WWII German Marked A-Block FN Hi-Power 4.7” 9mm Pistol & Mags, 1943 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,213.00
LSB#: LSB260416SS002
Make: FN Herstal, Belgium Under German Occupation
Model: Hi-Power
Serial#: 80524 a
Year of Manufacture: 1943 (A-Block Serial Number) / C&R
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Action Type: Semi-Automatic Pistol, Exposed Hammer Single Action with Detachable Magazine.
Markings: The right side of the slide is marked, “80524 a”, the left side is marked, “FABRIQUE NATIONALE D’ARMES DE GUERRE HERSTAL-BELGIQUE / BROWNING’S PATENT DEPOSE”. The barrel and frame is marked with the serial, “80524 a”. There are various “140” Waffenamt and a Reichsadler on both the frame, barrel, and slide.
Barrel Length: 4.7”
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is serrated barleycorn blade dovetailed to the slide. The rear sight is a U-notch dovetailed to the slide.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: This pistol includes 1 x original 13 round magazine in Fair condition and 2 x aftermarket magazines in Excellent condition.
Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The grips are two piece checkered walnut panels screwed to the frame. There are scratches, pressure dents, and moderate wear marks throughout. The checkering is worn. Overall the grips are in Fair condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is light gray and the rifling is pronounced. There is moderate erosion, pitting and light fouling in the bore. The feed ramp is clean and undamaged. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 6/10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 30% of its metal finish. There is heavy thinning and wear throughout along with small spots of rust. The fitment of parts is very crude from the factory. The slide catch appears to have been replaced. The action has moderate wear. The markings are worn and blurry in several spots. The screw heads are light to moderately tooled and the pins are lightly tooled. Overall this pistol rates in Fair condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this pistol. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards. This pistol sports a thumb print extractor. The magazine disconnect has been removed.
Box Paperwork and Accessories: 3x Magazines, padded hard case.
Our Assessment: The German-occupied FN Hi-Power is one of the most historically significant military pistols of the Second World War. Following the German occupation of Belgium in 1940, production of the Browning Hi-Power continued at the FN factory in Herstal under German supervision. These pistols were accepted into German military service and marked with Waffenamt inspection stamps, making them highly desirable collectibles today. The A-block pistols represent an important phase of wartime production and illustrate the gradual transition from pre-war FN craftsmanship to the increasingly simplified manufacturing methods necessitated by wartime conditions. This example, produced in 1943, retains matching frame, slide, and barrel serial numbers and displays the expected Waffenamt 140 acceptance marks throughout. The pistol retains approximately 30% of its original finish with substantial thinning, wear, scattered oxidation, and handling marks visible throughout. The original walnut grips exhibit significant wear but remain intact. The bore remains serviceable with pronounced rifling despite moderate erosion and pitting, supporting its 6 out of 10 rating. Of note, the slide stop appears to be a replacement and the magazine disconnect has been removed, modifications that collectors should consider when evaluating originality.
Altogether, this A-block German-occupation Hi-Power represents an authentic wartime military sidearm produced during one of the most important periods in FN’s history. The matching numbered major components, Waffenamt markings, thumbprint extractor, and documented German military acceptance provide substantial historical and collector appeal. While condition issues and modifications are present, the pistol remains a desirable and increasingly collectible example of one of the most influential military handguns of the 20th century. -R.E.