In 97% very crisp condition, we have a very fine example of the classic Late 1938 Production Pre WWII Belgium Army issued FN Browning Model 1935 GP/High Power Pistol. This is the Type 1 Variant, with the tangent sight graduated for use with the shoulder stock. The Type 1 was issued by the Belgium Army to NCO’s and other ranks who carried a pistol such as Machine gunners and Tank Crews. This example was manufactured in December of 1939. The pistol is 100% factory original, and all matching and the bore is excellent.
This pistol was likely carried into battle with some Belgium Army NCO in May of 1940 when the Nazis invaded Belgium, and it would almost certainly have been surrendered to the Germans when the Belgian Army capitulated to the Nazis just weeks later. These pistols were immediately re-issued to the German Forces and Primarily to the weapon starved Waffen SS who certainly put them to more effective use than the Belgian Army ever did! There are many photos of their use by the Germans during the war, most notably by SS combat forces in the 1941 invasion of Russia, a very useful pistol during the savage fighting.
The Pre War High Power Pistols found today in collections in North American were brought here as war trophies by returning American and Canadian soldiers after they were captured from the Nazis. The High Power was the most sought after and cherished of the European 9m/m military pistols due to the high capacity 13 round mag and its flawless function. In actual close quarters combat there simply was no handgun that would have been more desirable or effective, including the M1911a1. If you have ever shot one of these exceptional pistols you know they run like a Swiss watch. Absolutely My favorite WWII Pistol and I personally own an extensive collection of them.
