Browning Hi Powers, I know that there are...........

The Browning Hi-Power

Spenser and Axel Foley, among others, have carried them.
 
Something I forgot to mention in my post above is Anthony Vanderlinden's excellent book FN Browning Pistols has some information regarding figuring out the manufacturing date of High Powers that was not in R. Blake Steven's book. As many know, up until about 1963 it was difficult because often Browning would issue the same serial numbers as used previously when a new contract run was produced. Other than the proofmarks and features or known contracts it was often impossible to pin it down. For the guns made between 1946 and 1963, there is a number date code with lines around it, most often marked on the barrel that indicates the year and quarter that it was proofmarked. So assuming that the barrel is original, you can look at the chart and see for example that a gun was made (or at least proofmarked) in the second quarter of 1953 or whatever.
 
I've long admired the Browning Hi-Power but have never bought one for one reason or another (usually because a Smith & Wesson caught my eye about the same time). I've owned a Hungarian and Argentine over the years but sold them both.

I did recently pick up another Argentine about 3-4 months ago.





I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet. My wife and I have been in the hospital/sick for the last couple of months. Prayerfully, things are starting to turn around and I hope to get it to the range soon.
 
Interesting grip, is that something you did to accommodate the LH safety?

The grips are Herrett's Checkered cocobolo ambi safety panels. The dull, no figure original factory grips had the same profile. I sold those to a forum member whose HP had plastic factory grips.

I was very lucky to receive grips with such beautiful grain since I bought them from CDNN!
 
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Love my hi powers. Didn't get my first until later in my "gun life" but it wasn't too long before I got the second. It's a model I always admired and more so since actually owning them. When the "one-gun scenarios" get tossed around I usually say at best I could get down to 3: a 1911, a 3" Model 65 and a BHP. I will show pics later but wanted to post to keep this thread going.
 
First allow me to apologize for the terrible photo. I'll try to replace it with a better one tomorrow. In fact as I posted earlier it was all the truly wonderful photos in this thread that got me on the hunt for a BHP. After a couple of days I finally picked up this new Mark III today.

I have to say it feels as good as I hoped it would. Just need to get her to the range.
BHP_zpsvk4mnwns.jpg
 
First allow me to apologize for the terrible photo. I'll try to replace it with a better one tomorrow. In fact as I posted earlier it was all the truly wonderful photos in this thread that got me on the hunt for a BHP. After a couple of days I finally picked up this new Mark III today.

I have to say it feels as good as I hoped it would. Just need to get her to the range.
BHP_zpsvk4mnwns.jpg

I always liked that LPA sight on those MKIIIs.
 
Another 1994 pdf owner. Left the epoxy finish on, recut the muzzle crown and added thin grips. No worry's over marking it up and it fits the hand better than any other semi owned. Own a newer black finished assembled in Portugal, a .40 and recently obtained a completion gp version.

Excellent pointing pistol, reliable and accurate.
 
I posted this BHP in this forum a few weeks ago but I guess it belongs in this thread as well. This is an early (2 digit serial number) Chinese contract Inglis that I acquired a couple of months ago. According to Clive law's book 1578 of these pistols were part of the infantry division worth of equipment sent to Belgium as aid just after WW II. I understand many of these made their way into the civilian market after being surplused in the 80's
 

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Is blasting the only way to get the epoxy off? What media did you use?

I tried soaking it in all kinds of solutions and the slide came mostly clean but the frame refused so I went the media blasting route. I forgot what my gunsmith said he used, something oxide? If you really want to know send me a message and I'll give him a call.

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This is how it came out after soaking in a solution I bought at Tractor Supply named Evapo-Rust.

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Here she is naked after the blasting. I liked the way it looked and thought about not bluing it and just soaking it with oil and going with the matte finish as is.

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