The Browning Hi-Power (officially the Pistolet Automatique Browning FN Modèle à Grande Puissance, or P-35) was designed by John Moses Browning and completed after his death by FN's Dieudonné Saive. The pistol operates on a short recoil, locked breech system utilizing a cam actuated locking mechanism in which a shaped cam beneath the barrel draws the breech end downward out of engagement with the slide during recoil. The Hi-Power was the first successful high capacity military sidearm, using a 13-round double stack, single feed magazine in 9mm Parabellum. Following the German occupation of Belgium in May 1940, the Fabrique Nationale factory in Herstal was placed under German military administration and Hi-Power production continued for Wehrmacht issue under the designation Pistole 640(b). German produced FN Hi-Powers were subject to Waffenamt inspection and acceptance procedures, with inspectors applying acceptance stamps to major components. The earliest occupation pistols bore WaA613 acceptance stamps, which were replaced by WaA103 as the inspector code changed, followed by the transition to WaA140 in late 1941 to early 1942. The WaA140 stamp is the Waffenamt code assigned to the FN Herstal facility for the remainder of the occupation period. Production during the occupation years saw progressive simplification of manufacturing processes as the war continued, with later wartime pistols exhibiting rougher machining and the elimination of certain features. Early occupation pistols featured a tangent rear sight graduated to 500 meters and a slotted backstrap for attachment of a wooden shoulder stock, both carried over from pre-war commercial and military production. The Variation 2 configuration, produced from approximately 1941 into 1942, deleted the stock slot from the backstrap while still incorporating the tangent rear sight, representing the first step in the wartime simplification process. Later Variation 3 pistols eliminated the tangent sight entirely in favor of a fixed rear notch.

This example bears the serial number 126902, matching on the frame, slide, and barrel. Based on its serial range and WaA140 acceptance stamps, the pistol was manufactured in 1942. It is configured as a Variation 2 with a tangent rear sight paired with a blade front sight and a solid backstrap without a stock slot. The pistol is finished in blue throughout and is fitted with checkered wood grips. Accompanied by two 13-round magazines and a leather holster. The first magazine is marked with a WaA140 Waffenamt stamp and a "C" inside a circle. The second magazine bears a "9" marking as its only clearly visible stamp. The leather holster is marked "DLA 42" and bears an Eagle over "WaA195" inspection stamp, consistent with production by Karl Barth of Leipzig in 1942. A coiled leather lanyard loop accompanies the holster, though it has frayed and torn.

Markings

The pistol bears multiple WaA140 Waffenamt acceptance stamps: on the left side of the barrel, on the front of the slide, on the left side of the frame above the trigger guard, and on the left side of the slide above the slide stop. Additional German military eagle proof marks are present on the barrel hood, the left side of the frame above the trigger guard, and the left side of the slide above the slide stop. The left side of the trigger guard is marked with "MR", as is the underside of the rear sight, along with an "X". The back side of the holster appears to be carved with a name and number.

Condition

This example retains a significant amount of its original glossy bluing, though dull at the front and backstrap, with some holster wear towards the muzzle. The bore is in excellent condition, displaying strong rifling with a slight sheen.

Specifications

• Manufacturer: Fabrique Nationale d'Armes de Guerre (FN), Herstal, Belgium
• Model: Browning Hi-Power (P-35)
• Variation: 2 (tangent rear sight, no stock slot)
• Serial Number: 126902
• Date of Manufacture: 1942
• Caliber: 9mm Parabellum
• Action: Short recoil, locked breech, single action semi automatic
• Barrel Length: 4.65 inches
• Frame: Steel, blued
• Slide: Steel, blued
• Sights: Blade front, tangent rear graduated to 500 meters
• Safety: Frame mounted thumb safety
• Grips: Checkered wood
• Magazines: Two 13-round magazines (one WaA140 marked, one with "9" marking)
• Holster: Leather, marked "DLA 42" with Eagle over "WaA195"