I modified the post to include the datas and translate them in english
1954-57 70000-80000
FN begins to sell the BHP on the civilian market
1958 80001-85276
1959 85268-89687
1960 89688-93027
1961 93028-109145
1962 109146-113548
1963 113549-115822
1964 115823-T136568
FN begins to introduce the T prefix during that year.
1965 T136569-T146372
1966 T146373-T173285
1967 T173286-T213999
1968 T214000-T258000
1969-75 T258001-T261000 + 69C1000-???
FN introduces a numbering system with a numerical prefix to identify the year, followed by the letter C (identification of the model HP).
1976-97
FN introduces a 3 numbers prefix to designate the destination of the weapon (245 for civilian, 215 for military). It is followed by a 2 capital letters code for the year.
1994
FN starts production of .40 BHPs with the prefix 4W5.
1998
FN introduces a new prefix 510 for 9 mm BHPs.
Key for year code letters from 1976 on:
Z=1
Y=2
X=3
W=4
V=5
T=6
R=7
P=8
N=9
M=0
Example: 215RP11xxx for a military HP made in 1978 (mine).
It must precised that military contract pistols with special numbers do not fit in this board.
I believe that that's the first reported with a 513 serial number prefix. HP's with a 511 prefix were manufactured in the 1999-2003 period and later. I don't think any 512 prefixes have been reported either.
I was just looking at this thread again, and Ozgunman's post caused me to go look at my 40 S&W FN SFS-HP -- it too starts with 513xxxxxxx. I bought it new almost exactly a year ago.
My 9mm FN SFS-HP is at the gunsmiths right now, but I am 99% sure it is 511xxxxxxx. So is it possible that 513 designates the .40 series? I don't know how long FN has been making the .40 HPs.
First reply recieved to the enquiry, no data prior to 1999 in it, prefixes:
511 for 9mm,
513 for .40S&W,
516 for BDA; and
518 for BDAO-C.
Thank you Marie, Merci and Sergio.
I have two BHPs - one an FN, the other a Browning. Both carry the 245 serial number series. The Browning has a 1989 code, and appears to be a Mk III - firing pin block, ambi safety smooth slide top. It also has what appears to be a parkerized finish. It's quite rough, and almost green.
The FN is allegedly an Israeli military import. The safety is (was; I replaced it) the left-side only, and is a little-bitty Mk. I style. It has the ugly black finish and everything carries the serial number - frame, slide & barrel.
Did the Izzy military pistols have civillian serial numbers from FN?
G'Day,
I found an email address in the 'Contact Us' on the FN Belgium site and sent a very polite request last November. It bounced around (everbody at FN wanted to help it seemed) and there you go!
Can one assume that Hi Powers branded as Browning as well as FN branded follow the same sequence. I just purchased a .40 BHP Practical with a serial number beginning with 513mw..
Yes. It appears that when or after HP's are serial numbered, some are then roll-marked "Browning" for U.S. distribution and others "Fabrique Nationale" for marketing elsewhere. There has never been a correlation between whether HP's are Browning or FN marked and how they are serial numbered reported.
I just picked up one of those that is stamped FN Browning but is made in Argentina and the serial number is 304xxx. Is there any way to tell what year that was made in? Also, are these just cheap knockoffs or licensed copies or what? Thanks in advance, John
I have a BHP that was Made in Belgium that was purchased in Puerto Rico in 1970. The thing that throws me off is that the serial number is T28xxxx which does not match the information posted on the first page or on Browning's site. Could someone help me out?
Someone posted here that T290xxx was a 1971 and the Ts continued up into 1975.
Give the Browning historian (Glen Jensen) a call, he has been very helpful in identifying year manufactured and original configuration. 800-333-3504
HTH,
TAB
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