Browning Hi Power serial number meaning.....

**psolkajohn** · March 4th, 2013, 10:30 PM

Just got a pistol from my father....he had been promising it to me for years and he finally turned it over to me. It is a Belgian-made Hi Power that he purchased new in 1970 or 1971, just before I was born. It is blued with checkered walnut grips and a ring hammer. The serial number is T3000xx. I was wondering if there is any info that someone could steer me to that would give me a manufacturing date on this gun. It holds some sentimental value to me, since it was the first gun that I ever held and fired. I remember seeing my father cleaning it when I was 10 and he always stressed the importance of firearm safety, and showed me that guns must be maintained and taken care of.

The grips are in pretty good shape, but the bluing is somewhat worn on the top of the slide, front and back straps, and around the trigger guard area. It was is everyday carry gun for over 20 years.

I don't know if refinishing this pistol is something I should do.... I'm not overly concerned about collector value since I never intend to sell it. I would like to see it restored to its former glory, but have no idea where to start.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

**Grey Bearded One** · March 4th, 2013, 11:02 PM

According to my Blue Book, it was made in 1970.

**psolkajohn** · March 4th, 2013, 11:05 PM

That's whats perplexing to me....the serial number does not start with "T13....."; it actually starts with T3000xx. I was loking for a "1" in there, and it absent. The sites I saw that have serial number listing seem to list the end of the T-series pistols at around T254000 or something close to that.

1970 would make sense.....he purchased it in April of either 1970 or 1971......thanks!

**Grey Bearded One** · March 5th, 2013, 12:05 AM

According to the Blue Book, the highest T number in 1969 was 261000. Browning then changed to yyCxxxxx where yy is the year and xxxx is the serial number BUT T numbers continued beyond 300000 and shipped in 1970.

You might contact Browning, S&W will tell you year of manufacture just for asking so maybe Browning will too.

**bortle** · March 5th, 2013, 09:40 PM

Your dad has excellent taste in firearms. They don't get much better than a T series BHP. Pics would be greatly appreciated.

**jonboy 69** · March 9th, 2013, 06:00 PM

you might be sorry later if you reblue the gun. the bluing loss is a memory of your dad. also, don't know the reason but the T series brownings are the most sought after i think.

**highrider** · March 10th, 2013, 04:11 PM

http://www.browning.com/customerserv...tail.asp?id=35

**psolkajohn** · March 10th, 2013, 09:28 PM

Thanks for the replies, guys! I will see what I can do for pics.....

I think I may just leave the gun as is.....Just found out that round count on this piece is around the 300 mark....my Dad said that he carried it a lot, but never fired it much. He did point out that it shoots a little low and to the right....damn fixed sights, haha!