Hi Power Question

318is_Parabellum · 04-21-2014, 08:03 PM

I own two "Nazi" High Powers, a mid "a" block, and a late (s/n 200,xxx) no suffix. Both of mine are fixed sight models, and have WaA140 stampings. I'm no expert, but I've researched these and studied these pistols to a certain extent. I wouldn't call myself an "expert", but I know something about 'em.

I'm fairly certain that I've never seen a High Power that did not have the serial number stamped on the barrel, nor have I seen one with "mismatched" inspection stamps such as this one. If I recall correctly, WaA613 was the very early inspector for these, and only inspected the first few thousands of pistols taken into German service. WaA103 was next, and that inspection stamp was only used for a short while, and was superseded by the Wa140 inspection stamp/inspector.

It is my best guess that the barrel on the example you posted was replaced (for reasons unknown) by an earlier barrel (likely a spare part, as it lacks pre-war Belgian proofs). The example you posted obviously has the tangent sight, and if I recall correctly, under German supervision these tangent sighted slides and slotted frames were all produced before occupation and were used until they ran out, and then the fixed sight variant was produced exclusively.

An important question remains: is the example pictured slotted for a detachable stock? Given the s/n is in the 78,000 range, it shouldn't be.

04-21-2014, 08:03 PM	#3
318is_Parabellum User Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: West Virginia Posts: 130 Thanks: 80 Thanked 75 Times in 31 Posts	I own two "Nazi" High Powers, a mid "a" block, and a late (s/n 200,xxx) no suffix. Both of mine are fixed sight models, and have WaA140 stampings. I'm no expert, but I've researched these and studied these pistols to a certain extent. I wouldn't call myself an "expert", but I know something about 'em. I'm fairly certain that I've never seen a High Power that did not have the serial number stamped on the barrel, nor have I seen one with "mismatched" inspection stamps such as this one. If I recall correctly, WaA613 was the very early inspector for these, and only inspected the first few thousands of pistols taken into German service. WaA103 was next, and that inspection stamp was only used for a short while, and was superseded by the Wa140 inspection stamp/inspector. It is my best guess that the barrel on the example you posted was replaced (for reasons unknown) by an earlier barrel (likely a spare part, as it lacks pre-war Belgian proofs). The example you posted obviously has the tangent sight, and if I recall correctly, under German supervision these tangent sighted slides and slotted frames were all produced before occupation and were used until they ran out, and then the fixed sight variant was produced exclusively. An important question remains: is the example pictured slotted for a detachable stock? Given the s/n is in the 78,000 range, it shouldn't be. Last edited by 318is_Parabellum; 04-21-2014 at 09:54 PM. Reason: Ich bin ein grammatiker Nazi!