Browning Hi-Power C-Series 9mm 4.7” Semi Auto Pistol Tangent Sight, 1974
SOLD FOR: $1,875.00
LSB#: WY250319DS027
Make: FN/Browning
Model: Hi-Power C-Series
Serial#: 74C2030
Year of Manufacture: 1974 C&R
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Action Type: Semi-Automatic Pistol, Exposed Hammer Single Action with Detachable Magazine.
Markings: The slide is marked, “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY MORGAN,UTAH & MONTREAL, P.Q. / MADE IN BELGIUM”. The serial number is marked on the front strap, barrel and slide. The barrel is marked, “CAL.9mm Luger”. There are small belgian proofs throughout.
Barrel Length: 4.7”
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a blade fixed to the slide. The rear sight is sliding tangent V-notch fixed to the slide marked out to 500.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: This pistol includes 1 x 13 round magazine in Excellent Condition.
Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The grips are two piece, checkered plastic grips screwed to the frame. There is light handling wear. The checkering is very sharp, there are no chips or cracks. Overall the grips are in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Polished Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright, the rifling is sharp. There is no visible erosion in the bore. The feed ramp is smooth and shiny. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9.5/10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 99% of its metal finish. There are faint handling marks throughout. The screw heads are sharp, the markings are clear. Overall the pistol is in Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The slide action is smooth. The trigger is crisp. We did not fire this pistol. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box Paperwork and Accessories: This pistol includes one 13 round magazine, Browning soft case.
Our Assessment: The Browning Hi-Power is one of the most iconic and influential semi-automatic pistols ever designed, the culmination of John Browning’s final work and completed by FN’s Dieudonné Saive. Built in Belgium, this 1974 C-Series Hi-Power represents a classic example of Browning’s postwar production, with refined lines, a polished blue finish, and the reliable single-action design that made the Hi-Power a favorite for military and civilian use worldwide. This particular model features the less commonly seen sliding tangent rear sight, graduated out to 500 meters, reflecting its military-inspired origins. This example is in exceptional condition, retaining about 99% of its original polished blue finish. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no visible erosion, rating a near-perfect 9.5 out of 10. The two-piece checkered plastic grips are also in excellent shape, showing minimal handling wear with crisp texture and no damage. Mechanically, the action is smooth and crisp, with a clean trigger break and tight slide fit. Included with the pistol are a 13-round magazine in excellent condition and a Browning-branded soft case for storage and transport.
For collectors of classic 20th-century handguns or enthusiasts seeking a prime example of Belgian craftsmanship, this 1974 Browning Hi-Power offers outstanding appeal. Its high condition, desirable tangent rear sight, and C&R eligibility make it a particularly attractive piece, whether for addition to a serious collection, careful range use, or simple appreciation of one of the world’s truly great service pistols. -R.E.
