Don Williams Action Works Custom FN Browning Hi Power 9mm Semi-Auto Pistol
SOLD FOR: $3325
LSB#: 230720JK001
Make: Browning; Made by FN in Belgium and Assembled in Portugal
Model: Don Williams Custom Hi Power
Serial Number: 245PV50548
Year of Manufacture: 1985 (https://www.browning.com/support/date-your-firearm/hi-power-pistol.html), Customized in 2009
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY MORGAN, UTAH & MONTREAL P.Q.”. The right side of the slide is marked “MADE IN BELGIUM / BY FABRIQUE NATIONALE HERSTAL”. The barrel is marked “9X19” and “KMM PRECISION”. The front strap is marked “245PV50548”. The right bow of the trigger guard and the bottom of the firing pin housing are marked with a Belgian proof mark and “* / T” inspection mark.
The included original barrel is marked “CAL.9m/mP” and has a Belgian proof on the chamber; the right side of the lug is marked with an inspection mark and the left side is marked “5” in a diamond.
Barrel Length: Both barrels are 4 5/8”. Installed is an aftermarket KKM Precision barrel.
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Trijicon blade with a tritium lamp dovetailed to the slide. The rear sight is a Heinie square notch with a serrated rear face and tritium lamp and that is dovetailed to the slide. The lamps produce a dim glow in low light environments.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The custom VZ grips are black molded G10 synthetic panels with serrations. The grips show some minor handling wear. There are no chips or cracks and the serrations are sharp. Overall, the grips rate in about Excellent condition.
Also included are the original checkered wood grips. The panels show hardly any wear and have sharp checkering. There are no chips or cracks. The original wood grips rate in about Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Hard Chrome
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: Both bores are bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in either bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bores rates 10/10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 98% of its metal finish. There are a few individual tiny pits under the finish on the left side of the frame and slide. The action has minor operational wear. The screw heads are sharp and the pins are clean. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about Fine-Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger is crisp. The magazine disconnect has been deactivated. There is no perceptible play between the slide and 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 10-round magazine, an invoice description of the custom work done from The Action Works, the original barrel, and the original grips.
Our Assessment: The Browning Hi-Power is a single-action, semi-automatic handgun available in the 9mm and .40 S&W calibers. It was based on a design by American firearms inventor John Browning, and completed by Dieudonné Saive at Fabrique Nationale (FN) of Herstal, Belgium. Browning died in 1926, several years before the design was finalized. FN Herstal initially named the design the “High Power”, which alludes to the 13-round magazine capacity, almost twice that of other designs at the time, such as the Luger or Colt M1911.
This example is particularly special having been customized by Don Williams at The Action Works in 2009. They offer three different customization packages for Hi-Powers: Basic Street package, Tactical Package, and The Whole 9 Yards. Notable improvements include the C&S sear, Hard Chrome finish, grip strap stippling, and crowned KKM Precision barrel, among many others. This is a beautiful pistol with about 98% of its original finish in about Fine-Excellent condition. The bore is bright and the trigger is light and crisp. It comes with a 10-round magazine as well as the original grips and barrel. Please see our photos and good luck!
-Greenfield
