So I'm beginning to wonder if I didn't luck into a true hipower as opposed to an FEG clone.
It has a "b" serial number on the right hand side. Nothing to state it was manufactured by FEG at all.
I will try and get and upload some pictures tonight.
I'm happy with the gun either way but if I somehow got a true hi power I think I should probably start buying lotto tickets.
FN has used a "B" and also "b" letter prefix on High Powers.
Does your gun have the "thumb cutout" dished area on the right side of the slide? Does your High Power have the extractor in the tunnel of the slide similar to a 1911?
There are several ways of telling if a "High Power" was built by FEG, as FEG made several improvements over FN.
(Edited to add, I just google whacked "FEG High Power" and looked at 100 pics, the frame is not reinforced on all of them, but the muzzle bushing is extended in all of the pics where you can see it)
1. The slide bushing is extended to protect the muzzle of the barrel.
2. the bottom of the frame is extended into a radius flare at the bottom front of the frame. FN High powers are often VERY thin at the front corners of the magazine well, I've seen several which were blade sharp, and at least 1 which was cutting into the frame.
3. the slide lock cut-out in the slide is reduced in size.
A fourth difference is only noticeable if you change the safety lever. The FEG safety lever hole is undersize and needs to be reamed to fit an FN/Inglis manufactured safety.
I've owned FN, Inglis and FEG High Powers, and would rate a 1980s FEG on par with a "T" series FN manufactured HP. To the point that I sold my "T" series FN and kept my VV FEG (barrel dated 1988).
In the '80s and '90s they were marketed by Mauser as the "Parabellum" pistol.
