Nickel Browning Belgium FN Hi-Power 9mm 4.7” Semi-Auto Pistol MFD 1980
SOLD FOR: $1,130.00
LSB#: LSB250525MC023
Make: Browning Belgium FN
Model: Hi-Power
Serial#: 245PM06862
Year of Manufacture: 1980
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Action Type: Semi-Automatic Pistol, Exposed Hammer, Single Action, fed by detachable magazines.
Markings: The front strap of the frame is marked “245PM06862” The Chamber is marked “CAL. 9 m/m / 245PM06862”. The left side of the slide is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY ST LOUIS Mo. & MONTREAL P.Q.” The right side is marked, “MADE IN BELGIUM BY FABRIQUE NATIONALE HERSTAL”. The right side of the trigger guard is stamped with Belgian proofs
Barrel Length: 4.7”
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a ramped blade with an orange stripe fixed to the slide. The rear sight is a white outline fully adjustable square notch dovetailed to the back of the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The grips are two piece checkered Pachmayer panels screwed to the frame with a backstrap cover. There is moderate wear and rub marks throughout. There are no rips or tears. The checkering is moderately worn in spots. Overall, the grips are in Excellent condition.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: Two 13 Round Magazines one in Excellent condition and two in Good Condition.
Type of Finish: Nickel
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no visible erosion in the bore but there is stubborn fouling throughout. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: The pistol retains about 97% of its refinished metal finish. The balance of the finish shows some minor surface scratches and marks. The markings are clear. The screwheads are sharp and serviceable. Overall, this Hi Power pistol is in Very Good Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards. The magazine disconnect has been removed.
Box Paperwork and Accessories: 2x Magazines, leather DeSantis shoulder holster.
Our Assessment: The Browning Hi-Power is one of the most influential and enduring handgun designs of the 20th century, created by John Browning and finalized by Dieudonné Saive at FN in Belgium. Adopted by militaries and police forces worldwide, it set the standard for high-capacity 9mm service pistols with its double-stack 13-round magazine and robust single-action design. By 1980, the Hi-Power had already seen decades of global service, and commercial examples like this one combined the proven design with refinements for civilian and law enforcement users. The nickel finish on this example adds a striking and durable exterior, making it as visually appealing as it is functional. This pistol remains in very strong condition with about 97% of its nickel finish intact, showing only light handling marks and surface scratches. The bore is excellent, bright with sharp rifling, rating 9/10 in this writer’s opinion, though it does show some stubborn fouling. The grips are aftermarket Pachmayr checkered panels with a backstrap cover, offering enhanced control despite showing some moderate wear. Mechanically, the pistol is sound and functions properly, with the magazine disconnect removed, a modification often preferred by shooters for a cleaner trigger pull. It comes with two 13-round magazines and a leather DeSantis shoulder holster, making it a complete package for carry or collection.
For collectors, this 1980 FN Hi-Power is an appealing example of one of the most iconic 9mm pistols ever made. Its Belgian manufacture, attractive nickel finish, and high level of preservation place it above the average surplus or service-worn example. For shooters, the excellent bore, solid mechanics, and practical accessories make it a ready-to-go sidearm that combines classic styling with proven performance. Whether valued as a collectible Browning, a shooter-grade pistol, or a centerpiece in a lineup of Cold War-era sidearms, this Hi-Power is a desirable and historically significant firearm. -R.E.
