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Manufacturing Date for Browning FN High Power

kwc02kwc02 Member Posts: 19 ✭✭
edited December 2007 in Ask the Experts
Experts, please help. I'm trying to find a manufacturing date for my Fabrique Nationale High Power. The serial number is 33000.

Any ideas?

Happy New Years Eve!!

Thanks, Ken

[8D]

p1010639vo3.jpg

Does anyone have an estimate as to it's value? It has 2 matching clips and an old matching holster.

Happy New Year!!

Thanks again, Ken

Comments

  • MBKMBK Member Posts: 2,919 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hope I memorized this right. Numbers start in 1955 at 72,251-75000 range. Then in 1976 they added 2 letter codes before the serial.

    (These are for the Browing FN Highpower.)

    Do you have these for us?
  • dogtown tomdogtown tom Member Posts: 170 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Please post a pic of your Hi Power. It will make dating it a bit more accurate. There are a few HP copies/clones that use smiliar rollmarks.

    If your HP has only the serial #33000 it is most likely a pre 1954 or "post war" Hi Power. Without a picture that's just a guess.

    ********************


    From the Browning website:

    The 9mm Hi-Power pistol was introduced to the U.S. market in 1954. Serial numbers from 1954 through 1957 are estimates only. From 1958 on, better records were kept and the serial numbers are more accurate. The 40 S&W caliber was introduced in 1994This pistol is still in production today.

    To find your serial number, you will need to refer to your owner's manual. We have most owner's manuals online. You can go to those by clicking here.

    Date Historic Information Serial Number Info
    1954-57 The Hi-Power 9mm pistol was introduced in 1954. 70000-80,000
    Accurate production figures are unavailable.
    1958 In 1958 Browning kept better records of the Hi-Power pistol, so the serial number ranges are more accurate 80001-85276
    1959 85268-89687
    1960 89688-93027
    1961 93028-109145
    1962 109146-113548
    1963 113549-115822

    1964 In 1964 the product code for the Hi-Power was the letter "T" 115823-T136-568
    1965 T136569-T146372
    1966 T146373-T173285
    1967 T173286-T213999
    1968 T214000-T258000

    1969-75 T258001-261000
    In 1969 Browning started using two digits for the date of manufacture which was followed by a four digit code that identified the type of firearm: C=Hi-Power
    This was then followed by the serial number beginning with 1000.
    Example: 69C1000 = A 1969 Hi-Power pistol with a serial number of 1000.
    C=Hi-Power
    1976-1997 In 1975 Browning standardized its serial number identification which it followed until 1998.
    1. Hi-Power Type 2W5=40 S&W, 245=9mm
    2. Date of Manufacture is a two digit code:
    Z=1
    Y=2
    X=3
    W=4
    V=5
    T=6
    R=7
    P=8
    N=9
    M=0
    3. Serial Number
    beginning with 01001
    at the start of each year.

    Serial Number Example:245RT01001
    This would be a 9mm Hi-Power pistol, manufactured in 1976 with the serial number 01001.

    1998 In 1998 Browning redid the standardization of its serial number identifications to work with its new data base program, Oracle.
    1. Hi-Power Type 510=Hi-Power
    2. Date of Manufacture
    is a two digit code
    Z=1
    Y=2
    X=3
    W=4
    V=5
    T=6
    R=7
    P=8
    N=9
    M=0
    3. Serial Number
    beginning with 01001
    at the start of each year.

    Serial Number Example:510NN01001

    This would be a 9mm Hi-Power pistol, manufactured in 1999 with the serial number 01001.

    *****************************
  • kwc02kwc02 Member Posts: 19 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by dogtown tom
    Please post a pic of your Hi Power. It will make dating it a bit more accurate. There are a few HP copies/clones that use smiliar rollmarks.

    If your HP has only the serial #33000 it is most likely a pre 1954 or "post war" Hi Power. Without a picture that's just a guess.

    ********************


    From the Browning website:

    The 9mm Hi-Power pistol was introduced to the U.S. market in 1954. Serial numbers from 1954 through 1957 are estimates only. From 1958 on, better records were kept and the serial numbers are more accurate. The 40 S&W caliber was introduced in 1994This pistol is still in production today.

    To find your serial number, you will need to refer to your owner's manual. We have most owner's manuals online. You can go to those by clicking here.

