FN Belgian High Hi Power Finnish Contract 9mm Semi-Auto Pistol, 1940 C&R
Sold For: $3,204
LSB#: 200827DW19
Make: Fabrique Nationale
Model: P35 High Power, Finnish purchased
Serial Number: 14299
Year of Manufacture: 1940 (Page 72 of “The Browning High Power Automatic Pistol” by R. Black Stevens)
Caliber: 9mm Parabellum
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “FABRIQUE NATIONALE D’ARMES DE GUERRE / HERSTAL BELGIQUE” and “BROWNING’S PATENT DEPOSE”. The left side of the slide and frame are marked with Belgian proofs. The right side of the frame and slide and the left of the barrel are marked “14299”. The left front of the trigger guard is marked “SA” in box, the right has “N6” (Finnish markings). The right side of the barrel at the port is marked with a series of Belgian proofs and “CAL 9 M/M P”. The bottom of the trigger guard is import-marked “CAI ST. A. VT.”.
Barrel Length: 4 5/8”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed into a base at the front of the slide. The rear sight is a tangent ladder sight pinned into a boss in the top of the slide. The leaf has a “U” notch sight and the ladder is marked from “50” to “500” in increments of 50 meters.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut. The grips show only a few scattered minor marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Fine-Excellent condition as likely not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 10% of its metal finish. Most of the finish has worn with remaining finish in protected areas such as the rounded portions of the slide forward of the dust cover on each side, inside the trigger guard and around the sights. The worn surfaces show some discoloration from oxidation and there is scattered minor erosion. There are light nicks, scratches and scuffs scattered throughout. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about Good-Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The magazine disconnect functions properly. The slide has little play to the frame. We have not fired this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a wood shoulder-stock and a single 13-round magazine. The right of the stock is marked “SA” in box and “11761”, there is a sling loop on the right, and there are three holes which are for mounting a holster (none included). The stock has some scattered light nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the stock is in about Very Good condition. Please note: as the stock is not serial-matching, it is not legal to install on the pistol without first registering the pistol as a Short Barreled Rifle (SBR). The magazine has faint operational wear with intact feed lips and a strong spring, in about Fine-plus condition. No magazine will be included for buyers who reside where it cannot be legally transferred.
Our Assessment: The Browning High Power pistol is based on a design by American firearms inventor John Browning, and completed by Dieudonné Saive at Fabrique Nationale. Browning died in 1926, several years before the design was finalized. The Hi-Power is one of the most widely utilized military pistols in history, having been used by the armed forces of over 50 countries. The High Power name didn’t refer to the cartridge, but to its 13 round magazine, holding five more than the Luger and six more than the Colt 1911. Its high magazine capacity and ergonomic grip frame have made it a favorite among civilian shooters as a carry pistol and for home defense. The High Power was adopted by the Belgian military and the early pistols were equipped with a tangent rear sight and a grip that was slotted for a wooden stock. Just before Germany invaded Belgium, Finland made a purchase of approximately 2,400 High Power pistols. Most of these would go on to see us in the Winter War, the Continuation War, or both. They apparently were well liked as they remained in Finnish inventories until the mid 1980s when they were surplused. This example has matching serial numbers on the barrel, slide and frame, in about Good-Very Good condition with little finish remaining, but retaining a nice bore and strong mechanics. These pistols are pretty rare with approximately half being lost to the wars. This will make a great addition to a Hi Power or WWII small arms collection. Please see our photos and good luck!
CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable (THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO OUT-OF-STATE RESIDENTS): This C&R Pistol CAN be sold as a dealer sale in California and CAN be transferred as a Private Party Transfer (PPT) as our Simi Valley location. All C&R firearms must be transferred through your local dealer OR at our Simi Valley location; we cannot ship directly to a C&R holder in California. Out of state residents can disregard this section – your local laws apply.
