Browning 9mm High Power

[Matty.P]

Hey everyone. Im new to CGN, and this is my first post. In my inheritance from my Grandfather, I am to receive all of his military-related item from his time in the service. This includes his service pistol, a date stamped 1942 Browning 9mm. According to my Grandad, it was never fired in battle, and by the looks of it, it is in excellent condition. He has kept it clean and unfired for 60 years now. The points of this post are two-fold: Any ideas on how much it is worth? I want to know for insurance purposes. Second, any opinions on whether or not I should fire the weapon or keep it in mint condition? Thanks a bunch.

Matty

 

[Claven2]

Matty,

They were ALL fired at the factory Keep it in nice shape, but the odd mag here and there won't much affect value if you're careful

Are you Ukranian? (your avatar).

 

[stencollector]

a date stamped 1942 Browning 9mm.

If it's a Cdn Browning, it will be a 44 or a 45. What other markings are on the pistol?

 

[Claven2]

I don' think it's Canadian. If it has Browning stamped on it, it's an American or Belgian market pistol IMHO.

 

[woodchopper]

Nice find, an excellent pistol to have.

Post pictures of the markings, there are lots of experts who actually know their stuff (see post above )

 

[Matty.P]

Well, I finally got the truth out of my Grandpa. The pistol is stamped FN Herstal and it is 9mm Para. I did some looking around to corroborate his story; when the Germans surrendered, he disarmed a German officer who was carrying the pistol. Since it is a Canadian issue, I was a bit perplexed by this but a little research showed that Browning hi-powers were used by both Canadian and Germans during WW2. Ill get some pics posted.

PS - Yes, I am Ukrainian.

 

[Stevo]

Well, I finally got the truth out of my Grandpa. The pistol is stamped FN Herstal and it is 9mm Para. I did some looking around to corroborate his story; when the Germans surrendered, he disarmed a German officer who was carrying the pistol. Since it is a Canadian issue, I was a bit perplexed by this but a little research showed that Browning hi-powers were used by both Canadian and Germans during WW2. Ill get some pics posted.

PS - Yes, I am Ukrainian.

Very cool Matty. I'm looking forward to the pics. Try and get closeups of the WaA markings, if you can.

 

[woodchopper]

I sort of had a sneaking suspicion that it might have been a captured hi-power


now isn't research fun


Pictures please

(more gun ####)

 

[Morgayne]

Sorry, I just have to add here that the chick in the book I'm reading carries one of these around with her in case the ZOMBIES get out of control. hahaha no joke!

 

[spi]

Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter.

Which one are you reading?

 

[Morgayne]

Wow!!! I'm REALLY impressed!
I'm only on The Laughing Corpse but I've been popping through them about a book every 3 days or so.. I already have the next 2 lined up lol

 

[Morgayne]

Wait, correction. She carries the Browning but apparently fire is the only thing that kills zombies. Guess I should've read a bit further

 

[spi]

Morgayne,
I PM'd you my response to this so we aren't hijacking this guy's thread any further

 

[Claven2]

Cool. My wife gre up in the Ukraine

Sounds like a nazi capture Hi-Power. Cool find - got any WaA's on it?

 

[sunray]

FN made HP's used by the German's(mostly issued to the SS.) in W.W. II will have the 'eagle over a swastika' acceptance stamp all over it. The standard rumour is that lots of them were sabotaged by the FN factory workers.
Canadian made Inglis HP's will have the word 'Inglis, Canada' stamped on the left side of the slide.
It's certainly possible for a German to have an Inglis made HP in his possession though. They were primarily issued to Canadian and Brit paratroops.