unknown rare FN Hipower GP35 Lithuanian contract, frame stamped instaed of slide stamped

[paco]

Hi,
I recently got a call to check out a strange pistol. Well i got calls every week but this sounded a bit odd.
So, i got this FN Hipower pistol (we call it a GP35). It has NO serials and no proofmarks. Ok so far, i have several luchbox pistols in my collection...
But, then i saw Pillars of Gediminas on the side instead of on the slide.
It took me some time to realise this is a Lithuanian service pistol. But, the regular Lithuanian pistols have there pillars on the slides. This is the first i see that has the pillars on the frame...

So, what's the story on this one? O, the inserted magazine was a nazi WAa103 mag...
I first thought it was a mixed gun made out of spareparts but soon i found out it was more then that.
The owner is OK to me and has no reasons to cheat.

Any idea's?














Paco

[harryamb2]

nice looking pistol.

[lithgow]

It would have to be made up from prewar parts-no proofs or serial no.s says it was never 'completed'-if it was a prototype/sales demonstrator for Lthuania, it would still have to be completed-even if it was a German supplied example to a WW2 Lithuanian 'Quisling' unit, it'd still be serialed IMHO. A puzzle.

[paco]

Yep, strange but interesting pistol.
The finish is egaly worn off. The slidestop has a special ringed pin (left side). Never seen those cirkels on a slidestop.

[guns ltd]

Very Nice Pistol.



John

[andrzej]

Paco, indeed this is a unique Lithuanian High Power.

I would recommend posting this on Luger Gunboards forum, there you are very likely to get an opinion from Anthony Vanderlinden. He is a recognized authority on these pistols and author. It would be interesting to find out what he thinks.

[paco]

I worked with him on his FN pistol book ; )
I know him, mailed but no respond yet, buzy?
paco

[paco]

Anthony reacted today, he know what it is and it is special. More news will follow asap. He's buzzy at the moment...
Exiting ; )

[paco]

[paco]

I got an answer of Mr A. Vanderlinden, author of the Browning Belgian Pistols. I quote...

"When FN makes contracts, they make several samples of the crest for the buying commission to approve... these guns never leave the factory and are either kept or destroyed later. I know that the Germans put those guns in circulation.

I believe that you have one of these crest samples. Of course I did not see it in hand, so make sure that it is not a modern crest laser edged onto a rare gun... the small parts acceptance on the frame is also an indication that the accepting commission approved the frame.

To me, it is a rare piece of industrial history. Certainly it never went to Lithuania but everything that survives in prototype stages is interesting...."