[utex88]

Hi all, new member here; a GB find of mine has me perplexed. I’m not new to Hi Powers, I’ve owned a few. This one has a 1986 manufacture date based on the serial number, but has no Mk2 features. Left side safely, no hole at the front of the frame, small sights and no rib on the top of the slide. It appears to have a one piece barrel and profiled like a Mk2 or Mk3 for hollow points. No apparent Israeli markings, it does have the Belgian pineapple proof on the right side of the trigger guard. R Guns, the importer, didn’t know the origin, they just said they imported the pistols from Europe. Any ideas?

 

[utex88]

When bunches of surplus Hi powers were being imported, some were seen with non-matching slides and frames. Whether slides and frames were changed around by armorers associated with entities in the countries of origin, or by importers, I don't pretend to know. I suspect some of both. The pistol in question might be one of those with a later frame and earlier slide for some unknown reason. I saw all kinds of combinations, including some with crudely "force matched" serial numbers on slides and frames, on auction sites a few years ago.....

Not sure that applies here; the serial numbers on the slide, barrel and frame all match. Upon further research, I’ve been wondering if this is a “Type 73”. I understand they had extended bushings (this one does), pre-Type 2 features and were manufactured into the late 1980s. I’ve never seen one so have no frame of reference, but this seems to be my number one suspect.

 

[utex88]

I can tell you that the gun has been refinished, because I have a BHP with the epoxy finish, and it is much smoother than the brush lines in the photos. A Mark I would be blued, a Mark II would be parkerized, and a Mark III would be a professionally applied epoxy.

FN is notorious for having serial numbers all over the place, sometimes having them out of order for batches produced for contracts. FN also has used leftover parts from what would be considered previous versions, nothing wrong with that, it just can further confuse the manufacture date.

Good to know about the using up parts, that’s my main confusion here. The pistol is definitely a pre-Mk2 despite being a 1986 manufacture. Classic firearms was selling, but has now sold out, of identical Hi Powers but with an aluminum frame. They have similar features, including the finish, to the one in my possession. I have owned other surplus Hi Powers with an identical finish so I’d respectfully disagree with the refinish opinion on this one, but who knows. It looks smoother in person than the pics show but definitely resembles the 1980s epoxy/semi gloss paint look I’ve seen on other military and police surplus pistols. I appreciate the input!