February 13, 2021, 04:31 AM | #1 |
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FN Browning Hi Power info
Are there any hi power gurus or experts that can shed some light on one I recently obtained. I’ve gathered it’s a mk2 surplus from 1985. No import marks however. Any corrections or additional info. Original finish?
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February 13, 2021, 04:33 AM | #2 |
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February 13, 2021, 06:34 PM | #3 |
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Looks like a typical contract Mark II that appears to be in very good condition.
The photos are a bit underexposed, so it’s hard to tell if the finish is original, but it looks to be in remarkable condition. The original enamel finish doesn’t hold up that well. |
February 13, 2021, 08:04 PM | #4 | |
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Any idea why no import marks. I’ve checked mag well, barrel, trigger guard, dust cover and inside of frame. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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February 13, 2021, 09:43 PM | #5 |
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Some importers will wisely mark them in obscure locations such as under the grips or side of the barrel.
Alternatively, a re-finish may have obliterated the import marks. Could this pistol have been re-parked? The finish looks a bit lighter than normal, though again, it’s hard to tell in the photos. |
February 14, 2021, 03:33 AM | #6 |
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February 14, 2021, 12:16 PM | #7 | |
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They range from black, grey, light gray green.
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February 14, 2021, 06:52 PM | #8 |
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It looks like an ex-Israeli police, the circle with the Hebrew letter "Mem" and the lanyard ring are the clues. Not sure why the importation markings are not visible.
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February 15, 2021, 12:14 AM | #9 |
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February 15, 2021, 08:25 AM | #10 |
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Have an Israli surplus from a batch in the 90's and the import mark was barely visible on right side of upper frame. They came with what was reported as an epoxy finish over parkerizing. The epoxy was reportedly very difficult to get off. The finish's were pretty beat up, reportedly they were just piled up into a box for storage.
Am not an exspurt by any means, but your pistol looks refinished, and possibly bead blasted before being parkerized. Even bead blasting would have removed the faint import stamp. |
March 2, 2021, 09:51 PM | #11 |
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March 12, 2021, 12:56 PM | #12 |
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You have a nice MK II. I had a late, 1988, MK II, but mine had what appeared to be a parkerized type finish. Mine had the firing pin safety like the MK IIIs, but your '85 gun may not have the FPS. In any case, the MK IIs are excellent, reliable, forged frame Hi Powers.
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March 15, 2021, 08:08 AM | #13 | ||
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March 15, 2021, 09:18 PM | #14 | |
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March 20, 2021, 04:34 AM | #15 |
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Definitely Israeli police turnin, I have one similarly marked with a blue finish, also marked with a star also blued. Neither of my pistols are import marked.
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March 20, 2021, 11:20 AM | #16 |
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I've always had a yearning for the FN High Power, but absolutely cannot stand epoxy finishes. Blue, matte SS or Parkerized are what I lean to.
Does anyone here know which High Power was made with an original parkerized finish, the where and when?
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March 20, 2021, 11:44 AM | #17 | |
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Since it didn't have the polished blue of the commercial models it wasn't a booming success, even to police and military. It also appeared at about the same time as Glock (early '80's).....whose sales far eclipsed the HP and other steel/aluminum framed pistols and virtually killed off revolvers in law enforcement. No FN/Browning Hi Power has ever been available in stainless steel. You may find the occasional MkII in epoxy finish, but none in polished blue. The FN epoxy finish is pretty darn good btw.
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March 20, 2021, 01:04 PM | #18 | |
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BTW, your transfers fee is very generous! $45. to $75. is the going rate here. Plus our state questionnaire fees.
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