Clint and Matt from Classic Firearms unbox several surplus Browning Hi-Power 9mm pistols from FN Herstal, starting with the oldest, C&R-eligible examples. Matt explains that a Curio and Relic (C&R) license is a type of FFL intended for personal collecting, allowing eligible firearms to ship directly to the license holder’s home. The first pistols shown are early Browning Hi-Power “thumbprint” models, named for the distinctive recessed oval on the slide. The hosts are unsure of its original purpose and invite viewer input. These early pistols date from around the 1950s and feature internal extractors, which are located inside the slide near the rear of the ejection port, distinguishing them from later external-extractor versions that appear further along in the video.
The discussion turns to the internal extractor visible inside the slide on the early Hi-Power pistols. Matt notes that in Belgium, where FN manufactured these pistols, the Hi-Power was known as the “Grand Puissance,” reflecting its role as an advanced service pistol. The design is attributed to John Moses Browning, who worked with FN in Belgium after leaving Winchester in the United States. Historically, the Hi-Power represented a significant step forward in capacity compared to contemporaries like the 1911 and Luger, both with seven-round magazines. The Hi-Power offered a substantially higher capacity, with the hosts referencing a total of 15 rounds, which at the time contributed to its “high power” reputation in military and police service.
They compare condition grades available on the surplus thumbprint Hi-Powers. One pistol is described as “very good,” showing minimal bluing wear and only light blemishes, while another graded “good” exhibits more noticeable finish wear on the top of the slide. Both remain mechanically sound but reflect typical surplus use. The hosts also show “modified” thumbprint models, which may have been refinished, had new bluing applied, or received accessories such as lanyard loops and aftermarket Pachmayr grips. A pistol labeled “fair” shows substantial slide wear yet is still fully functional, making it suitable as a project gun for refinishing or for buyers who prioritize function over cosmetics. All of these early thumbprint pistols are noted as C&R eligible despite their varying conditions and modifications.
The video then moves to newer Browning Hi-Power pistols that are not C&R eligible. These later models feature external extractors on the right rear of the slide, a change that began in the late 1950s or early 1960s. The pistols also have spur hammers and very low-profile sights typical of their production era. The hosts highlight the crisp single-action trigger, describing a short take-up, a defined wall, and a clean break that is not extremely light but very precise. They compare slide markings between examples: one slide is marked with Fabrique Nationale Herstal Belgium and Browning patent information, while another is marked Browning Arms Company and identified as manufactured or assembled in Portugal. The segment emphasizes how surplus Hi-Powers were produced and marked for different markets across Europe and beyond.
Attention shifts to the Browning Hi-Power MKII pistols, which represent a later evolution of the platform. These MKII models retain the external extractor but add ambidextrous manual safeties, allowing operation from either side of the frame once the hammer is cocked. The pistols shown have plastic grips with molded thumb shelves or ledges on both sides, providing a more ergonomic rest for the thumb or supporting fingers. Some examples include lanyard loops at the base of the grip. The hosts note that while the slide stop is not fully ambidextrous, overall the MKII is close to ambidextrous in layout. They also remark that these pistols use steel frames rather than aluminum alloy, giving them a bit more weight. In 9mm, this added mass helps reduce felt recoil without making the pistol excessively heavy.
The unboxing continues with Browning Hi-Power MKIII pistols, described as the latest major iteration and recently discontinued. These MKIII models retain ambidextrous safeties but introduce dovetailed, higher-profile sights that are easier to see than the earlier low, integral sights. Some examples show remnants of white paint in the sight cuts, while others have the cuts but no remaining paint. Certain MKIII pistols have provisions for a lanyard loop at the bottom rear of the frame, allowing a ring to be added if desired. A notable subset of these MKIII pistols is star-marked, indicating issue to Israeli police forces. On these guns, a small Star of David with Hebrew characters appears on the frame above the trigger area, documenting their service history as Israeli police sidearms.
The final group shown consists of MKIII Hi-Power pistols that are mechanically identical to the previously discussed MKIII models but lack the Israeli star markings. These non–star-marked pistols still feature the updated sights, ambidextrous safeties, and other MKIII refinements. One example is noted as being in particularly clean condition, appearing almost unissued in terms of finish wear. The hosts reiterate their appreciation for the Hi-Power platform across its various generations, from early thumbprint C&R pistols with internal extractors to later MKII and MKIII surplus police guns. Throughout the video, they emphasize differences in markings, condition grades, and small configuration changes rather than performance claims, presenting the lineup as a broad cross-section of original Belgian-made and associated FN Browning Hi-Power 9mm surplus pistols.
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