Browning High Power 9mm, Belgia 1935

Description of the Product

The Browning Hi Power is one of the most widely used military pistols in history, for this classic military pistol has been used as a service pistol by more than 50 armies in 93 countries. The first country to adopt this pistol was the Belgian Army, who took the Browning P-35 as a service pistol in 1935. The Browning High Power is a single-action semi-automatic pistol that fires 9mm bullets. American gun inventor John Browning designed the foundations of the pistol, and its manufacture began after the designer's death at the Fabrique Nationale Herstal (abbreviated as FN) in Belgium in 1935. This pistol is still manufactured.

This pistol has several names and abbreviations e.g. FN Browning High Power, FN GP (FN by gun factory and GP = Grande Puissance = Great Power), GP35 (GP = Grande Puissance = Great Power and 35 since manufacturing began in 1935), FN M / 35, FN Hi Power, FN HP, P35, HP-35, BHP (Browning High Power) and BAP (Browning Automatic Pistol). In Finland as a service pistol the abbreviations for this 9mm weapon were “9.00 pist / FN” and “900 PIST FN”.

During World War II, this pistol was manufactured and used by both parties. The Axis powers manufactured the weapon in Belgium at the original FN factory, which Germany took over during the Belgian occupation in 1940. The Allies manufactured the weapon in Canada and the pistol was carried by both Canadian and British soldiers. In 1939, 2,400 of these pistols were purchased by Finland. Most of the pistols went to the Air Force and some to the Army to the front line of the ongoing Winter War. The pistols were used by the Finnish military in the Continuation War, and after the wars until 1985-1986.

For the first time, a two-row magazine was introduced in this pistol, in which the cartridges could be loaded in parallel. Up to 15 9mm cartridges could be accommodated in the small space. The 9mm was a good choice: as a very common bullet it was available during the war, since a large number of different weapons used the same caliper. The Browning High Power was easy to disassemble and maintain. The magazine had plenty of bullets compared to many other weapons, and it was effective up to 50m. No wonder, then, that the weapon quickly became commonplace as a military pistol.

After the Second World War, this pistol has been used by e.g. almost all NATO countries and it was a service pistol in all countries of the British Commonwealth. Browning HP is very widespread on all continents, China, Australia, India, Botswana, Chile, the USA and Finland. In addition to the “good guys”, Browning High Power has been notoriously carried by both Saddam Hussein and Muammar Gaddafi, and it has even been used in an attempted assassination of the Pope. This pistol has been manufactured in many places, as both genuine and pirated copies.

While the Browning High Power is still a practical and good pistol today, since the early 1990s armies and police units have gradually moved towards more modern pistols. However, Browning High Power is still in official use around the world and the style, design and operating principles of the weapon have strongly influenced the next generation of pistols.

• This gun is an exact replica of the original. The replica matches the original in size and weight, and the mechanisms of the weapon are working. The weapon can be cocked and dry fired like a real one. The slider moves and the magazine can be removed. Due to the materials used, the mechanisms cannot withstand continuous cocking and firing for long periods.
• Cast metal has been used to make this replica weapon. The handle plates are plastic. Zamac differs from steel in many respects, so the structure of the gun does not withstand pressure, it cannot be used to fire cartridges, nor can it be converted to a functional weapon by any means. The magazine differs slightly from the original, so that it cannot be used with a real gun.
• Replica guns such as this do not require permits in Finland, nor in many other countries. However, since the gun looks real, it should not be carried in public.
• A replica gun is perfect for historical re-enactment, on a theater stage, in film productions, for collectors of historical memorabilia, and as decoration.
• Length: 23 cm
• Weight: 830 g
• Manufacturer: Denix, Spain

Due to the nature of this item please read about shipping options/restrictions if ordering outside Finland.   –More information about international shipping-