WWII FN Browning Nazi Hi-Power WaA140 9×19 Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1943 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1278
LSB#: 210614RZ15
Make: Fabrique Nationale, made under Nazi German Occupation
Model: P35 Hi Power WaA140 Fixed Sight Second Sub-Variant
Serial Number: 47164a
Year of Manufacture: May 1943 – December 1943 (Page 329 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 frame, slide, and chamber are marked “47164a”. The left front of the trigger guard and bottom of the chamber are marked “MR”. The front of the slide under the muzzle has “WaA140”. The left side of the chamber 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 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 wood panels. There are nicks and minor compressions on the smooth borders. The checkering has moderate wear along the edges but is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. There is discoloration on both panels from age and handling. Overall, the grips are in about Good-Plus condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is dim with scattered erosion and the rifling is worn yet defined.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 10% of its current metal finish. The only remaining finish is in protected areas. There are some areas of minor pitting with the most notable being on the mag release pin and dust cover. There are dings and scratches throughout the metal. The action shows standard operational wear. The screw heads are lightly tool-marked with strong slots. The markings are generally clear, some are shallow with soft edges. Overall, this pistol is in about Fair-Plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The magazine disconnect safety has been removed. The trigger is a bit heavy with a small amount of creep. The slide has some 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 and Hi-Power Pistol booklet .
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 between May and December 1943 in the WaA140 inspection mark range after the tangent sights had been dropped in favor of fixed sights. The pistol has matching serial numbers on the barrel, slide, and frame. 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!