Make: Browning; Made by FN in Belgium, imported by TAI

Model: Hi-Power

Serial Number: 245RN57163

Year of Manufacture: 1979

Caliber: 9mm Luger

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto Pistol with Removable Magazine

Barrel Length: 4 5/8"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a rounded blade that is fixed to the slide. The rear sight is a square notch leaf that is dovetailed to the slide.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece finely checkered walnut panels with smooth diamonds around the screws. The grips have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Excellent condition.

Type of Finish: Nickel, Fire-Blue Hammer

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore, just a little stubborn copper fouling. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 9/10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 98% of its metal finish. The action has minor operational wear. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Fine-Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a single nickel 13-round magazine marked "BELGIUM" on the spine.

Our Assessment: The Browning Hi-Power is a single-action, semi-automatic handgun based on a design by American firearms inventor John Browning, completed by Dieudonne Saive at Fabrique Nationale in Herstal, Belgium. Browning died in 1926, several years before the design was finalized. FN Herstal initially named the design the "High Power", which alludes to the 13-round magazine capacity, almost twice that of other designs at the time.

This example was manufactured in Belgium in 1979 and is a particularly gorgeous pistol. While Browning had introduced the Louis XVI etched engraving pattern, this one exhibits hand engraving in the Renaissance style with nickel finish and fine-checkered walnut stocks. The engraving is signed "B. ROMAINVILLE" on the left of the frame above the trigger and has a tiny buckmark behind the trigger on the same side. Just to give it one more unique touch, it has the older-style ring hammer finished in fire-blue with the sides polished bright. Also of note is the TAI import mark on the bottom of the frame, tastefully placed outside the magazine well where it is covered by the floorplate with the magazine installed. The import marking strongly indicates that this pistol was purchased in Europe and brought back to the United States at a later date. It will make a wonderful addition to any collection, especially those who appreciate hand engraving. Please see our photos and good luck!