WWII Nazi FN Browning Hi-Power WaA140 9mm Semi-Automatic Pistol 1943 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2275
LSB#: 210925BD03
Make: Fabrique Nationale, made under Nazi German Occupation
Model: P35 Hi Power WaA140 Fixed Sight Second Sub-Variant
Serial Number: 41994a
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 and slide are marked “41994a”. 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 U-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. There is a sizable compression in the checkering on the right panel. Aside from that, the checkering 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 pitting and the rifling is worn yet defined.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 70% of its current metal finish. There is considerable thinning and some light pitting at the leading edges. The finish has almost completely thinned on the grip straps. There is a harsh machining mark on the edge of the rear safety cut on the left side of the slide. 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 Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. There is no magazine disconnect safety. 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 a brown leather Hi-Power holster which shows honest wear.
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 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!