Make: Fabrique Nationale

Model: High Power, Model 1935 Belgian Military Contract

Serial Number: 2590

Year of Manufacture: 1935

Caliber: 9mm Parabellum (9mm Luger)

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto fed by Detachable Magazine

Barrel Length: 4 5/8"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a tapered, serrated blade dovetailed to the front of the slide. The rear sight is a "V"-notch tangent sight graduated from 50-500 meters. The graduation markings go about 60% of the way down the arm, indicating that the pistol was originally issued with a shoulder-stock.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut with smooth borders. The grips have even handling wear with some scattered light nicks and small scratches. The checkering is generally well defined with most wear around the borders. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original to the parts. Numbers match on slide, frame and barrel. The extractor protrudes notably from the rear of the slide and may be a replacement. The trigger pin has been replaced. The trigger lever appears to be a custom replacement (see Overall Condition, Mechanics).

Bore Condition: The bore is gray, the rifling is sharp where not interrupted by erosion. There is some scattered light erosion with infrequent minor pitting, mostly in the grooves. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates about 6/10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 80% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is handling wear in the grip areas. There is some minor surface oxidation and infrequent surface erosion, most at the leading edges of the slide. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is a cluster of more notable nicks at the "thumbprint" on the right of the slide and on the left of the frame at the front of the safety lever. There are scratches on and around the slide stop. The trigger pin is peened on both sides. The trigger bar appears to be a custom replacement, it shows notable wear and does not function properly (see Mechanics), the front edge of the sear lever is chipped. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about Good condition.

Mechanics: The trigger does not reliably drop the hammer, likely due to the replacement of the trigger lever and/or the damage to the front edge of the sear bar. Otherwise, the action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This handgun comes with a single 13-round magazine. The finish on the magazine is not correct for this period of production, it is either a replacement or has been refinished.

Our Assessment: Originally developed as "Le Grand Rendement" (the High Efficiency), with some input from John Browning and most design evolution from Dieudonne Saive, Browning's assistant at FN, the "Grande Puissance" would be put into production in 1935, now known as the High Power. Referring not to the power of the cartridge, but rather to its capacity of 13 rounds in the magazine, this new model would carry nearly double the ammunition of its contemporary military sidearms. High Powers went on to see service with a number of nations, widespread commercial sales, and have a number of variations that make them attractive to collectors.

This example is a particularly early one, made in the first year of production for the first Belgian military contract. It has correct markings and features for these early pistols, though the trigger lever and pin have been replaced and there are a couple of mechanical issues that prevent it from functioning properly. As one of the first High Powers with matching slide, frame and barrel, collectors will be able to overlook this and it will make a wonderful addition for those who are interested in the early variations of the Grande Puissance. Please see our photos and good luck!