1228 FANTASTIC PREWAR ESTONIAN POLICE PISTOL, SPECIAL

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[?]Live Online Auction Starts In 2025 May 08 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 5,000.00 USD
Estimated at 10,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD
FACTORY MARKING. Cal. 9mmP (9mm Luger). S# 1. This extraordinary HP pistol is the first Estonian HP ever produced and discussed in detail in the Vanderlinden book "The FN Browning Pistols" 3rd edition, Vol II on pg 715. It was manufactured in 1936 as part of the first Estonian order for 120 police pistols, which were numbered in ascending order and delivered without special markings, otherwise appearing as commercial guns (commercial HPs with serial numbers 1-5 were not finished, presumably due to manufacturing issues). Interestingly, this particular gun is marked with an underlined "20" under the rear sight, FN's manner of indicating the gun was a prototype or to be retained by the factory. This HP is identical to the Commercial #46, as detailed/photographed in the Vanderlinden book on pg 696, with respect to its markings, proofs, caliber denotation, and serial number, being an all-matching example with the barrel number on the left (hidden) side of the chamber. Fitted with walnut checkered/bordered grips and a Prewar Belgian Army magazine having an aluminum follower, phosphate body whose spine was marked with the encircled "H" and a rust blued floorplate. CONDITION: very good original rust blue finish with sharp edge wear, dulling and scuffing as one might expect from a pistol that has seen considerable handling and use over many years. Dull bore with easily discernable rifling. Correct manual mechanics. A singular opportunity to buy the first Estonian Police High Power pistol, this example marked with an underscored "20" that identifies the gun as a prototype or sample to be retained, a real gem for the most advanced HP collector! PROVENANCE: the Estate Collection of Charles Wagner. (25-1632/LA). CURIO. $10,000-20,000.