Anyone know about an all Belgium Browning Hi-Power that starts with serial number 511MM? Found a beauty at the gun show today that may be NIB. Tangent sights and the deep bluing with walnut grips. I can't find much about that serial number range at all........... HELP and quick. I may go back tomorrow and buy it if they still have it.
L

511 = 9mmP
MM = '00 as in 2000

They made a tangent sight in 2000?

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

I have a tangent sight model from 2000. Model was call "Capitan".

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Does this info below make sense??
L

Rare all Belgian; Tangent/Slotted Hi-Power
"It was a military contract handgun intended for Denmark that fell through and ended up in a Browning Collector's Association purchase. The hammer is the keyhole type--all specs the same as the originals and even made entirely in Belgium. It is not a "reproduction" imitation but an actual new run of the original design in WWII. List price was $1299. Apparently they are the latest bonafide P-35s of this type--whatever that means to collectors of actual WWII guns versus those made after 2000 is anybody's guess or argument.
I prefer to find guns that still look 97% or higher with box and papers over well worn and used relics. Just my preference. I know if I could hunt down an "original vintage" tangent/slotted/keyholed hammer P-35 above 97% it would probably be inside a museum next to the crown jewels or the Sapphire of India.
Why bother?
I get the feeling many collectors overlook recent gems like this at times."




Here's a little more info I have about these pistols...........

The Shotgun News ad from Vector Arms states that, and I quote,

"The "511" prefix pistols have additional special features like a wider trigger, loaded-chamber indicator and external spring loaded "fast-eject" magazines."

All pistols, have larger/reinforced sears and firing mechanisms.

These are truly special Hi- Powers.

Those Vector Arms imports were heavily advertised for a while and I considered buying one myself. If it matters, a prominent Hi Power collector/dealer I have dealt with and trust indicated that the FN stocks do not actually fit the Vector Arms slotted tangent Hi Powers. Apparently, these were intentionally produced with a back strap slot that fits nothing, just for looks. I never owned a shoulder stock, but felt like they should have a standard slot cut, rather than a faux decorative one, should I ever decide to acquire a shoulder stock... ymmv

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