hole and includes the single sided safety and the hog nose bushing at the front of the slide the pistol is a type 73 classic pattern. It may have said vigilante or standard on the box when new. It would have been built just like a pre mk ll even though it was produced concurrently.

May 9, 2013, 09:01 AM	#1
MandolinMan Senior Member Join Date: May 8, 2013 Posts: 339	Help me identify model of my new Hi Power Hello all, here's my first post and first question ( more sure to follow)! I just bought a Browning Hi Power at LGS but can't seem to figure out exactly what model it is. Seems to be a lot of guys on this forum who really know their stuff, any help would be appreciated. I can't upload a picture at the moment ( computer problems) so I'll list all the particulars I can think of about the gun: Manufactured in '88, according to the serial number. Marked Made In Belgium. Shiny blued finish with the barrel left " In the white"-- unblued. Checkered walnut grips. No ambidextrous safety. Standard military sights with half moon front. I think it has a straight throated feed ramp. I looked at a few pictures and it didn't look like the humped feed ramp. No rib running between the front and rear sights. Paid $599+ tax at the LGS for it. It appears to be unfired. Came with box and one mag. Good deal??? Ran a few rounds through it ( literally 15 rnds, this days of ammo madness is starting to make me mad!!!) and it function great. Any help identifying the model would be appreciated. Aaron

May 9, 2013, 09:13 AM	#2
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Don't know about your gun, but Welcome to the forum. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

May 9, 2013, 10:31 AM	#3
Pilot Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2000 Posts: 4,193	I have a MK III Hi Power, made in 1994. Yours sounds like a MK III as it does not have a rib, or it could be one of the transitional pistols with characteristics of both MK II and MK III. Can you post some pics? You got a GREAT deal, btw, especially for a Hi Power in that condition. This may help some. http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/D...IIandMkIII.htm __________________ Pilot Last edited by Pilot; May 9, 2013 at 03:33 PM.

May 9, 2013, 07:36 PM	#4
WVsig Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2010 Location: NC Posts: 5,309	Pics are needed... Any secondary import marks on the gun ? PW arms etc... __________________ -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

May 11, 2013, 09:55 AM	#5
MandolinMan Senior Member Join Date: May 8, 2013 Posts: 339	Thanks for your replies. And sorry I can't upload any pictures. I've scoured the internet trying to find what information I could. I guess I'm still confused over a couple of the features on mine. Like the lack of an ambidexterous safety. From what I've read online all of the mark II's and III's had ambidexterous safeties. Anyone know if Mark II or III's were produced without these? Anyone know also the years of production for the Mark I, II, and III's respectively? Thanks.

May 11, 2013, 03:35 PM	#6
ddc Member Join Date: November 26, 2000 Location: PNW Posts: 83	These links may help assuming you haven't found these sites already: http://www.browning.com/customerserv...tail.asp?id=35 http://hipowertalk.com/forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=6

May 28, 2013, 08:06 AM	#7
chuntaro Junior Member Join Date: May 27, 2013 Posts: 1	Hello: If what has been described is a 1988 Browning marked hi power with no shallow top rib, no drain hole and includes the single sided safety and the hog nose bushing at the front of the slide the pistol is a type 73 classic pattern. It may have said vigilante or standard on the box when new. It would have been built just like a pre mk ll even though it was produced concurrently.