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Need info on a Browning 9mm

txrob779
I found a vintage Browning 9mm in my grandmothers home, it was my granpa's. Here is the info I have,

Browning Patent Despose
Fabrique Nationale D'Arms De Guerre Herstal Beligue

Browning 9mm

Serial # 15294

Have the holster and 1 extra clip, appears to be very old.

Any help will do on dates and value.

Robert
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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • rufe-snow
    From your description it's difficult to ascertain about which Browning model you have.

    Here are links to the ( 2 ) most likely Brownings. They come from Pancho's excellent web-site. Click on the links to open them.


    http://www.panchogun.com/FVWebPhotos/FV-FN-1922-Nazi-WaA140-MatchingMag-5x100px.jpg


    http://www.panchogun.com/FV-FN-HP35-Belgium-w-Stock-Page.html
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  • mark christian
    I'm not sure Snowman but do you think that the legend 9mm Browning actually means the 9mm Browning Long cartridge and that txrob could be looking at an FN Model 1903?

    "Nothing can ever be made 'idiot proof' because idiots are simply too clever"!
    Mark T. Christian
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  • rufe-snow
    quote:Originally posted by mark christian
    I'm not sure Snowman but do you think that the legend 9mm Browning actually means the 9mm Browning Long cartridge and that txrob could be looking at an FN Model 1903?

    "Nothing can ever be made 'idiot proof' because idiots are simply too clever"!
    Mark T. Christian




    Good point Mark! Here is a link to a picture of a 1903.


    http://www.shootingtips.com/NewFiles/article/Pistols & Revolvers in the Conflict/PRC3 Bropwning M1903/FN-M1903-L.jpg
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  • txrob779
    It's definatley NOT a 1903. It is I am told, a military FN Browning 9mm made in Belgium's Herstal plant. I have the original holster too that folds all the way over and clips closed ( the German ones fold half over). I have both original magazines as well. From the info I have, some 9mm's were made by the Germans after they occupied Belgium in 1940, and have some diffeent markings on them ,ie the eagle. Some have a slot in the back of the handlegrip to mount a stock, not sure if I have this feature or not but based on the sight and other things I saw in the pic, it must. I think it is in an 8 condition out of a 1-10 thing. I have found 7 guns total stashed all over the house thus far.

    a Model 1897 Winchester 12 guage pump circa 1907
    a Savage .303 circa 1921 (mint)
    a 1955 single shot Sears 20 gauge
    a 9mm 5 shot Ruger ( no clue how old, nickel plated I think)
    an 8 shot 22 pistol ( 20's or 30's)
    a late 60's 22 long rifle
    and the Browning 9mm
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  • txrob779
    It's definatley NOT a 1903. It is I am told, a military FN Browning 9mm made in Belgium's Herstal plant. I have the original holster too that folds all the way over and clips closed ( the German ones fold half over). I have both original magazines as well. From the info I have, some 9mm's were made by the Germans after they occupied Belgium in 1940, and have some diffeent markings on them ,ie the eagle. Some have a slot in the back of the handlegrip to mount a stock, mine does not have this feature, but other wize it is in an 8 condition out of a 1-10 thing. I have found 7 guns total stashed all over the house thus far.

    a Model 1897 Winchester 12 guage pump circa 1907
    a Savage .303 circa 1921 (mint)
    a 1955 single shot Sears 20 gauge
    a 9mm 5 shot Ruger ( no clue how old, nickel plated I think)
    an 8 shot 22 pistol ( 20's or 30's)
    a late 60's 22 long rifle
    and the Browning 9mm
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  • txrob779
    The that shows the Browning HP35 is the gun I have exactly, holster and all, but the white lettering on the barrel has either worn off or never was there. It's just blue steel, but the saftey and magazine release are all exact.

    Thanks a millon.

    Any Idea on value
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  • rufe-snow
    quote:Originally posted by txrob779
    The that shows the Browning HP35 is the gun I have exactly, holster and all, but the white lettering on the barrel has either worn off or never was there. It's just blue steel, but the saftey and magazine release are all exact.

    Thanks a millon.

    Any Idea on value



    It would be best if you could post some quality pictures of your Hi-Power.

    The white markings on Pancho's pistols aren't factory it's a product called "Lacquer Stick" that is used by collectors to enhance the markings for photographic purposes.

    Does your pistol have a adjustable rear sight similar to the one on Pancho's Hi-Power?

    How specifically do the markings on your pistol differ from those on Pancho's pistol?

    luger_4.jpg
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  • MarcelloB
    Hi from Belgium

    Dunno wether that could be of any help, but all nice condition HP 35 you can find here always go between $ 1,000 and $ 1,200. Nazi eagle on them does not increase the value, except for collectors who want that specific marking (not rare). Only the very scarce specimens bearing a huge nazi-eagle and svastika on the left side of the slide are high priced.
    Factory engraved models can reach very high prices if in mint condition. By "factory engravings" I mean the few engraving patterns officially used by the FN. Some have been engraved later by retired engravers, but with one of the official FN designs.
    Custom engravings or alterations of any kind cause the value to decrease here - most European collectors don't like that.
    If by firing the gun you find out that it tends to shoot too high, it means it has seen intensive use. The projection at the rear bottom of the barrel is worn by friction, which causes the barrel to rise its mouth before the bullet has left it. Cheapiest remedy to that is a new barrel.

    MarcelloB
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  • txrob779
    Thank you for your info MarcelloB. I was told the holsters the Germans produced have the flap only folding over 1/2 way. My holster folds 1/2 over not all the way to the end of the barrell, so maybe I have a German made one. Also my 9mm FN does have the slot cut for the stock, so it IS a HP35, it apears in terrific condition with some holster wear , but other wize near perfect with my limited knowledge. I'll try and take and post some pics soon. IF it is worth $1000 I would entertain offers.

    Rob
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  • MarcelloB
    quote:Originally posted by txrob779
    Thank you for your info MarcelloB. I was told the holsters the Germans produced have the flap only folding over 1/2 way. My holster folds 1/2 over not all the way to the end of the barrell, so maybe I have a German made one. Also my 9mm FN does have the slot cut for the stock, so it IS a HP35, it apears in terrific condition with some holster wear , but other wize near perfect with my limited knowledge. I'll try and take and post some pics soon. IF it is worth $1000 I would entertain offers.

    Rob


    You may be right about the holster, that's something I am not familiar with. During the nazi occupation, the FN had resumed production under German control and of course the weapons were destined to the meanies and their allies. So I assume that all accessories, including holsters, were of the usual Belgian pattern, but I could be wrong on that point. Allow me a few days to look after pictures of Belgian soldiers before and after the war, so we can find out.
    Anyway, the one that folds all the way to the end of the barrel is the new one, as it is still in use in our police today. It is designed for "fast drawing": when you release the pressure button and pull down, the holster comes lower on your belt and the flap jumps open, allowing your hand to grab the gun faster in the return move.
    Theory is a nice thing. I think a Slim Jim holster would be more reliable.
    Your gun is a HP 35 - we call it a "GP 35" (Grande Puissance 1935) Grande Puissance is French for High Power. Probably the best Browning based automatic pistol ever made by the FN until the one they issued
    a few months ago, the 5.7 cop killer. I saw on TV that the 5.7 is free in the US. You guys love to live dangerously.
    The value of $ 1,000 is what a nice condition HP 35 is worth here. I have no idea of the value on the US market.
    In Belgium we need a license for the HP 35.

    MarcelloB
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