Make: Browning; Made by FN in Belgium

Model: Hi Power, Louis XVI Engraved

Serial Number: 245PZ79972

Year of Manufacture: 1981

Caliber: 9mm Luger

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine

Barrel Length: 4 5/8”

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

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut panels with Browning medallions. 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 rate in Excellent condition.

Type of Finish: Satin Nickel

Finish Originality: Original

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

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 99% of its metal finish. There is very minor operational wear on the left of the trigger. Otherwise there are only light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Excellent condition.

Mechanics: 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 standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a single 13-round magazine.

Our Assessment: The Browning Hi-Power is a single-action, semi-automatic handgun available in the 9mm and .40 S&W calibers. It was based on a design by American firearms inventor John Browning, and completed by Dieudonné Saive at Fabrique Nationale (FN) of 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, such as the Luger or Colt M1911.

This example was manufactured in Belgium in 1981 and is their "Louis XVI" edition with extensive foliate scroll and banner relief engraving (actually chemically-etched). The negative areas of the engraving are colored black, setting off the satin nickel finish and making the beautiful engraving pattern more prominent. The pistol is in Excellent condition and we'd be surprised if it saw any use outside the factory. For fans of engraving and the Hi Power, this will make a wonderful addition to your collection. Please see our photos and good luck!