Mystery Browning Hi-Power

[WVsig]

That's a very nice Hi-Power Toprudder. The pistol and the old price tag brings back memories. I seem to remember prices really jumped up by the mid to late 80's. Feeling nostalgic so I just pulled a PDF copy of 1980 Handgun Test magazine.
Colt 1911: $277
Colt Python: $416
S&W mod 19: $250, mod 13 under $200
H&K P9S: $390

When you account for inflation a Colt 1911 is cheaper today than it was in 1980.

 

[If1HitU]

I know enough to make few educated guesses but I am no expert. I am a BHP fan. I have few.

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Wow this is a good looking family collection for sure.

 

[JDR]

Colt Python: $416

You just had to remind me of all the times I tried to buy one & couldn’t afford it back in the day! The 7 yr. old ‘68 Shelby Mustang Cobra GT500KR (yep 428 CJ) I could have had for $1,800 but I didn’t have it (guy sold it for a $1,500 offer). That $400 Python & the $650 Rolex Submariner mil spec watch both sat in the display case at the Eglin AFB AFEES and me a USAF A1C just stood there & ate my heart out! My friend’s steel submariner with the date cyclops cost more to have serviced than what he paid for it new in 1983. I bought my no-date submariner in 1998 for $2,500 12 mos. same as cash, and in 21 years I’ve worn that watch most days. Same watch is $7,500 today.

 

[Ridg1963]

Thank you WVsig for your time and sharing your knowledge. You've been a great help, this has been a really enjoyable research project. Also, thank you one and all for your contributions. The stamp mark within the the side is indeed a full diamond shape surrounding the number 5 hence dating the slide year 1975. The chrome barrel exterior and bore is pristine. Yet I can tell someone has grinded and polished the feed ramp; perhaps this would indicate it once had had the older hump feed ramp design that was best suited for round nose bullets. It's a two piece barrel. Your right WVsig, theres no proof marks, just stamp marks. From what I've gathered FN added the hognose bushing at some point during the "C" series and then dropped the "C" from the serial number system and changed to a darker bluing by the 1970's. Thus it looks like they pulled a 1975 slide off the self (and perhaps other 1970's parts) stamped it with a 1984 serial number letter code and shipped it out for North American distribution during the year 1984. My dealer found it at an estate sale.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

Made me get mine out to compare. I think this is from 1985, I am the second owner.

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It came with the original rug and instruction manual.

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I bought one just like yours brand new in 76 for $351 & change as I recall.

 

[bannockburn]

Ridg1963

This is an early production Mk.II that WVsig mentioned in his posts. The only thing I changed on it was to replace the factory polymer grips with a complete set of Pachmayrs.

 

[sparkyv]

I know enough to make few educated guesses but I am no expert. I am a BHP fan. I have few.

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WOW! Just Wow!