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Make: Inglis, imported by Down East Antiques & Collectibles (DEAC)
Model: No. 2 MK. I* (like Hi Power)
Serial Number: 2T4
Year of Manufacture: 1944
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Automatic Pistol fed by Detachable Magazine
Barrel Length: 4 3/4"
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a serrated, tapered blade dovetailed and staked to a boss integral to the slide. The rear sight is a square notch integral to a boss at the rear of the slide.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered black panels. The left panel is relieved at the bottom-rear corner for the installed lanyard ring. The grips have light handling wear with some small nicks and scratches. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Phosphate
Finish Originality: Original, numbers match.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is erosion and minor pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates about 6/10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 65% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is scattered finish wear, mostly consistent with handling and holster use. There are some other scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this pistol. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: This pistol comes with a single after-market magazine. We were only able to load seven rounds in the magazine and the follower stuck in the body during unloading.
Our Assessment: Originally developed as "Le Grand Rendement" (the High Efficiency), with some input from John Browning and most design evolution from Dieudonne Saive, Browning's assistant at FN, the "Grande Puissance" would be put into production in 1935, now known as the High Power. Referring not to the power of the cartridge, but rather to its capacity of 13 rounds in the magazine, this new model would carry nearly double the ammunition of its contemporary military sidearms. High Powers went on to see service with a number of nations, widespread commercial sales, and have a number of variations that make them attractive to collectors.
With the occupation of Belgium in 1940, key personnel from FN escaped to England where the Belgian Government-in-Exile was headquartered and Mr. Saive worked hard to reproduce drawings of the High Power from memory and from sample pre-war pistols furnished by the British government. Saive and his crew were whisked away to Toronto where they helped set up production at the Inglis factory with the pistols designated the Mk. I. Early No. 1 pistols retained a stock-slot and tangent rear sight, but the design was simplified for the No. 2, eliminating the slot and opting for a simple fixed rear sight. Many of the pistols were made for the Nationalist Chinese army, but there were also many produced for Canadian forces which continued to issue them as their standard sidearm into the early 2020s.
This example is a Canadian issued No. 2 MK. I* produced in 1944. The pistol retains original finish and matching numbered parts, though it does have an import mark on the bottom of the frame behind the magazine well. It currently has an after-market limited-capacity magazine, but Inglis magazines are still fairly easy to find if you want to get a correct one. This pistol will make a nice addition to a WWII small arms collection, but should also still prove to be a fun shooter. Good luck and happy bidding!