Help me identify this Browning handgun - The Firearms Forum

Rickrock · 08-15-2012, 06:44 PM

Greetings everyone,
I am looking over the side arm my father had during WWII and I'm trying to figure out its worth, history and such.
There are no English or American inscriptions on the handgun, yet it is built on the Browning 1911 type frame and does have the Browning named stamped once on the side frame. It is a 9mm.

Inscriptions are this:
Fabrique Nationale D'Armes De Guerre
Herstal Beloique
Browning's Patent Depose

These numbers are noted on the side frame:
WOA 140 - I know the first is a W, O and the A are guess and 140 is correct

These numbers are on ever moving part of the gun:
860 45a

Here is the odd part, off to the right lower corner of the numbers WOA 140, is what looks like an eagle with his wings spread open, his head is looking off to the left and it is standing on a round ball. But inside the ball, "looks" like a German swatztica?

Any ideas or suggestions would be great,
Rick

BillM · 08-15-2012, 06:51 PM

9mm? Most likely a nazi marked Browning Hi-Power. Pictures would be helpful.

Welcome to the forum.

woolleyworm · 08-15-2012, 07:32 PM

Does it look like this? If so, then Bill hit the nail on the head. Welcome to TFF too!

Jim K · 08-15-2012, 09:46 PM

The marking is the German eagle over WaA 140. 140 is the number assigned to the German WaffenAmt (WaA) officer responsible for inspection and acceptance of FN made guns for the occupying Geman army. According to Vanderlinden's book, he occupied that position from late 1941 to the liberation of Belgium. His actual name is unknown.

Jim

WHSmithIV · 08-18-2012, 02:32 AM

I can unequivocally tell you that this piece is in very good condition overall. You can expect a value of well over $1,000 on the open market. I wouldn't expect to see it go for more about $2,500 though. You could realize up to around $3,500-$4,000 at an auction depending on the buyers.

Jim K · 08-18-2012, 09:07 PM

Hi, WHSmithIV,

What piece? The one shown in WW's picture is not the one the OP is asking about. We have not seen a pic of Rickrock's pistol, or even his confirmation that it is a high power.

Jim

WHSmithIV · 08-18-2012, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim K

Hi, WHSmithIV,

What piece? The one shown in WW's picture is not the one the OP is asking about. We have not seen a pic of Rickrock's pistol, or even his confirmation that it is a high power.

Jim

Thanks Jim,

I noticed the pic believing it to be the pistol described. So, I am in error here. Otherwise the the values I've stated for the described pistol would be consistent with the quality of the pistol in the picture from the auction prices I have seen achieved.

Thank you for pointing out my error. I hope he posts some photos of the pistol he's asked about.

Will

08-15-2012, 06:44 PM	#1
Rickrock Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 1	Help me identify this Browning handgun Greetings everyone, I am looking over the side arm my father had during WWII and I'm trying to figure out its worth, history and such. There are no English or American inscriptions on the handgun, yet it is built on the Browning 1911 type frame and does have the Browning named stamped once on the side frame. It is a 9mm. Inscriptions are this: Fabrique Nationale D'Armes De Guerre Herstal Beloique Browning's Patent Depose These numbers are noted on the side frame: WOA 140 - I know the first is a W, O and the A are guess and 140 is correct These numbers are on ever moving part of the gun: 860 45a Here is the odd part, off to the right lower corner of the numbers WOA 140, is what looks like an eagle with his wings spread open, his head is looking off to the left and it is standing on a round ball. But inside the ball, "looks" like a German swatztica? Any ideas or suggestions would be great, Rick -->

08-15-2012, 06:51 PM	#2
BillM V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Amity Orygun Posts: 380	Re: Help me identify this Browning handgun 9mm? Most likely a nazi marked Browning Hi-Power. Pictures would be helpful. Welcome to the forum.

08-15-2012, 07:32 PM	#3
woolleyworm TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Fort Worth Contributor Posts: 4,883	Re: Help me identify this Browning handgun Does it look like this? If so, then Bill hit the nail on the head. Welcome to TFF too! __________________ . What are you gonna do, talk the alien to death? -- (on Sigourney Weaver's worry about Guns in Aliens) "Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands." "I carry a small gun to compensate for my huge Blue press." .

08-15-2012, 09:46 PM	#4
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: Help me identify this Browning handgun The marking is the German eagle over WaA 140. 140 is the number assigned to the German WaffenAmt (WaA) officer responsible for inspection and acceptance of FN made guns for the occupying Geman army. According to Vanderlinden's book, he occupied that position from late 1941 to the liberation of Belgium. His actual name is unknown. Jim

08-18-2012, 02:32 AM	#5
WHSmithIV Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Moore, Idaho contributor Posts: 2,634	Re: Help me identify this Browning handgun I can unequivocally tell you that this piece is in very good condition overall. You can expect a value of well over $1,000 on the open market. I wouldn't expect to see it go for more about $2,500 though. You could realize up to around $3,500-$4,000 at an auction depending on the buyers.

08-18-2012, 09:07 PM	#6
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: Help me identify this Browning handgun Hi, WHSmithIV, What piece? The one shown in WW's picture is not the one the OP is asking about. We have not seen a pic of Rickrock's pistol, or even his confirmation that it is a high power. Jim