Inherited BHP

358 Views 8 Replies 3 Participants Last post by TNorris, 15 d ago

Switch 625

Discussion Starter · 25 d ago

Need a little help identifying an inherited browning. Like many posts about numbers outside the range of Broning’s website, I believe mine is of the FN variety, post 1968. The number is T293xxx. How do I narrow down the year, and what exactly does it mean to be FN? Only other marks of significance are an oval with a crown with a P|N inside the oval with what appears to be two chevrons underneath.
I hope someone out there can shed a little light. Thanks!

Save

1 - 9 of 9 Posts

TNorris

· #2 · 24 d ago

It will be difficult, if not impossible, to conclusively assign a year of production to your pistol. The T-series was made concurrently with the C-series. Some say this went on into the mid '70s.

If you post detailed pictures to the right forum, you may get some clues.

Cheers,

Tim

Save

Switch 625

Discussion Starter · #3 · 24 d ago

TNorris said:
It will be difficult, if not impossible, to conclusively assign a year of production to your pistol. The T-series was made concurrently with the C-series. Some say this went on into the mid '70s.

If you post detailed pictures to the right forum, you may get some clues.

Cheers,

Tim

Thank you. I figured that might be the next logical step. I’ll try to post some pictures here first, soon.

Save

Reactions: 1

chuntaro

· #4 · 18 d ago

Hello:

I formerly knew the answers to your questions. Let me see how much my memory bank will allow me to recall.

Browning had the exclusive import rights on the FN Hi Power in the United States. A Hi Power with a T prefix but not “Browning” roll marked was most likely a government contract pistol. It should show an import mark or stamp applied at the time it came into the US from across the pond.

The “C” series was a Browning only serial number flavor. It appeared on the scene as a result of a numbering system Browning came up with for their entire line of firearms. Meanwhile, FN (only) marked Hi Powers continued with the T prefix until the advent of the 215/245 serial number scheme.

Some confusion arises with Browning marked Hi Powers which have T serial numbers manufactured after the introduction of the C series numbering. This is due to what is known as backfill. Browning had to pre-order their Hi Powers from FN for an entire production year. When Browning sold out of those pre-ordered pistols and wanted more; FN was happy to sell Browning some more. However, Browning was forced to accept pistols marked with T numbers instead of C numbers.

I guess the first thing to do if not having obtained the information sought from another source would be to list the roll marks found on your example. Hope this has been of some assistance.

See less See more

Save

Reactions: 1

TNorris

· #5 · 18 d ago (Edited)

chuntaro said:
The “C” series was a Browning only serial number flavor.

I have a 75Cxxxxx Alloy frame, which was made only for the European market. It was mated with an '81 FN slide when I acquired it... but was an import. As an Alloy Frame, its original slide was likely marked FN and replaced by an LE armorer. I believe there were no Browning marked Alloy Frame pistols.

* Looking through various reference books, I find little information re the C-series, other than it was a new inventory management system and there were changes to production in polishing, applying serial numbers with a different location/stamping technique and so on. They were produced alongside the T-series pistols for a number of years. I suspect, due to the info on the Browning web site re serial numbers, that Browning only imported C-series pistols at some point.

It seems no one has written a complete history of BHP serial numbers. I imagine this would be a time consuming project.

Cheers,

Tim

Save

chuntaro

· #6 · 18 d ago

This is the first I have heard of an alloy frame C series. I have only seen them in 215 serial numberings. Every alloy frame I have seen has had a lanyard ring or at least a hole where the pin for one once resided. It is my understanding they were all contract pistols.
I think it may be as in English grammar; rules have exceptions.

As an interesting side note, I observed one of the new FN High Power pistols on an auction site the other day. The seller composed narrative stated alloy frame. The FN website does not show the availability of such a variation. One has to wonder if the seller was in error or the FN America website fails to indicate such a variation.

Save

TNorris

· #7 · 17 d ago

chuntaro said:
This is the first I have heard of an alloy frame C series. I have only seen them in 215 serial numberings. Every alloy frame I have seen has had a lanyard ring or at least a hole where the pin for one once resided. It is my understanding they were all contract pistols.
I think it may be as in English grammar; rules have exceptions.

I have three Alloy frame BHPs. None have lanyard rings or holes for such. I imagine there are many C-series alloy frame BHPs and mine is just one of them. I believe it is an early model.

Cheers,

Tim

Save

chuntaro

· #8 · 15 d ago

These C series alloy BHPs have C and a number or a two digit year followed by a C then a number?

Save

TNorris

· #9 · 15 d ago

chuntaro said:
These C series alloy BHPs have C and a number or a two digit year followed by a C then a number?

Yes. 75C291xx
It also features the oval pressed in cam rather than the round cam as most of the alloy frames had.

Cheers,

Tim

Save

Reactions: 1

1 - 9 of 9 Posts

Top Contributors this Month