Can anyone tell me what make and model this handgun is? PICS

[EvanNexus]

A friend passed away not long ago and he had a 9mm under his bed. It was pointed out to me by his wife and I tried to find any indication of who made it or what model it is, but I got nothing. I've done plenty of searching and found handguns that look similar but I'm not content that this is the same as those.

Serial number is on the barrel and forward of hand grip. Reads as "F 21094"
I'm not sure on how to disassemble the gun.. I can't even get the hammer to release. I don't think it's broken, I'm not doing something right.

Enjoy the pics
Thanks for checkin it out! A point in the right direction would be great, a decisive answer would be even better!

 

[anothernewb]

it's a browning hipower of some sort or a good clone. I'm not versed enough in them to sell if it's a Belgian made one or one of the secondary makers. The lack of roll marks and simple serial numbers and combat sights to me seems to point toward a military model.

 

[EvanNexus]

Thats cool! Got any idea how much something like that is worth?

 

[SC Shooter]

It looks like a Browning Hi-Power, but I can't identify the serial number. It might be a clone. If there is no magazine in the gun, I don't think the hammer will release.

 

[EvanNexus]

That's great to find out what it is, I've wondered for days. What kind of reputation do the Browning Hi-Power's have?

 

[anothernewb]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Browning_Hi-Power


IMO a Hi-power is to 9mm what the 1911 is to the .45. They are an excellent 9mm with a very loyal following. Many militaries used them in the past, I believe several still use them today. My own practical is a superbly feeling, accurate gun. all in all - it probably feels better in my hand than my 1911 does.

a Belgian made hipower in good shape can bring $700-$1000 or more depending on condition - and where you sell it.

I recently sold a FM clone for $450 and was used, but in generally good shape.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

It looks to be a Hi-Power, probably a clone. The external condition looks good, which is probably a good indication of the general condition of the internal parts, though it would need to be taken down, inspected, and cleaned to be sure of its condition.

I say "probably a clone" because the S/N doesn't match the format on the Browning site for their Hi-Powers:

http://www.browning.com/customerservice/dategun/detail.asp?id=35

Also, I'm pretty sure Browning had some roll stamping on their slides, which this one doesn't.

Here's a manual for the Hi-Power:

http://media.browning.com/pdf/om/hipowermanual.pdf


As to worth...I think that's mostly subjective, based on what the buyer is willing to pay. A good condition clone probably runs a few hundred...$400 or so. A Browning probably high three figures.

If nobody here can actually ID it any better, I'd take it to someone who could actually tell you and then see what it's worth that way.

I've always wanted a Hi-Power and if this is in as good a condition as it looks and the lady is willing to sell, I'd make what I felt was a reasonable offer and see what happens.

 

[EvanNexus]

That's great news, hope it's not a clone.
I do have one thing to say about it, when the slide is locked back the barrel does have much noticeable wobble. I wouldn't say it would affect the accuracy especially at close range. It just clanks around, the whole gun clanks around lol.
I was wondering if that said anything about the quality, as to if it were a clone or not.

It's his wife's gun now that he's gone, but I really wanted to take it upon myself to figure out all I could about it.

 

[SC Shooter]

I believe this may be a BHP clone manufatured by FEG. I located some information where their serial numbers start with F, but the article allso stated that you could not date FEG's by their serial number. A true browning Hi-Power that is used will sell in the range of $450 to $700 depending on condition, etc. I would guess a clone would be about half that.

 

[EvanNexus]

Great information, thanks! I suppose I should have someone more knowledgeable inspect it in person. And I think the gun will go to someone in her family, I'm pretty sure.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

High Powers that are actually made by Browning, from the past are generally considered to be great shooters and have a great reputation. Ones in good shape sometimes command a premium price.

Clones of the High Power are usually considered desirable range guns, but are not typically worth more than a few hundred dollars.

I'm not sure if that is a clone or a genuine one, but I think it looks to be a clone (but a nice one). If I were you, I'd perhaps start a new thread titled "Help Identify this High-Power". You will draw in the High-Power guys that way, and they will be more helpful.

 

[anothernewb]

did some looking around the web. based on the lack of roll marks and the half moon front sight. I'm thinking it's a FEG hi-power. with the single saftey - I'm also thinking earlier manufacture - 70's or older perhaps. But the hammer is of the newer design. but again, I'm far from an expert in them.

That's not necessarily bad though - it's probably not a $700+ gun, but they weren't crap manufacture either. That one looks to be in very nice shape. it's still likely a $300+ gun, and it's likely to be a nice accurate copy as well. I wouldn't be ashamed to have it in my collection.

 

[dafyddgam]

You may have a very rare High Power. The apparent fit and finish suggests manufacture by FN or Inglis (Canada). The lack of markings other than a strange serial no. means it could be a covert ops weapon. The CIA issued High Power Brownings in Viet Nam and other places on the night soil circuit as did MI6.

