FN Browning Hi-Power Italian Market 7.65mm Para SA Semi-Auto Pistol 1981
SOLD FOR: $1,335
WOA#: WY240210TM034
Make: Browning, Made in Belgium, Fabrique Nationale Herstal
Model: Hi Power
Serial#: 245PZ9634
Year of Manufacture: 1981
Caliber: 7.65mm Parabellum
Action Type: Semi-Automatic Pistol, Exposed Hammer Single Action with Detachable Magazine.
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY MORGAN, UTAH & MONTREAL P.Q.”. The right side of the slide is marked “MADE IN BELGIUM / BY FABRIQUE NATIONALE HERSTAL”. The chamber is marked “CAL.7.65m/mP / 245PZ9634”. The strap is marked “245PZ9634”. The right side of the trigger guard is marked with two proofs. The left side of the trigger guard is marked “F”. The backs of the grips are marked “BROWNING / HI-POWER”. The bottom of the grip is marked “C.A.T. 1086”.
Barrel Length: 4.75”
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a rounded blade fixed to a rectangular raised base integral to the slide. The rear sight is a rectangular notch sight dovetailed to the slide.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: One 7.65mm magazine in Excellent condition.
Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The grips are two-piece checkered black synthetic panels. There are some light handling marks on the smooth borders. There are no chips or cracks and the checkering is sharp. Overall, the grips rate in about Fine-Plus condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. The rifling is sharp. There is no visible erosion in the bore. The feed ramp is smooth and shiny. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 10/10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 99% of its metal finish. The screw heads are sharp, the markings are clear. Overall the pistol is in Excellent Condition. There are no notable imperfections with this pistol.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The slide action is smooth. The trigger is crisp. We did not fire this pistol. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box Paperwork and Accessories: This pistol comes with two 13rd magazines, owner’s manual, and its factory box.
Our Assessment: The Browning Hi-Power is a single-action, semi-automatic handgun. It was based on a design by American firearms inventor John Browning, and completed by Dieudonné Saive at Fabrique Nationale (FN) of Herstal, Belgium. Browning died in 1926, several years before the design was finalized. FN Herstal initially named the design the “High Power”, which alludes to the 13-round magazine capacity, almost twice that of other designs at the time, such as the Luger or Colt M1911. This example was manufactured in Belgium in 1981 and is chambered for 7.65 Parabellum. The 7.65×21mm Parabellum is a pistol cartridge that was introduced in 1898 by German arms manufacturer Deutsche Waffen- und Munitionsfabriken (DWM) for their new Pistol Parabellum. The primary developers of the pistol cartridge were firearms designers Georg Luger and Hugo Borchardt, who developed the round from the earlier 7.65×25mm Borchardt while working at DWM. Since its introduction, 7.65×21mm Parabellum ammunition has been manufactured in several countries for both domestic use and for export, including Germany, Switzerland, Finland, France, Portugal, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The bottom of the grip is marked “C.A.T. 1086” indicating that it was made for the Italian market. Ron Shirk Supply imported 1800 of these guns in 1988 for US sales. This is a beautiful pistol with about 99% of its original finish in about Excellent condition. Please see our photos and good luck on your bid! – L.S.
