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FN Hi Power with Buenos Aires Markings

jrip
I am purchasing a FN Hi Power, in what can be only considered "Fair" condition. It has blueing wear and scratches, and light rust, but no serious pitting (most of the rust and very light pitting should be able to be removed). Some original finish is remaining, and the grips show considerable wear. It is marked FN Herstal (excuse my spelling, as I am doing this from memory). It has Buenos Aires Police Markings on the side, and a crest of some kind on the top. It is with a FN Herstal box, and a paper that was originally sold with the gun, stating it is used, and giving some brief information/history about the gun. Altough it shows extensive handling/carrying, it does not appear to have been shot a lot(typical police gun). It does not have the magazine disconnect, and has what would appear to be a low serial number (low 500s).

I have always wanted a Hi Power, and was wondering if this one is worth purchasing.

Is there any collector value?

Is it worth while as a shooter?

Any information would be appreciated.
Joel
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Comments

4 comments

Date Votes
  • mark christian
    I'm over 1,000 miles away from any of my reference materials so my information is no where near complete. In the condition that you describe this pistol it really has no interest to serious collectors. The police markings make it an interesting variation but some years back there were large numbers of Austrian police pistols imported, mostly in excellent condition (I have one) with the same box and materials which you describe. The low serial number really means little or nothing. As a private concern FN was always eager to provide its customers with whatever was requested and most contract pistol serial numbers started at #1 and worked their way up until the order was completed. When the next contract came along the serial numbers started right back at #1 again so there are plenty of HiPower pistols with low serial numbers. I happen to like HiPowers very much and consider any variation a worth while purchase...for the right price. They are all good shooters, but your police variation will no doubt have the standard narrow U notch rear sight which I personally dislike with a passion. The Argintine firm of FM has been producing a licensed copy of the HiPower since around 1965 so I am curious as to whether or not your FN variation has the internal or external extractor. It no doubt has the ring type hammer.

    Mark T. Christian
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  • Der Gebirgsjager
    Hi, Joel--can't add too much to Mr. Christian's post (as usual![:D]), but you did catch the difference there between "FN" and "FM"? FM is the Argentine home-grown arsenal, and FN (as you observed) is Belgian. The Argies have pretty much used the arms designs of other countries since they became an independent nation, and this is an example. They started off buying them from FN, and when it became their official pistol they began producing them at home. You can, in fact, buy a brand new FN or FM High Power if you look around; and Southern Ohio Gun Distributors have an arsenal re-worked model for sale advertised as "Excellent" for about $350. Most Argentine pistols have some sort of marking, be it military or police, and as Mark noted, there are so many of them knocking about that the markings add little value. Kind of like a U.S. G.I. .45 Auto stamped, "United States Property". One more of millions. Such things as markings and low serial numbers do enhance value in collector-quality guns (98% or better original condition) but do little for a gun stated to be in "Fair" condition (unless there are only a very few surviving specimens). As to whether or not this is worth buying, it depends mostly on what your expectations for the pistol and your investment are. It sounds like a great "shooter" (especially if it has a good bore--you don't want to have to replace the barrel)and an interesting conversation piece. These are still in use by some of the world's militaries and police forces, so you can also consider it to still be a pretty valid weapon for self-defense. Will it appreciate in value if left as is? Probably a little, but not much. If you have it carefully refinished so that it looks like new and makes you feel good when you handle it, will you be destroying a valuable artifact of history? No. Does the end cost of the initial purchase price + any improvements you might wish/need to make (barrel, bluing, grips)balance out against buying one in much better condition to begin with? Your call.
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  • jrip
    Thanks for the information. It is what I sort of expected to hear. The asking price is $275, out the door, and I have a good friend who is a gunsmith, and refinishing usually costs me nothing, if I do the work myself.
    I what a shooter, and do not want to spend a lot on it (my USPSA shooting, and the associated guns, eat up most of my gun budget.)

    Does this seem a reasonable price?

    Are there any issues with durability over a new gun?

    Thanks
    Joel
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  • Der Gebirgsjager
    Well, then, everything considered, (1)Yes (2)No.
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