MON JUL 24, VERY CHOICE & VERY RARE & HIGHLY DESIRABLE, 1937 LITHUANIAN CONTRACT FN / BROWNING HIGH POWER PISTOL, VERY CRISP EXAMPLE! 100% CORRECT!

In 97% very choice, all matching condition, we have a very scarce and rarely seen 1937 Lithuanian Contract FN High Power Pistol.  Only around 7,000 pistols were ordered by Lithuania, and few survived the invasions of the Soviets in 1940 and the Nazis in 1941.  These pistols were inspected by Lithuanian personal at the FN plant in Liege and all the inspected parts are marked with the National Crest which represents the Pillars of Gediminas.   They have a few unique and readily identifiable features such as the Lithuanian National Crest on the top of the slide and a Very Distinctive staple type lanyard loop at the base of the grip.  They are the only Pre-War Contract High Power with a lanyard loop installed.

If you look at the very famous picture we listed as our second photo, you will see that a Red Army Officer is instructing & familiarizing Soviet Partisans in the use of the FN/Browning High Power; if you look closely at the bottom of the grip of the pistol being held by the officer you will see the distinctive Lanyard Loop that identifies this pistol as being from the Lithuanian Contract!  

These rare Pistols are highly sought after by collectors, and they are rarely ever seen in this exceptionally fine condition.  Most of the few know surviving examples have considerable wear.  If you look at the circumstances of their use during the WWII era, they were captured and re-issued by multiple users during the conflict.  Any example could have seen issue in the Lithuanian, Soviet (as pictured) and Nazi, armies and would likely have been brought back by a GI as a War Trophy.