WWII NSDAP FN Browning WaA140 P35 Hi-Power 9mm Semi-Auto Pistol, 1944 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2725.01
LSB#: 221122MM001
Make: Fabrique Nationale under German Occupation
Model: P35 Hi Power WaA140 Fixed Sight Third Sub-Variant
Serial Number: 32671b
Year of Manufacture: 1944 (Page 330 of “FN Browning Pistols” by A. Vanderlinden)
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 an Eagle holding a globe with swastika (test proof) and an “Eagle / WaA140” Waffenamt military acceptance stamp. The right side of the slide is marked “32671b”. The right side of the frame is marked “671b”. The right of the chamber is marked with a German army acceptance stamp and “203416”. The left trigger guard bow and bottom of the chamber are marked “MR”. The front of the slide under the muzzle has “WaA140”. The left side of the barrel above the lug is marked with two “WaA140” Waffenamts. The bottom of the slide, sides of the grip frame, and the butt behind the magazine well have a series of factory inspection marks.
Barrel Length: 4 5/8”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a rounded blade fixed to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a square notch dovetailed to the rear of the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered brown Bakelite panels. The panels show little nicks and scratches on the smooth borders around the checkering. There is a faint crack at the top rear of the left panel. There is a small chip at the top rear corner of the right panel. The checkering is generally sharp. Overall, the grips are in about Good condition and would rate higher if not for the chip and crack.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-dim with scattered light erosion and the rifling is well defined. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 7/10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 78% of its metal finish. The finish is generally crude and is characteristic of late war finish. There is thinning at all leading edges. There is also some oxidation intermittently scattered along the leading edges as well. The front and back strap show finish loss. There are some scattered nicks and minor scratches throughout the metal. There is a small area of pitting on the top of the slide at the rear. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots and the slide serrations are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about Good-Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger is crisp. The slide has slight 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 one 13-round magazine. Please note, no magazine will be included where prohibited by law.
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 Hi 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 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. When Germany invaded Belgium, they took over the FN plant and continued making the High Power, but soon dropped the grooved grip after stocks of pre-invasion parts were used-up. Guns made with tangent sights included WaA613, WaA103 and WaA140 inspection marks before the tangent sights were replaced with fixed sights to help increase production. This is a late war pistol, made in 1944, in the WaA140 inspection mark range after the tangent sights had been dropped in favor of fixed sights. The harsh blue finish is also a characteristic of late war production. According to Anthony Vanderlinden in his book “FN Browning Pistols”, sabotage performed by the workers in the FN factory increased proportionally with the portion which was forced labor. This was most prevalent in the WaA140 inspection range and some pistols are not safe to fire due to having poor heat treat or being out of tolerance standards. Please see our photos and good luck!
