1938 "Mexican" Browning High-Power Turned in at LA "buyback" in May, 2014

Gun Watch ^ | 7 July, 2015 | Dean Weingarten

[marktwain]

This "Mexican" Browning High-Power was one of many fine /firearms turned in at the Los Angeles gun "buy back" in May of 2014.  It stands out because of the custom grips, which appear to be mother of pearl, inlaid with Mexican emblems and framed in silver.

The pistol has the slide at the full rear position, yet the barrel is only showing about 5/8ths of an inch in front.  It should show about 1 3/8ths.   Look at the other side.

The barrel is extending half way back above the magazine!  It should not be in that position. Someone disassembled the pistol, then did not put it back together properly.   Did they think it was broken?  Is that is why they turned it in for $100?  This sort of configuration can easily happen if the pistol is assembled without the recoil spring.  The grips alone are worth a $100 to a person who likes that sort of art.  Quite a bit of labor was expended in making those grips.  The serial number shows as 10109.  The serial number does not seem to fit the serial number scheme for the Inglis pistol given here.   A look at the markings on the left of the slide shows a blurry "Herstal Belgium" I wonder if anyone checked to see if it was reported stolen. 

The slot for a shoulder stock and the long range adjustable rear sight show the pistol as most likely made before WWII.   According to this site, the pistol was made about 1938.  Here is a right side view of a tangent sighted version:

And a left side view of a Candian version made by Inglis:

The tangent sighted variants made in Belgium are not as common as the fixed sight version.  While the pistol that was turned in has been abused, it would still be worth several hundred dollars.   I wonder if the pistol came to Mexico with a German fleeing from the end of WWII.

It is a shame to see these valuable bits of history melted down for scrap.  Several states have passed laws to prevent tax dollars being used to support such waste.   California is not one of them.

©2015 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice is included.
Link to Gun Watch

[marktwain]

Shame to see an early High-Power melted down in the name of political correctness. The disarmists are much like the Taliban in destroying historical artefacts.

I wonder if the grips went home with anyone. It would only take a screwdriver and 30 seconds. No serial numbers on the grips.

[marktwain]

Ping early High-Power

[xone]

What a waste.

[headstamp 2]

Always liked the Hi-Powers

[edpc]

Only a pimp from a cheap New Orleans whorehouse would carry a pearl-handled pistol.

Gen. George Patton

[vetvetdoug]

Canadian gun control resulted in my obtaining an original Confederate issued rifle and was given to the troops prior to the Battle of Shiloh in Corinth. People up there couldn’t even keep their antique weapons at home.

[Lurker]

I’ve regretted selling two guns in my life. One of them was a S&W Model 19 Illinois State Police issue. A custom run for them.

The other was a Belgian Hi Power.

L

[PLMerite]

I was wondering if anyone checked to see if it had been converted to fire full-auto? That might be a good reason for someone to trade it in.

[Osage Orange]

I gave away a .25 Browning Semi...back in 1998.

Regret that to this day......

[Lurker]

Ouch.

[headstamp 2]

“The other was a Belgian Hi Power.”

I feel your pain.

Those Belgian anything’s were fantastic guns.

[marktwain]

Unlikely. From the article, somebody took it apart and did not know how to put it back together properly. They may have lost the recoil spring.

[Lurker]

I sold it for......

$300....

I’m so ashamed.

L

[Lurker]

When I live in a Class III state I shall own a Belgian version of the BAR chambered in 7.62 NATO.

I don’t care what it costs.

L

[al baby]

Cops got the best dope and guns

[unixfox]

People up there couldn’t even keep their antique weapons at home.

Some laws are just meant to be broken.

[headstamp 2]

Now I’m getting stomach ache.

LOL

[CrazyIvan]

“One of them was a S&W Model 19 Illinois State Police issue. A custom run for them.”

My 19 will be give to one of my son in laws on his birthday this year. One of my favorites and has a special meaning to me because a great uncle of mine was a friend and fellow Boarder Patrol officer of Bill Jordan.

[SkyDancer]

I bet some cop or politician got themselves a nice gun.

[Lurker]

Those 19s are sweet guns. I really miss it.

L