Exceptional example of the highly prized 9mm FN Hi-Power service pistol used by the Germans in World War II.  Following the occupation of Belgium in 1940, the Germans seized the Fabrique Nationale (FN) factory and continued to produce Hi-Power pistols under Wehrmacht supervision.   Designated the “P.640(b)” by the Germans, the principal markings on this example include: “25866b” (serial number); “FABRIQUE NATIONALE D’ARMES DE GUERRE  HERSTAL  BELGIQUE” (Manufacturer); “BROWNING’S PATENT DEPOSE”; eagle over “WaA140” (German military acceptance stamp).

The condition is exceptional with 99% of the blue remaining; really Like New and Unissued!  The bore is perfect and perhaps only test rounds were fired through it.  The pistol is fully functioning.  All of the serial numbers match and the magazine is the correct original type.  As designated by the slide legend, the pistol was manufactured by Fabrique Nationale (FN), Herstal (suburb of Liège), Belgium.  An estimated 319,000 P.640(b) pistols were made for the German army during 1940 – 1944; based on the serial number, this pistol was made in March 1944.

Invented by John Browning, development of the pistol was impeded when the famed firearms designer died at his work bench in 1926; FN engineers subsequently completed his vision and introduced the new pistol in 1935.  Interestingly, Browning considered the Hi-Power to be an improvement of his earlier Colt M1911 pistol design.  The family resemblance between the M1911 and the Hi-Power is best demonstrated by a famous photo from the Battle of the Bulge showing a German volksgrenadier holding a pistol; accompanying captions in many books and magazine articles often identify the pistol as a captured M1911A1, but a closer examination will reveal that the soldier in fact wields a Hi-Power!

The Germany army issued more pistols to service personnel (per percentage of the total force) than any other nation in World War II.  To meet this demand, the manufacture of superior designs fielded by defeated armies continued under Wehrmacht auspices.  The most highly coveted of these foreign pistols proved the be the Hi-Power due to its quality of manufacture and reliability; it remained especially favored by hardened combat veterans of the Waffen SS because of the unique 13-round high capacity magazine.

German Hi-Power pistols in this condition rarely come on the market!  Excellent opportunity to own a collector grade classic World War II pistol made in early 1944 before the D-Day landings occur!  [SK]

Firearms may only be shipped to a licensed dealer (FFL Holder) - If you are not a licensed dealer, you must make arrangements with a dealer in your state to receive the firearm and transfer it to you.

DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire.

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