    Date Historic Information Serial Number Info
    1954-57 The Hi-Power 9mm pistol was introduced in 1954. 70000-80,000
    Accurate production figures are unavailable.
    1958 In 1958 Browning kept better records of the Hi-Power pistol, so the serial number ranges are more accurate 80001-85276
    1959 85268-89687
    1960 89688-93027
    1961 93028-109145
    1962 109146-113548
    1963 113549-115822

    1964 In 1964 the product code for the Hi-Power was the letter "T" 115823-T136-568
    1965 T136569-T146372
    1966 T146373-T173285
    1967 T173286-T213999
    1968 T214000-T258000

    1969-75 T258001-261000
    In 1969 Browning started using two digits for the date of manufacture which was followed by a four digit code that identified the type of firearm: C=Hi-Power
    This was then followed by the serial number beginning with 1000.
    Example: 69C1000 = A 1969 Hi-Power pistol with a serial number of 1000.
    C=Hi-Power
    1976-1997 In 1975 Browning standardized its serial number identification which it followed until 1998.
    1. Hi-Power Type 2W5=40 S&W, 245=9mm
    2. Date of Manufacture is a two digit code:
    Z=1
    Y=2
    X=3
    W=4
    V=5
    T=6
    R=7
    P=8
    N=9
    M=0
    3. Serial Number
    beginning with 01001
    at the start of each year.

    Serial Number Example:245RT01001
    This would be a 9mm Hi-Power pistol, manufactured in 1976 with the serial number 01001.

    1998 In 1998 Browning redid the standardization of its serial number identifications to work with its new data base program, Oracle.
    1. Hi-Power Type 510=Hi-Power
    2. Date of Manufacture
    is a two digit code
    Z=1
    Y=2
    X=3
    W=4
    V=5
    T=6
    R=7
    P=8
    N=9
    M=0
    3. Serial Number
    beginning with 01001
    at the start of each year.

    Serial Number Example:510NN01001

    This would be a 9mm Hi-Power pistol, manufactured in 1999 with the serial number 01001.

    *****************************






    Thank you very much for the information. I've attached the best picture I have. If you would like me to email you the picture, I'd be glad to.

    Regards, Ken
  • legn4legn4 Member Posts: 481 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Ken, A guess here 1935- 1940. I have a twin to yours in the high 46XXX #. And was told it was made late 1939.It has no German marking also. HTH, Eddie
  • dogtown tomdogtown tom Member Posts: 170 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    What a beauty!!!

    I agree with Ken. Looks like prewar.
  • kwc02kwc02 Member Posts: 19 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Does anyone have an estimate as to it's value? It has 2 matching clips and an old matching holster.

    Happy New Year!!

    Thanks again, Ken
  • perry shooterperry shooter Member Posts: 17,390
    edited November -1
    I agree Pre WWII in that condition $1000.00 + for the right person. I sold a tangent sighted NAZI marked for more but the military collectors will pay more.
  • rufe-snowrufe-snow Member Posts: 18,649 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Go to this site

    http://www.panchogun.com/FV-FN-HP35-Belgium-w-Stock-Page.html


    It has photos of a pre W W II, Belgian Army High Power. Notice the serial number, is quite close to yours. Compare all the markings on both sides of the pistol with the markings on yours. Also note the tangent sight, and dovetailed front sight. It's my understanding that the majority of the pre W W II High Powers, were military contract guns, cut for shoulder stocks, with tangent sights. The proof marks and other markings were also different, from the post W W II production High Powers.
  • hammondhammond Member Posts: 1

    Hi,


    I have a Browning Hi power, Serial # 128220 and I can use some help dating the gun. That S number doesn't match anything on the Browning site. Stamped is "Browning Arma Cost Loiuus Mo & Montreal" " Made in Belgium" I can send photos if it helps.


    Thanks!

  • rufe-snowrufe-snow Member Posts: 18,649 ✭✭✭

    The mods normally close the topics after 10 posts.


    I believe, there should be a "T" prefix to your serial number. Which would date it to 1964. As this was the first year, that Browning utilized a alphanumeric serial number. There is always a possibility that somebody dropped the ball. And left out the "T". When your pistol was serialized?

This discussion has been closed.