^Lot 1529 HIGH CONDITION BELGIAN ARMY CONTRACT FABRIQUE

NATIONALE HIGH POWER SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOL. Cal. 9mm Luger. S# 37650. Bbl. 4 5/8". High Power semi-automatic pistol mfg. by Fabrique Nationale under contract for the Belgian army circa. 1939-1940. The left side of the slide is marked "FABRIQUE NATIONALE D'ARMES DE GUERRE/ HERSTAL BELGIQUE/ BROWNING'S PATENT DEPOSE" above Belgian military and commercial proofs. Left side of the frame is also marked with Belgian military and commercial proofs, with the addition of a Crown/PH on the frame and on the forward trigger guard web. Metal components exhibit a blue finish overall, save for on the bbl., which is polished in-the-white. Slotted frame is mounted with 2-piece checkered wood grips, which feature red anti-moisture barrier paint on the interior of the panels. Thumbprint slide features a dovetailed blade front sight, with a tangent V-notch rear sight, graduated 50-500. All serialized parts are matching and include the frame, slide and bbl. MAGS: 1 phosphate 13-rd. mag. with blued split tail floorplate, marked with Belgian military proofs on the spine. CONDITION: metal components retain the majority of their original factory blue finish, exhibiting some spots of light to mild wear and thinning that show through to gray patina (primarily on edges and front of trigger guard bow), with some scattered superficial handling marks present overall. Right side of the slide exhibits a small concentrated spot of light pitting towards the muzzle. Very bright to mirror bore, exhibiting some areas of hardened grease, possibly some light pitting (indeterminate due to hardened grease), while retaining well defined rifling throughout. Grips show mild smoothing, as well as some scattered marks from handling and storage, but otherwise remain sturdy and serviceable. PROVENANCE: The Estate Collection of Charles Wagner. (25-421/MLW). CURIO. $1,750-2,250.