Fabrique Nationale (Browning Hi-Power)

**cfrick** · April 1st, 2013, 02:47 PM

We have been offered a pistol that is being presented as a WWII Bowning Hi-Power with Waffenamt Proofing, but my gun guide does not have it as square hit in the serial number range. Here are the details:

SN: 417xx a
Proof: WaA 140 w/Eagle Proof
Condition: 85+

It seems most fakes in the US have the more desirable WaA 163 proof added, but that doesn't mean that this is legit.

Any thoughts or links to helpful sites would be appreciated.

Regards,
Carl

**Andrew6791** · April 1st, 2013, 02:52 PM

I'm no expert, but if a deal sounds fishy I walk....

**cfrick** · April 1st, 2013, 03:15 PM

After further research by my wife, it appears to be a legit 3rd issue of the series. Worth about $500 or so.

Still wouldn't mind input for any one with insight.

Thanks,
Carl

**cfrick** · April 1st, 2013, 03:17 PM

Originally Posted by Andrew6791

I'm no expert, but if a deal sounds fishy I walk....

Thanks Andrew, I also walk on the cautious side!

**Brick** · April 1st, 2013, 05:58 PM

Are you trying for a collecters piece or a shooting machine? If a shooting machine an FN HP is an excellent piece regardless of the proof marks and $500 does not sound that far off. Look at gunbroker or some other site to see what purely commercial civilian HPs are going for used. If the price is reasonable you're in good shape.

**thundrr1** · April 1st, 2013, 07:25 PM

Make sure you have some 9MM on hand..... cause there ain't none out there,,, yet.

**cfrick** · April 1st, 2013, 08:56 PM

Originally Posted by thundrr1

Make sure you have some 9MM on hand..... cause there ain't none out there,,, yet.

Actually, I just have to decide if it is worthwhile taking it from my shop inventory. I'm OK with it, but my wife tends to object :-)

**cfrick** · April 1st, 2013, 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by Brick

Are you trying for a collecters piece or a shooting machine? If a shooting machine an FN HP is an excellent piece regardless of the proof marks and $500 does not sound that far off. Look at gunbroker or some other site to see what purely commercial civilian HPs are going for used. If the price is reasonable you're in good shape.

Wanted it for my personal collection since I don't think there will be enough "meat on the bone" to resell in my shop if I can't be 100% sure it is legit.

**39flathead** · April 1st, 2013, 11:27 PM

Originally Posted by thundrr1

Make sure you have some 9MM on hand..... cause there ain't none out there,,, yet.

250 rnd packs of UMC at Altoona Dunhams on Saturday.

I didn't buy as I don't need any at this moment, however, a group of guys came in, one asked the other two to each buy him a box since it was limit one per customer.

There is why there appears to be an ammo shortage.

Watched a guy in Walmart buy 3 boxes of .45 Colt, only to say he didn't have one, he was going to put it on the internet for sale.

There is plenty of ammo out there, if assholes would leave it when they don't need it and if idiots would quit buying it at inflated prices off of the internet.

**Wilson Guy** · April 2nd, 2013, 06:59 AM

There is a pretty knowledgeable group of HP fans at the 1911 forum. If you post some pictures of the gun on that site in the HP section (and here for that matter) it would probably help.

I have seen some HPs in the $1,500 range on gunbroker in the last few days......insane.......