Hipower, info sourced.

jonh172 said:
You're absolutely right!, I did save it!!!
I called the fella I bought it from, he said he had it in for a re-blue, so he tore it down, but then the fella who owned the gun passed away, so it just sat in his shop for a few years until I poked in!!

I found out its a Finnish contract 1939 built pistol, all correct and original, I got the answers from a very helpful fella at 1911forum.com, Hipowertalk.com is apparently self destructing and no one with any knowledge is left.

I can't believe this piece of history was slotted for a re-blue, aside from the few blemishes its in great shape! I think the blemishes give it character given its a 75 year old pistol!!
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Great catch and glad you got some good info.
Be nice to the old girl, not many around esp. in that condition (read; worth some$$)
 
WOW! That looks like hammer bite just waiting to happen.

Nice build by the way. Every one needs one HP in the herd.

M
 
I can remember seeing similar long range sighted High Powers on Canadian destroyers escorts in the early 60's.

The John Inglis made ones.
 
Anyone care to comment on the barrel serial number? To me it looks like a different script compared to the frame and slide. Hope I am wrong but it doesnt look like the barrel is original.
 
The "Belgian Browning Pistols" book by Anthony Vanderlinden has a chapter about Finish High Power Brownings. Yours definitely falls in the correct serial number range but without "SA" markings. It is definitely a Finish pre-war contract pistol and a very nice one as well, congrats on a great find that would have been a worthless shooter if reblued.
 
Light Infantry said:
Anyone care to comment on the barrel serial number? To me it looks like a different script compared to the frame and slide. Hope I am wrong but it doesnt look like the barrel is original.
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Horilka said:
I also noticed that and would like to hear comments of knowledgeable members. Font is not original.
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In response to the serials not looking original on the barrel itself, I got some info from a very knowledgeable individual over at 1911forum. He has helped me not just identify the pistol, but also was able to decipher every stamp on it.
I asked him about the barrel numbers and this was his reply.
Hope this clears it up for everyone.

"As noted earlier, "parts appear correct at a glance." And while SNs were normally roll stamped, and the SN of that barrel is obviously individually stamped, it appears to be correctly proofed as other Finnish Contract P35s: "Cal 9 M/M P under 3 stamps consisting of 1. At the front; the Belgian Lion State Symbol over a short line over P.V. (Poudre Vive). 2. In the middle, a star over a letter...which is very hard to make out but appears the same as which is on the slide/frame "N". This is the Controller (Final Assembly Inspector) Mark of Henri Florkin ('27-'58)....a major inspector of Finnish Contract P35s. 3. The Crowned Oval E.L.G. (Epreuve de Liege) Proof of Liege Final Proof. The SN could have been stamped @ the factory...unusual but not unheard of or a period correct replacement barrel included in the contract support package...either way, the barrel is "correct" to that particular pistol. If the Controller Mark is "N" it could be either option. If different...but still within the Finnish Contract period, it's be a correct factory replacement barrel."

I will confirm the controller mark to establish the exact option he is looking for, but until then, she is either way original! :dancingbanana:
 
15567 said:
The "Belgian Browning Pistols" book by Anthony Vanderlinden has a chapter about Finish High Power Brownings. Yours definitely falls in the correct serial number range but without "SA" markings. It is definitely a Finish pre-war contract pistol and a very nice one as well, congrats on a great find that would have been a worthless shooter if reblued.
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It does have the SA stamp on the dust cover, left side.
 
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