Make: Inglis, Canada, Contracted By China, imported by IA-Co.
Model: Hi Power Mk. 1*
Serial Number: 3CH1231
Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1944-1945
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Automatic Detachable Magazine fed with Magazine Disconnect
Barrel Length: 4.75"
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a serrated triangular post dovetailed to the slide. The rear sight is a V-notch tangent leaf sight pinned to the slide marked out to 500.
Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The grips are two piece checkered black plastic panels. The grips have no notable wear or damage, only a few minor marks, most notable at the bottom of the left panel. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine-plus condition as not original to the gun.
Included is a Canadian-made wood stock/holster. The stock/holster has some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the stock/holster is in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Refinished. The frame has been force-matched to the slide and barrel.
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright and the rifling is pronounced. There is scattered light erosion and pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion the bore rates 6+/10.
Overall Condition: The pistol retains about 92% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is fairly evenly scattered minor surface erosion under the finish. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings range from clear to worn and incomplete, the frame's serial marking has been marked-over to match the slide and barrel. Overall, this pistol is in about Very Good condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this pistol. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box Paperwork and Accessories: This pistol comes with a single 13-round magazine and the stock/holster described above.
Our Assessment: This Inglis Hi-Power Mk. I* is a scarce and highly collectible wartime pistol produced under Canadian contract for Chinese Nationalist forces during World War II. Manufactured at the John Inglis Company in Toronto between 1944 and 1945, these Hi-Powers were part of a special Chinese military order for modern sidearms. Due to the nature of the contract, many examples like this one are marked with "CH" prefixes, tangent rear sights, slotted grip frames, and issued with wooden shoulder stocks-reflecting the original design specs drawn up for dual pistol/carbine use in the field. This particular example, serial number 3CH1231, retains those key contract features, including a dovetailed frame slot and a 500-meter adjustable tangent rear sight. The pistol shows honest, combat-era wear, retaining about 92% of its new blue finish with the frame over-stamped to match the serial number of the slide and barrel. This appears to have been done during a refurbish program, as the finish is matching between the assemblies and the import mark is struck through the finish. Most notably, this pistol includes its original Canadian-manufactured wooden shoulder stock, clearly marked "S.A. LTD. 1945" and "MADE IN CANADA", an uncommon and desirable addition that greatly increases its historical and collector value.
This Inglis Hi-Power is a living artifact from a unique Allied wartime alliance and reflects one of the few instances of North American Hi-Power production during World War II. For collectors of military pistols, Chinese contract weapons, or Hi-Power variants, this pistol with its original stock represents a rare opportunity to acquire a historically rich and complete set that tells the story of WWII's global reach and shifting alliances. Please see our photos and good luck!
