Description

This is a C&R Pistol Exempt from the California Handgun Roster

Make: Browning Arms Company

Model: This is an excellent example of the commercial T-Series Browning Hi-Power Tangent Rear Sight 9mm Pistol .

Serial Number: T254184

Year of Manufacture: 1968

Caliber: 9mm

Action Type: Single-action hammer-fired semi-auto

Barrel Length: 4.69”

Extractor: External

Front Sight: Front sight is silver-soldered to the slide.

Rear Sight: Fully functioning adjustable tangent with sharp numerals.

Markings: Left side of slide marked BROWNING ARMS COMPANY St LOUIS Mo & MONTREAL P.Q. on one line and MADE IN BELGIUM on a second line. Right side of frame stamped with serial number T254184. Right side of barrel marked CAL 9 m/mP and has a proof symbol. Top of tangent sight marked 50 meter graduations from 50 to 500.

Grip Panels: Postwar classic style factory checkered French walnut. Red moisture blocker was applied at the factory to the inside. Checkering is very well defined. There are no nicks, chips, cracks, or handling wear. Grips are in excellent condition (NRA Antique Firearm Condition).

Finish: Polished bright blue.

Finish Originality: Original. Bluing, 100%.

Barrel and Bore Condition: The barrel has a “humped” feed ramp. The bore is very bright with very sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore. Condition is 10 out of 10 (10 is mint).

Mechanics: The action functions correctly and there is no play between the barrel assembly and frame. The hold-open latch keeps the action open on an empty magazine. Magazine disconnect functions correctly.

Magazine: The 13 round magazine looks to be original to this pistol. It has no dents and includes intact feed lips and a strong spring. It is fully functional and we would rate it in excellent condition.

Other Items: Black leather red felt-lined original pouch, including ‘BROWNING’ on top, in. excellent condition. Original manual.

NRA Antique Firearm Condition: Excellent. All original parts; over 95% original finish; sharp lettering, numerals and design on metal; unmarred wood grip panels; fine bore.

History: The Browning Hi Power Pistol is a single-action semiautomatic pistol designed by John M. Browning and Dieudonné Saive, and first produced by Fabrique Nationale of Herstal, Belgium in 1935. Introduced as the Grande Puissance, and subsequently known as the Browning High Power, this pistol was later imported into the United States, beginning in 1954, by the Browning Arms Company, which called its offering the “Browning Hi-Power.”  This pistol is a classic Hi Power known as the T Series (manufactured 1960’s – 1970’s). This is a Fabrique Nationale (FN)-manufactured commercial pre-Mark II pistol  that includes a forged frame, small single-side safety, factory checkered French walnut grip panels, humped feed ramp, oval-shaped ejection port, short barrel bushing, two-piece barrel construction, and forged steel frame.  This T-Series has a ring hammer, pivoting external extractor, and a highly polished bright blue finish.  After 82 years of continuous production, FN Herstal announced that the production of the Hi-Power would end, and it was discontinued in early 2018 by Browning Arms.  The pistol was so popular that from 2019 to 2022 clones were designed by various firearm companies to fill the void. In 2022, because of high demand FN announced it would resume production of the Browning Hi Power.

Overall Assessment: Browning Hi-Power pistols are known to be quality tried and trusted pistols. For nearly one hundred years, they have been the chosen sidearm by armies and police forces across the world. During its service life, it was adopted as the standard service pistol by over 50 armies and 93 countries. Those numbers make it the most used and highly regarded pistol in history being continuously manufactured from 1935 until 2018. Many consider the Browning Hi Power is the best 9mm fighting handgun one can possess. This is an excellent example of a classic T-Series that many consider to be the high point of classic Hi Power design because of their impeccable finish. It has with adjustable rear sight that has a design, fit, and finish so good that it can be safely fired today with a high degree of reliability and accuracy. This Browning T-Series Hi-Power is a well-maintained pistol has outstanding mechanics, fully functioning tangent sight, retains 100% of its outstanding polished blued finish, includes an excellent bright bore with very sharp rifling, and has red-backed excellent French walnut wood grip panels. We would rate the pistol in excellent condition (NRA Antique Firearm Condition). Own a piece of history that is a highly collectible pistol and a practical steel frame, low -recoil self-defense or target shooting firearm.

Residents of States with High-Capacity Mag or Other Restrictions: Determine whether you can own this Browning Hi-Power T Series tangent sight C&R pistol in your jurisdiction. It will be shipped to your FFL without the 13rd (high-capacity) mag unless your FFL can legally receive a high-capacity mag and restrict it to 10rd capacity for transfer to you. Exemptions for law enforcement officers or other individuals to high-capacity restrictions may apply in your jurisdiction.