 

[rcmodel]

I can't even get the hammer to release. I don't think it's broken, I'm not doing something right.

Hi-Powers have a magazine disconnect safety unless someone took it out.

Put an empty or loaded magazine in it and you can lower the hammer.

rc

 

[greyling22]

I'm not an expert, but it looks like a feg slide release. also, in the pictures it looks like maybe the rollmark was obliterated some how? filled, polished and blued? or maybe that is just the lighting on my computer. Worse case scenario it is a good condition feg, worth about 350-450 today.

 

[matrem]

As far as that barrel wobble when the slide's back.
That may not be an issue when it's in battery.
Kinda like trying to bunt a fastball with both hands at your end of the bat.

 

[rbernie]

You may have a very rare High Power. The apparent fit and finish suggests manufacture by FN or Inglis (Canada). The lack of markings other than a strange serial no. means it could be a covert ops weapon.

Well, let's not get dramatic just yet. The slide release/stop and hammer don't line up at all with a Belgian BHP (FN or Browning marked) or Canadian Inglis, respectively.

This looks almost certainly to be an FEG. FM (Argentinian) BHP clones were always well marked, but FEG's (Hungarian manufacture BHP clones) were not. Some FEGs were made for importation into the US as Charles Daly or other, and their slide rollmarks applied on a lot-by-lot basis. As has been pointed out, it may simply have been an FEG or FM that was polished out and refinished. Assuming that it's a commercial variant, I would expect the barrel and the frame (inside dust cover) to have stampings that will identify it. Can you post close up pictures of the barrel hood?

I'd find somebody that knows how to break down a BHP and look for stampings.

ETA - I have owned three (3) FEG or FM BHP clones and they're decent shooters - no worries there. I could never tell them from the real BHP in terms of accuracy, and parts interchange between them and the original was 100%. Value for a clone is about $400-$450 in most places, and values for the real deal are almost double that.

 

[mattk]

Looks like an FEG to my eyes. Never seen a Browning or Inglis or FM gun with the wedge shaped cut out on the front strap.
Nothing wrong with FEG guns. Good shooters in my limited expeirence with them.

 

[dogtown tom]

It's an FEG clone.......

anothernewb did some looking around the web. based on the lack of roll marks and the half moon front sight. I'm thinking it's a FEG hi-power.

Genuine FN/Browning Hi Powers have half moon front sights as well. (that's why this is a clone.....FEG copied the design)

But the hammer is of the newer design. but again, I'm far from an expert in them.

Round hammers came on the first Hi Power in 1935, with the spur type appearing in the '70's.

dafyddgam You may have a very rare High Power. The apparent fit and finish suggests manufacture by FN or Inglis (Canada). The lack of markings other than a strange serial no. means it could be a covert ops weapon. The CIA issued High Power Brownings in Viet Nam and other places on the night soil circuit as did MI6.

No. The lack of markings is common on FEG Hi Powers......as is fake FN markings.

Inglis never manufactured any Hi Power remotely like the one pictured.

"Covert ops"? Please.

 

[rcmodel]

I think I can barely make out some proof-marks on the barrel chamber area right above the serial number.
(Just under the ejection port in the slide.)

That would be a major clue in figuring out its country of origin if the OP could post a better picture of it.

rc

 

[loose noose]

Looks to me to be an FEG Model PJK-9HP, there value depending on location goes $255-$400 if in original condition. However if there are no markings on the outside of the gun I would presume the gun has been refinished and polished out the markings. Therefore the value would be greatly diminished.

I had one back in the early '90s, and it was a great shooter, I ended up trading it in for a Remington 870 Wingmaster in 20ga. for my son. Kind of sorry I did, as I mentioned before it was a great shooter.

 

[MTMilitiaman]

That's easy! That's a Browning P35 High Power. Now whether it is an FN, Browning, or some South Americana build, I can't tell ya, but that is one of those iconic Browning masterpieces right there...

 

[lathedog]

It looks like an FEG. Someone removed the markings off the slide, and it has been reblued. Look at the waviness there the flat meets the curve all across the length of the slide.

An FEG in really nice condition goes for about...wait...I'll let you do a search on gunbroker and find out for yourself.

 

[Ron James]

And no, it is not a covert, ( sanitized ) High Power. The CIA used normal everyday High Powers. They were already sanitized by the very abundance of the firearm in existence. No need to remove any markings. Yes, I have seen and handled the High Powers that it CIA used. ( B52 missions out of Ban Me Thout, the highlands ). it appears to be a FEG clone.

 

[Schlegel]

It's absolutely an FEG clone of the HP- the slightly different slide stop was one of their intermediate changes before they went to a S&W style barrel lug and really started to change things from the original.

P.S. Don't worry about a little wiggle when the slide is locked back. The bullet is long gone by then. Closed slide is what matters.