I Found a "B" Word, Made For The "N" Words

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WaistGunner

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I visited a retired LEO two weeks ago to peruse some old firearms he wanted to sell. I saw an ugly duckling on the table that sparked my curiosity. I am trying hard to learn about semi-auto pistols, but this one had me stumped. A buddy accompanying me said it looked like a Browning clone. Duckie was an all steel gun, covered in a horrible, black spray paint that smothered all markings, was filthy inside, and sporting a pair of newer Pachmayr wrap-around grips, (which gave me hope it was possibly an American pistol.) It also had a double stack steel magazine in the well.

Old LEO said it still functioned, so I trusted him and plunked down the $90.00 asking price. I took it home and for 210 minutes, gently scrubbed the crud off of, and out of every surface, nook, and cranny I could reach. While doing so, I began to see proofmarks from the German Socialist Party so popular during the 1930's-40's. Other markings, however slight (or deliberately faded,) indicated that the pistol was an FN Browning Hi-Power 9MM. After the scrub, it is still ugly, but now donning its natural patina which I am so happy to see. I plan on a range day with the old fraulien soon. Thom (Sasaberanger) and I worked out a trade for some vintage wooden grips to replace the rubber Packies. (Thanks Thom) I know it is not a Smith and Wesson, but this old warhorse has now found a home with someone who will appreciate and shoot it! Just thought I would share. Note to all...take a risk on old fixer-uppers now and then if the price is right! Blessings, Waistgunner
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I visited a retired LEO two weeks ago to peruse some old firearms he wanted to sell. I saw an ugly duckling on the table that sparked my curiosity. I am trying hard to learn about semi-auto pistols, but this one had me stumped. A buddy accompanying me said it looked like a Browning clone. Duckie was an all steel gun, covered in a horrible, black spray paint that smothered all markings, was filthy inside, and sporting a pair of newer Pachmayr wrap-around grips, (which gave me hope it was possibly an American pistol.) It also had a double stack steel magazine in the well.

Old LEO said it still functioned, so I trusted him and plunked down the $90.00 asking price. I took it home and for 210 minutes, gently scrubbed the crud off of, and out of every surface, nook, and cranny I could reach. While doing so, I began to see proofmarks from the German Socialist Party so popular during the 1930's-40's. Other markings, however slight (or deliberately faded,) indicated that the pistol was an FN Browning Hi-Power 9MM. After the scrub, it is still ugly, but now donning its natural patina which I am so happy to see. I plan on a range day with the old fraulien soon. Thom (Sasaberanger) and I worked out a trade for some vintage wooden grips to replace the rubber Packies. (Thanks Thom) I know it is not a Smith and Wesson, but this old warhorse has now found a home with someone who will appreciate and shoot it! Just thought I would share. Note to all...take a risk on old fixer-uppers now and then if the price is right! Blessings, Waistgunner
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Before someone else says it.."POST A PIC"...sounds like you got a nice deal...in spite of the work to get it cleaned up!!
 
If he had Matt,
The "Zeibart" and Pachy's would have sent you seeking the crying towel!
Perhaps WaistGunner was being kind?
 
Dang it guys! You are right, I should have taken "before" photos, as it looked like a teen- ager tortured airsoft or beat-up bee bee gun. Next time I find a fixer upper, I promise to take pix before I go "psycho cleaner" on it. Should I put better pix when I get Thom's wood panels on it? Or, would it be wasted space on our S&W forum? Have faith, America will rise again! WG
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I had a HP with the "black spray paint." As I understand it, that was the finish put on some military guns. It was a substitute for polishing and blueing the piece.
 
You have an HP that was probably made during the German occupation of Belgium from spring of 1940 until around the end of 1944.

FN Herstal was operated making weapons for the German army, including M98 Mausers (for which FN was already making when the Germans arrived) as well as the HP Pistol which was the P359b) in Heereswaffenampt nomenclature.

The quality of the P35 made at FN declined as teh war went on, particularly the finish. Tool marks became very obvious and fit was not great either. In addition, there was always the danger of the Belgians producing intentionally defective guns.

Early in the war the guns had wood stocks and a nice blue finish... by the end of the war the stocks were plastic and the finish some sort of black material.

The bulk of the P35(b) went to the SS and say a lot of service on all fronts. The P35 was well liked by the SS and they made sure they got the lions share of production.

From the look of your gun I would guess it is fairly early production.

There is an HP forum that probably can provide you a lot more detail on the HP than I can.

And FWIW , CDNN has some very nice rosewood stocks for HPs at $35 (if I recall correctly.)

FWIW

Chuck
 
Thank you very much for the continuing education on the FN HP, fellow forum members. From what I can see with my aging eyes and a loop, the Waffen marks have the "40" in them, so that could be the year of production, I assume. I should check in on the HP forum for more detailed information. None the less, you are all a great bunch of folks to talk with and learn from! PS: Thanks for your generous offer arfmel, but I must decline at this time...I haven't even shot this one yet...I hope it works! WG
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Those old fixer-uppers are a lot of fun and challenge and that HiPower came out nicely. I'll bet that you'll find that its quite accurate if the barrel isn't crapped out.
 
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