Browning Arms made in Belgium with no asembled in Portugal mark on my new to me 1988 HP.
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It looks like it might be a transitional model. It has the Millett rear sight like my 1991 model, but it doesn't have the dovetail front sight yet. It also doesn't have the extended ambi safety. Mine is a very early MKIII marked "Portugal", but yours could be a very late MKII. It would be interesting to see the shape of the barrel feed ramp.
Nice specimen!
Nice specimen!
Thanks for replying. The feed ramp is straight, not humped, and this HP does have a firing pin safety.
Here's a pretty good thread on variations:
Hi Power Feed Ramp
Would a 1989 production Browning have the newest style feed ramp configuration? damajret
www.handgunsandammunition.com
Welcome, by the way!
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That gun is mint. Very cool.
Thanks guys! I already ran 250rds through it with no problems. I have no idea if the previous owner/owners fired it much. Now I'm looking for replacement wood grips that are as thick as the factory grips. The gun came with an extra set of Hogue wood grips, but those grips are fairly thin, and my left thumb wants to ride the slide stop which can/did activate the slide stop with rounds still in the magazine. The factory grips are just thick enough so my left thumb rests below the slide stop and that worked well. Range pic. attached.
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I like the factory wood grips so much that I replaced the slimmer factory plastic grips on my 2010 model with factory wooden ones. You used to be able to get factory spares at MidwayUSA when they were still in production. Now, you might have to resort to Gunbroker or eBay.
CZ makes a great pistol. The only one that ever fit me was the P-01 with the re-curved trigger, and I love it. I could never comfortably reach the DA trigger on a standard one. I have relatively large hands (med-lg), but you need bear mitts to handle the bigger ones.
If you were able to trade straight-up for that HP, you came out wayyy ahead
It is my understanding that all 1980 and later High Powers were assembled in Portugal. However, it appears that all of them did not have the Assembled in Portugal roll mark. I was just reading an earlier post that said the Retro models did not have the Portugal roll mark, so does that mean my 1988 HP is possibly a limited edition Retro model? Someone out there has the correct answer I hope.
I found this thread that sounds like my original question.
1988 BHP Slide Mark
1988 BHP Slide Mark
Sounds like you answered your question
At the end of the day, it's worth whatever the market would bear after a 7 or 14 day auction at any given time.
I guess they continued manufacturing the parts in Belgium, but it was cheaper to ship them to Portugal to have them assembled. Some kinda deal, huh?I remember reading something about the meaning of "Assembled in Portugal", but can't remember what it meant!
Both of my MKIIIs were assembled in Portugal, and they both shoot great. I'm sure the pure Belgian HPs will always be worth more, but I have nothing against the Portuguese
I found another one just like mine with the Assembled in Portugal missing roll mark. The serial number is within 100 of my serial number. https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/956866639
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It has been said, and probably is gospel, that sometime from the late ‘70s through the end of production ALL High Powers were assembled at the FN plant in Portugal. The ONLY difference is the ‘Assembled in Portugal’ legend on some of the pistols sold through Browning USA.I guess they continued manufacturing the parts in Belgium, but it was cheaper to ship them to Portugal to have them assembled. Some kinda deal, huh?
Both of my MKIIIs were assembled in Portugal, and they both shoot great. I'm sure the pure Belgian HPs will always be worth more, but I have nothing against the Portuguese
If you run across a really nice Browning pistol marked in such a manner which was seriously discounted in price due to the snobbery of purists… it’s a must buy!
Cheers,
Tim
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