Gaddafi's golden Browning

rolandtg · 02-04-2016, 12:02 PM

Whereabouts apparently known.

Interesting that when the end came that's what Gaddafi was carrying.
Seems like he would had access to plenty of other weapons.

A cliche ending for a cliche dictator.

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-35466077

John Sabato · 02-04-2016, 12:55 PM

A great article...Does anyone have any knowledge of what happened to the pistol that was carried by Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein at the time of his capture?

I have heard stories that it was brought back to the USA and presented to President George W. Bush by the commander of the unit that made the capture, but have never had any confirmation of that story...

rhuff · 02-04-2016, 02:23 PM

The man had good taste in TYPE of handgun......the gold is a bit much for me. Nice engraving. A true pimp gun, but likely worth a ton!!

Vlim · 02-04-2016, 03:00 PM

There is a very good change that it actually isn't an FN Hipower, but a Hungarian made FEG copy. FN was not allowed to deliver to Libya for a long time, due to the status as a 'Rogue state'.

rolandtg · 02-04-2016, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Sabato

A great article...Does anyone have any knowledge of what happened to the pistol that was carried by Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein at the time of his capture?

I have heard stories that it was brought back to the USA and presented to President George W. Bush by the commander of the unit that made the capture, but have never had any confirmation of that story...

A Glock? Practical sure, but hardly memorable.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/sadda...ry?id=12567141

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vlim

There is a very good change that it actually isn't an FN Hipower, but a Hungarian made FEG copy. FN was not allowed to deliver to Libya for a long time, due to the status as a 'Rogue state'.

Do the FEG's have an ambi safety? Looks like a MKIII to me.

Probably not factory engraved either way.

alanint · 02-04-2016, 05:34 PM

I'm pretty sure the President of Libya could have obtained a Browning High Power, should he have so desired. I agree that it is a MKIII, with the ambi safety. FEGs do not have ambi safeties, that I have seen.
The sad part is that the pistol will eventually be lost to history, as the recent photos show much wear from being carried often. Someone of the profile of the owner will eventually be bumped off and the pistol will disappear into the sands.

Vlim · 02-05-2016, 04:53 AM

Here are a left and right view of the Mauser Model 80 SA, which was also made by FEG and a straight copy of the FN.

FEG even produced FN clones with the FN trademarks on the slide for sales in the Middle East. This took place before 1991, in the old Eastern-Block years.

alanint · 02-05-2016, 08:14 AM

I have owned several FEGs over the years, including a Mauser marked example. I always found the moving parts a bit gritty and the fit and finish somewhat lacking, compared to the FN examples. Still, since I paid a fraction of what an FN HP costs, I could not complain.

rolandtg · 02-05-2016, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vlim

Here are a left and right view of the Mauser Model 80 SA, which was also made by FEG and a straight copy of the FN.

FEG even produced FN clones with the FN trademarks on the slide for sales in the Middle East. This took place before 1991, in the old Eastern-Block years.

Neat, I didn't know FEG made a Mauser-branded model.

mrerick · 02-05-2016, 01:43 PM

Article with photo:

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2...-power-pistol/

http://www.thewire.com/global/2011/1...en-guns/43938/

kurusu · 02-05-2016, 05:15 PM

That thing sure looks like a Browning product. It even has old John Moses face in it. And also has lhe late safety.

Diver6106 · 02-06-2016, 02:47 PM

Sadam had a series of AK-47s plated in gold. He would give them as gifts to special friends. At least one made it back to the US and belongs to the military's collection, probably Army. It was on display at DIA after the war. And I bet it ends up in the new US Army museum now under construction.
http://www.wired.com/2007/10/best-war-booty/

02-04-2016, 12:02 PM	#1
rolandtg User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 479 Thanks: 389 Thanked 265 Times in 114 Posts	Gaddafi's golden Browning Whereabouts apparently known. Interesting that when the end came that's what Gaddafi was carrying. Seems like he would had access to plenty of other weapons. A cliche ending for a cliche dictator. http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-35466077

02-04-2016, 12:55 PM	#2
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,156 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	A great article...Does anyone have any knowledge of what happened to the pistol that was carried by Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein at the time of his capture? I have heard stories that it was brought back to the USA and presented to President George W. Bush by the commander of the unit that made the capture, but have never had any confirmation of that story... __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

02-05-2016, 04:53 AM	#7
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,990 Times in 1,205 Posts	Here are a left and right view of the Mauser Model 80 SA, which was also made by FEG and a straight copy of the FN. FEG even produced FN clones with the FN trademarks on the slide for sales in the Middle East. This took place before 1991, in the old Eastern-Block years. Attached Thumbnails

02-05-2016, 01:43 PM	#10
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,920 Thanks: 1,377 Thanked 3,135 Times in 1,518 Posts	Article with photo: http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2...-power-pistol/ http://www.thewire.com/global/2011/1...en-guns/43938/ __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

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02-04-2016, 02:23 PM	#3
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,308 Thanks: 2,737 Thanked 993 Times in 729 Posts	The man had good taste in TYPE of handgun......the gold is a bit much for me. Nice engraving. A true pimp gun, but likely worth a ton!!

02-04-2016, 03:00 PM	#4
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,990 Times in 1,205 Posts	There is a very good change that it actually isn't an FN Hipower, but a Hungarian made FEG copy. FN was not allowed to deliver to Libya for a long time, due to the status as a 'Rogue state'.

02-04-2016, 05:34 PM	#6
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	I'm pretty sure the President of Libya could have obtained a Browning High Power, should he have so desired. I agree that it is a MKIII, with the ambi safety. FEGs do not have ambi safeties, that I have seen. The sad part is that the pistol will eventually be lost to history, as the recent photos show much wear from being carried often. Someone of the profile of the owner will eventually be bumped off and the pistol will disappear into the sands.

02-05-2016, 08:14 AM	#8
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	I have owned several FEGs over the years, including a Mauser marked example. I always found the moving parts a bit gritty and the fit and finish somewhat lacking, compared to the FN examples. Still, since I paid a fraction of what an FN HP costs, I could not complain.

02-05-2016, 05:15 PM	#11
kurusu User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,225 Thanks: 2,679 Thanked 930 Times in 509 Posts	That thing sure looks like a Browning product. It even has old John Moses face in it. And also has lhe late safety.

02-06-2016, 02:47 PM	#12
Diver6106 User Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Mt. Vernon VA Posts: 245 Thanks: 1,433 Thanked 117 Times in 75 Posts	Sadam had a series of AK-47s plated in gold. He would give them as gifts to special friends. At least one made it back to the US and belongs to the military's collection, probably Army. It was on display at DIA after the war. And I bet it ends up in the new US Army museum now under construction. http://www.wired.com/2007/10/best-war-booty/