Archived Posts » 60,595,333
195 prefix for serial number?
6/25/2011 9:26:49 AM
Hey all you super knowledgeable BHP people out there.
If I'm looking at a Browning with a 195 prefix for the serial number, what would that say about when and where it was made? I know the C series and T series are the "Cadillac's" of BHP's, but where do the 195's fit in?
Thanks.
If I'm looking at a Browning with a 195 prefix for the serial number, what would that say about when and where it was made? I know the C series and T series are the "Cadillac's" of BHP's, but where do the 195's fit in?
Thanks.
6/25/2011 1:34:57 PM
Originally Posted By CA_TX-Cop:
Hey all you super knowledgeable BHP people out there.
If I'm looking at a Browning with a 195 prefix for the serial number, what would that say about when and where it was made? I know the C series and T series are the "Cadillac's" of BHP's, but where do the 195's fit in?
Thanks.
Hey all you super knowledgeable BHP people out there.
If I'm looking at a Browning with a 195 prefix for the serial number, what would that say about when and where it was made? I know the C series and T series are the "Cadillac's" of BHP's, but where do the 195's fit in?
Thanks.
I've been a Hi Power collector/shooter since the early '80's and have never heard of a 195 "prefix". Are you referring to a prefix like these: (prefix is bolded)
245NM12345
511PN12345
215RP12345
"T's" & "C's" are called that because they have those letters in their serial number:
T12345
76C12345
(Not to be confused with some WWII vintage Inglis Hi Powers that had a "T" in the serial #)
For military contracts FN would number the pistols any way Eastern Slobovia wanted........sometimes starting over at 00001.
****There are fake Hi Powers out there with odd serial number ranges.
6/25/2011 8:30:59 PM
It's supposed to be a nazi-marked FN, and I asked for the first part of the serial number and was given "195" which I haven't seen before.
6/25/2011 10:25:31 PM
This website shows one that has a 193 prefix on an occupation hp
http://www.tague.at/pistolen/en_index.htm?/pistolen/pages/en_fnhp.htm
http://www.tague.at/pistolen/en_index.htm?/pistolen/pages/en_fnhp.htm
6/26/2011 9:54:36 AM
Originally Posted By CA_TX-Cop:
It's supposed to be a nazi-marked FN, and I asked for the first part of the serial number and was given "195" which I haven't seen before.
It's supposed to be a nazi-marked FN, and I asked for the first part of the serial number and was given "195" which I haven't seen before.
If thats just the first three digits it makes sense. (not really a prefix)
If it is an FN manufactured earlier than 1964 or so it would not have a prefix. They (FN) just used "numbers only" in the serial #.
Without seeing the entire gun or you telling us what all the other markings are its a guess as to whether its prewar, occupation or postwar..........in any event it would be a collectable. It probably has the "thumbprint" on the right side of the slide, this feature was discontinued in the early '60's.
As far as quality, these are perfectly fine............but if it is an HP made during the German occupation of Belgium some will say it is suspect. Rumor has it that the Belgian FN workers sabotaged the firearms as they were being made.......I think that is simply hogwash. I've yet to see any occupation FN firearm that wasn't as functional as a prewar FN gun.
In any event you should post pics as son as you get it home.
