Browning Hi Power: Looking for info

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  • Magdump

    Don’t troll me bro!
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    Dec 31, 2013
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    FN bought (actually more like separated from browning sort of) the tooling and I believe the Belgium facility to produce the high power pistols and continued doing so in a few different configurations for some time. I was fortunate enough to buy a couple of the blue models new for less than $300 back in the early 90’s. They produced a few in .40 S&W as well. Without doing any research to refresh my memory, there were also FEG marked pistols as well which may be clones made in Hungary but Are apparently identical and share all parts. But the thing to remember is the distinction everyone makes between Belgium Browning High Power and FN Belgium high power.... which is strictly value oriented. Incidentally, the later browning marked stuff will be stamped as made in Belgium/assembled in Portugal while the FN stuff will simply be made in Belgium period. Last I heard, Fabrique Nationale still makes a lot of stuff for Browning. Yours is produced before they started assembly in Portugal so it gives an idea of production date but you’d have to do a serial number check to see when. Which would shed more light on the value of course. Maybe it’s pre MKII? (Serial number on the barrel rather than the frame)
    A vintage (likely late 70’s early 80’s but not sure about the serial number) high power should fetch a deal more than most new full size auto’s on the market today. Maybe start at $1500
    I’ll do some digging.
     
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    DAVE_M

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    That’s a Belgium made Browning Hi Power Centennial. Depending on the condition, it could go anywhere from $1000-3000.

    The odd thing is it’s missing the *Browning Centennial* markings on the right side.
     

    Magdump

    Don’t troll me bro!
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    Dec 31, 2013
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    That’s a Belgium made Browning Hi Power Centennial. Depending on the condition, it could go anywhere from $1000-3000.

    The odd thing is it’s missing the *Browning Centennial* markings on the right side.
    Not necessarily a centennial but looks the same. If it were made in 1978 I’d agree with you.
    This model would simply be a hard chrome high power. And yes, a centennial in 95+% condition in the box could go for over 2k for sure.
    JC, I have a new era correct target rear sight (new condition) for that pistol somewhere if you think you’d ever be interested.
     
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    JCcypress

    Gun Trust Lawyer
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    Thank you! I'll probably leave it as-is for collector purposes. Don't have the original box, but I do somehow have the original owners manual for it.
     

    RaleighReloader

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    I agree with the $2K guesstimate. I'm predicting that we'll see a steady appreciation of HiPowers over the next ~5 years (especially as high-grade 1911's continue to climb in price), so it might be a good gun to tuck in your safe.

    Mike
     

    DAVE_M

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    Not necessarily a centennial but looks the same. If it were made in 1978 I’d agree with you.
    This model would simply be a hard chrome high power. And yes, a centennial in 95+% condition in the box could go for over 2k for sure.
    JC, I have a new era correct target rear sight (new condition) for that pistol somewhere if you think you’d ever be interested.

    Hard chromed Hi Power pistols specifically with the gold trigger were blasted, came with target sights, and had polymer grips.

    While it's not specifically a Centennial, it's not hard chrome either.

    wm_4008163.jpg
     
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