WWII Nazi Marked FN P35 M1935 Hi Power Tangent Sight 9mm Semi-Auto C&R
SOLD FOR: $2750
LSB#: 210127EM07
Make: Fabrique Nationale, made under Nazi German Occupation
Model: P35 Hi Power WaA613 Tangent Sight Variant
Serial Number: 56909
Year of Manufacture: 1940-1941 (Page 326 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 two “Eagle / WaA613” Waffenamt military acceptance stamps. The right side of the slide, barrel, and frame are marked “56909”, the chamber also has an Eagle holding a globe with swastika (test proof). The left front of the trigger guard is marked with a small box. The front of the slide under the muzzle has an “Eagle / WaA613” Waffenamt. The left side of the barrel above the lug is marked with two “Eagle / Wa613” Waffenamts. The bottom of the slide, chamber, barrel lug and the butt behind the magazine well have a series of inspection marks.
Barrel Length: 4 5/8”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated inverted “V” blade dovetailed into a base fixed to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a “V”-notch tangent sight marked 50-500 in increments of 50 and is attached to the rear of the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut panels. There is heavy rub wear and the raised borders are worn away on the left panel and partially on the right panel. There are some dings, compressions, and nicks, most noticeable on the right panel. There are a few light scratches that have colored with age. The checkering has rub wear and some around the edges has worn away but the majority is visible. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with sharp rifling where not interrupted by erosion. There is scattered erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 85% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There are some scattered spots of oxidation and little scabs on the metal. There are some spots of light pinprick erosion, most noticeable on the left of the slide towards the front where corners are formed. There are some ligth scratches, most noticeable on the left of the dust cover and on the left of the frame just in front of the safety. The screw heads are tool marked with likely serviceable slots. The markings range from clear to poorly struck. Overall, this pistol is in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger is crisp. 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 single 13-round magazine. The magazine has some scattered oxidation, a few scabs, and some operational thinning. The magazine rates in about Very Good condition. Please note, no magazine will be included for purchasers 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 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 pistol was made in 1940-1941 in the Wa613 inspection mark range and has tangent sights. The pistol has matching serial numbers on the barrel, slide, and frame. The inspection marks and proofs are proper for this configuration and serial range. The pistol is in about Very Good condition with about 85% of its finish remaining. This will make a nice addition to a Hi Power or WWII small arms collection. If you want to fire this pistol, be sure to have it inspected by a qualified gunsmith. 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!