Nazi Marked Browning Hi-Power 9mm fixed sight

Randy A said:
The Germans captured the FN factory in 1940, of course the employees weren't crazy about working for Jerry, so "Yes" quality control was lacking. Many weren't cleaned up very well before bluing and the color is well known to vary. They still functioned fine though, mine is a treat to shoot. They were issued to a large number of SS troops,, not necessarily to officers, (no supporting evidence).
Recommendations:
When shooting, get a replacement firing pin, extractor (original extractors are really frail) and use aftermarket or later production mags. I didn't see all of the magazines in your pictures but an original will have a small extension in the center of the forward edge of the bottom. Original mags are extremely hard to get ahold of and I've seen them going for as much as $400.00, that's no BS.
Problems:
I've only encountered one problem area, although known for thier poor trigger pull I have found a few of the sear pins to be soft and bend over time, (possibly employees,,, sticking it to the man LOL) causing the condition to worsen. Good replacement ones are easy to get and better quality. There is no way to know it's been replaced, some are bent bad enough that there is a risk of damaging the frame when trying to remove, if you're not careful. With good cleaning and lubrication they're not really as bad as people portray.
Here is where I get a little rusty, I don't remember the history very well, but France,,, I believe, originally commissioned John Browning to build them a service pistol. JMB had sold the 1911 patent to Colt, so he couldn't use any part (or design) in any new designs, so he had to start from scratch. Many people say that this was his correction to all the problems of the 1911,,,, "improved design" that's BS, he simply couldn't use a design that wasn't his anymore. That's why the transfer bar trigger system is used instead of the better 1911 style. Anyhow, this design was literally found on his desk after his passing in 1926. Some circles claim that he had this design done as early as 1922, but was hesitant for some reason to go to production with it, regardless of when it was done, FN still didn't produce it intil 1935.
If you send me a PM, I will refer you to someone who can give you a production date of your pistol.
Also, many are almost impossible to see, but most of the 640b's (Waffenampt Hi Powers) have a lower case letter suffix like 34863a. If you miss this letter your date will be way off, I believe they ran a, b and c, I am unaware of and d's. Also, I think yours is original finish, one of the responses has a photo of one that has definitely been polished and blued.
Hope this helps,
Click to expand...

I have two original magazines. They are both very tight in the magazine well and I heard that it is common for it to do that. I know they are extremely rare and I don't understand how they ever could be sold separate. Mind as well just sell the gun/mags. But thanks for the info, it's a great gun for sure and you don't see too many of these.
 
There is a surprising number of them around though, I've seen quite a few,,, lost count. I'm not a big 9mm fan, but other than that, I do prefer it over any 1911's I've owned. Tight shooting, right on the money at 50 yds.
 
By the way, there should be 5 waffenampts on your pistol.
1. Left side of frame by slide release
2. Left side of slide above release
3. Front of slide below barrel
4. Right side of barrel, visible through ejection port, just above barrel serial
5. left side of barrel opposite previous one
 
1. Check
2. Check
3. Check
4. Check
5. Check

Do you know what the "MR" marking means on the magazine? There is another marked on the inside of the slide, I forget the name of the part but it is the piece of steel from the rear all the way to the locking lugs. It also has some weird alien like marking symbols next to the MR. Yeah, Alien like. [rofl]
 
The MR mark, usually found on the front l/h side of the trigger guard, appears on 1910's and 1910/22's, too.
Could be a mark to track the assemblies through the manufacturing process or an inspector's mark, not sure though.
 
The "MR" is still an unsloved mystery, I have scoured the internet, books and some of the best Pro's,,,, nothing. As far as I can tell, the pistols that were produced from the FN facility, while under German control had them. On occasion they were not on the trigger guard as usual, I'm aware of one that was near a tangent sight. I'm on it though, and will let you know when I find out.
 
Thought i would share some pictures of my Hi-Power. It belonged to my Grandfather, i know the grips aren't original he had them replaced.
ColdDayInHell said:
At $400 a magazine I'd be surprised if there were a ton of them around. Would new factory ones even fit in mine?
Click to expand...

I have a couple of mec gear magazines for mine that work great I think i paid 18.00 a piece for them. Only difference is they are 10 rd and not 13.



001.jpg
008.jpg
006.jpg
 
Minus those grips, (which are still pretty nice) that is a sweet looking HP. Is that Nazi proofed as well? I can't see the pictures well enough, too much glare.

Actually I think I can see 2...
 
Yes its a Nazi proof. I can't seem to get a good picture without the glare. I've tried different settings on the camera but still no luck.
 
Tmay said:
Yes its a Nazi proof. I can't seem to get a good picture without the glare. I've tried different settings on the camera but still no luck.
Click to expand...

It's okay. Try using natural light, the glare will be almost non existent. And I know, finding the original grips for the HP is a needle in a haystick. I need replacement ones for my HP, I don't feel safe having the original ones on the gun.
 

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