Help on Hi-Power value

[Siggyboy]

I'm looking for a ballpark value estimate for a Browning Hi-Power. It is older, probably from the 70's or early 80's I'm guessing and I believe is a T-series. It is all Belgian-made, has various Belgian proofmarks, single side safety, rather smallish fixed sights, commander style hammer, blued with wood stocks, about a millimeter rust spot on the slide, otherwise looks to be in very good condition.

Also, are these good shooters? Will they generally feed hollowpoints? I'm not too edu'macated on Hi-Powers yet. Thanks!

 

[Drill Sergeant]

Without photos it is very difficult to judge value - especially with rust or other problems. The T Series does carry collector value and therefore a premium.

As to the Hi-Power as a shooter; it is a great shooter. Mine have been able to shoot hollow points as reliably and accurately as hard ball. They shoot well when reloaded with lead truncated cone and round nose ammo. They offer fast recovery and are highly accurate.

It is my opinion that the Hi-Power is the best 9mm ever manufactured. Period.

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. Based on your information, the gun is not a "T-Series" Hi Power as production on them ceased in the late '60's although there are a few reports of some T serial numbers a bit later. (FN is good about little surprises.) What it sounds like you have is an example of the classic Hi Power, essentially the same as the T, but with a spur hammer rather than ring. If made from the mid to late 70's on, the bushing (non-removable for all practical purposes) extends a little further from the slide than on the "T" guns or the commercials made in the early to mid-70's.

The guns had forged frames and no internal firing pin locks and smallish fixed sights in most cases. The adjustable sight versions had a rather high rear sight and the high front sight is silver soldered to the slide. All of these guns came with checkered walnut grips. I am not sure when Browning quit shipping them in the black and red zipper pouches.

These classic Hi Powers do have the older humped feed ramp and can be somewhat picky as to what JHP ammo they'll feed smoothly. This is not hard to fix should it actually be a problem.

Finish is most often a bright polished blue.

As has been mentioned, it's hard to set a price w/o seeing the gun, but some opine that the older guns are better; others do not. A person wanting a classic Hi Power would probably pay more than one "just" wanting a Hi Power.
Based on what you said about the small rust spot and w/o knowing much else
I'll toss out a ballpark figure: $475 to $525, depending on the exact condition.

Best.

 

[Siggyboy]

Thanks guys. I was totally guessing on the age. It could be from the 60's for all I know. It does have the rounded ring hammer, not a spur hammer. So, I'm guessing its worth about $500 or so. Thanks.

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. With any letters in the serial number, the year of manufacture can be had:

http://www.fnhipower.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=3

Best.