Value of Inglis made High Power - LOUSY Finish ??

Bekeart

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 6, 2006
Messages
3,682
Reaction score
6,285
Location
KY - 4 Rivers
Value of Inglis made High Power - LOUSY Finish ??

Yesterday I was offered a Inglis made High Power with the tangent rear sight. I know the tangent rear sight brings a premium. Have now idea how being an Inglis affects the value.

Owner wants to trade for a 357 revolver.

Mechanically the pistol seems OK. The finish is terrible. - worn and speckled, but not pitted.

I know the tangent rear sight brings a premium. Comparing it to the 60%-70% Belgium made High Power that Gander had for $400yesterday, I would guess that a Belgium in same condition as the Inglis would certainly be less than $300.

Would appreciate any suggestions as to the Inglis value for a CASH transaction.

Thanks,

Bekeart
 
Larry,
The Inglis guns seem to have an asking price of about $800 with the Tangent sights and lousy finish. And the amazing thing is that they have been selling.
The only slow movers seem to be the ones with a shoulder stock/ holster that may or may not be Inglis made in the $1000+ range.
They originally had a black painted finish and it flakes off with hard use.I originally had eleven different Inglis with Chinese and Commonwealth Markings. Now down to one Chinese marked gun that has been refinished. Andu one Chinese stock and one real Inglis stock.
Depending on the value of your .357 the trade might not be a bad swap.
I don't know what is keeaping the Browning prices up as there is no shortage of FN made BHP guns. The only ones of value to me are the pre 1960 made guns with the thumb print slide and internal extractor.
There were not very many Inglis made guns and I believe that is what is keeping the price up. Also the Inglis gun & stock combo is ATF legal under the C&R regs where most of the Browning stock/gun combos are not.
Just the opinion of an Inglis Fan.
Thom Braxton
SWCA #1474
 
According to Clive Law's book, The Inglis Diamond", and what I can gather, all the Inglis pistols were originally given a "phosphate" finish, essentially similar to Parkerizing. Serial numbers and markings were then machine engraved through that and appeared shiny. Would have to check Stevens' book but I think that the black enameled finish was strictly postwar FN and for refurbished UK BHPs. The Brits and Commonwealth countries had a lot of Inglis pistols in service. I suspect they still have some, just like Victory model S&Ws showing up periodically.

They are very good pistols; I shot my first one, a loaner from the Canadian Army, in 1960. Got a Mk.1* tangent sighted one about 20 years ago which was reparked. The barrel was a bit pitted but it shot quite well anyway. Got a replacement drop-in from Brownell's which made it even better.

Also have an FN Israeli contract from circa 1985 that does have the enamelled finish. Not fancy, but serviceable and solid.

The Inglis guns are a piece of somewhat obscure WWII history, have been relatively affordable, and that is what makes them desirable. A few years back some company was offering three different variants on the surplus market for about $1000 total. I was tempted.

The Law book above is an interesting read.
 
I think the Inglis High Powers have a lot of history associated with them, and I consider one or more of them a "must have" for anyone interested in the P.35 Browning. I bought one in 2007 which was a British WWII issue pistol, and made it the centerpiece of an article on the High Power for the January, 2008 issue of Dillon's Blue Press catalog/magazine. Below the pic is a link to the back articles; scroll down to the January, 2008 issue and click on each page of the article. My personally-owned Inglis pistol is illustrated. It's a Mk.I* made in December, 1944, and received a thorough overhaul in 1962.

INGLIS.jpg


John

Dillon Precision: Reloaders, Reloading Equipment, Bullet Reloading, Bullet Reloaders
 
Last edited:
Interesting and timely thread, I just picked up an Inglis today, haven't even cleaned it yet just took a couple of quick photos. The frame appears to be a phosphate finish and the slide painted black, probably during a rebuild. I mainly bought this because my Dad was in the RCAF in WW2. Interesting guns, I will enjoy researching the history of the Inglis Hi Powers.
002.jpg

004.jpg
 
The "Inglis" hi-powers are high priced due to their collectability. If you just want something to shoot you would be better off to get a FN or Browning.
 
Thanks to all for the information.

I will continue negotiations and see what happens.

Will post pictures if I become the new owner.

Bekeart

As the Great Yogi said "Much Grass, Much Grass!"
Yogi Bear that is ....
 
I'm looking for a tangent sight inglis HP pistol if anyone has one they would like to sell or trade.
I've got some S&W revolvers for trade (flat latch mod.36, 13-3, ww2 victory) and of course cash.

Let me know!

Ron
 
The "Inglis" hi-powers are high priced due to their collectability. If you just want something to shoot you would be better off to get a FN or Browning.

+1 on that.
Their unique history and country of origin adds to the price IMHO.

Navy Arms imported a number of them in the late 80s/early 90's.
Both with and w/o tangent sites.,,black paint finish and parkerized.
Should be import marked if brought in after 1986.
If buying as a collectable look to see if you're getting a 'JI' marked magazine in the gun.
 
I think that many of these are still in service in Canada and maybe, New Zealand So, they aren't on the market.

The UK probably also has some, as well as later Belgian purchases.

T-Star
 
Inglis hi-power

I'm looking for a tangent sight inglis HP pistol if anyone has one they would like to sell or trade.
I've got some S&W revolvers for trade (flat latch mod.36, 13-3, ww2 victory) and of course cash.

Let me know!

Ron

Happen to have one here. Tangent sights, very good original condition, very tight. Had it refinished yrs ago to keep as a defensive arm. Been getting estimates lately, have bought other pistolas and wife will flip if I cant balance purchase,lol. Make offer. E-mail me and I will send pic. Thanks, Mark.
 
Somebody jump on it. Inglis HPs reek of nostalgia.

All real pistoleros have one tucked away somewhere.
 
I have a 1944 Inglis pistol that i am willing to sell.pictures available.serious enquires only please.as a new member, i hope my response does not offend protocol. I have been a collector of military gear for over 50 years and very active on other weapons and W.W.2 web forums.
 
If you're interested in a faux Inglis Hi Power, you might be able to find an Indian Ordnance (Ishapour) Hi Power that looks just like one. It's an unlicensed copy of the Canadian gun. I paid $260 for mine the one year they imported them, and though they are undoubtedly more expensive now, they aren't as high as an original Inglis. They also have the best factory trigger that I've seen of any HP or clone - after you remove the accursed magazine "safety", of course. One nice characteristic - they have the same front sight dovetail as the modern Para-Ordnance, so better sights are available. Do you have any suspicions about where Para got the design specs? :D

Buck
 
Heck for $300.00 I'll take two and have one repainted and one for parts.These are great guns and rather rare,only made them for a year or two.
I would trade anything but a 19 or 27, you should be able to pick up a police trade in a S&W 357 for $400.00 plus or minus or a Ruger or something like it for a lot less, good trade bait.
 

Attachments

  • th_Copy2ofDSC_8962.jpg
    th_Copy2ofDSC_8962.jpg
    3.2 KB · Views: 124

Latest posts

Back
Top