^Lot 2585 FINE & EXCEPTIONALLY EARLY BELGIAN BROWNING HI

POWER SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOL. Cal. 9x19mm. S# 70831. Bbl. 4 5/8". Hi Power semi-automatic pistol mfg. in Belgium by Fabrique Nationale and imported/retailed by Browning Arms company, circa. 1954-1957. Starting at approx. S# 70000, the Hi Power pistol began being commercially marked and imported by Browning Arms Company, with these pistols being amongst the very first Hi Powers commercial imported by Browning into the U.S. The left side of the slide is marked "BROWNING ARMS COMPANY ST LOUIS Mo./ MADE IN BELGIUM". The left side of the frame and slide, as well as the right side of the bbl. (on chamber) exhibit Belgian commercial proofs. Metal components exhibit a blue finish overall, save for on the bbl., which is polished in-the-white. 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 an internal extractor, fixed half-moon blade front sight, and dovetailed U-notch rear sight. All serialized parts are matching and include the frame, slide, and bbl. (left). MAGS: 1 13-rd. with aluminum follower, blued body, and black enamel finished button type floorplate. CONDITION: metal components retain the vast majority of their original factory blue finish, showing some spots of light edge wear, with few diminutive spots of freckling present on the grip straps. Brilliant mirror bore, exhibiting some spots of grease, while retaining well defined rifling throughout. Grips show some very light smoothing to the diamonds and a few minor superficial marks, but are otherwise excellent. A high condition example of one of the earliest Fabrique Nationale Hi Power pistols imported by Browning Arms Company. (25-4400/MLW). CURIO. $1,000-1,500.