The Browning High Power (originally Fabrique Nationale Modele 1935 pistole automatique, Grande Puissance; also known as HP, BHP, P-35 and GP) is a single-action self-loading pistol produced by the Belgian Fabrique Nationale de Herstal (FN) since 1935. It was designed by the American inventor John Browning and, following Browning's death in 1926, was completed by Dieudonné Saive at FN Herstal.
It was the first pistol design to successfully integrate a double-stack magazine. During the World War II, it was highly sought after by countries of both Allied Forces and Axis Powers.
It was once amongst the mostly widely adopted handguns in the world. In 1954, the British Army adopted it as the L9, replacing the Webley service revolver as the standard sidearm of the British Forces. The post-1962 Hi-Power design would be adopted by the British as the L9A1, phasing out the older L9 pistols in the progress. During the Cold War, its volume was only rivaled by Communist countries’ Makarov PM.
Browning Hi-Power’s decline in use began in the late 1970s, when "Wonder Nine”-type pistols (like Beretta 92 and SIG P226) started to emerge and took an even bigger hit when the Glock 17 ushered in the polymer pistol era. In 2013, the British Army replaced the L9A1 with a fourth generation Glock 17 (designated L131A1).
Although it is not in as much widespread use as it used to, the pistol still has a sizable following.
History[]
Dr. No[]
Mr. Jones keeps a Browning Hi-Power in the glovebox of his Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible, but James Bond stops him before he can reach his gun.
On Her Majesty's Secret Service[]
Ernst Stavro Blofeld uses a Hi-Power during the bobsled chase.
The Man with the Golden Gun[]
Rodney uses a suppressed Browning Hi-Power during the pre-title sequence.
For Your Eyes Only[]
Karageorge uses a Hi-Power during the raid on the Albanian warehouse.
License to Kill[]
The Hi-Power was used by Colonel Heller during a raid against Kwang and his allies. Upon entering the building, which had been almost destroyed by tank shells, Heller encountered Loti, who attempted to attack his men, causing Heller to shoot and kill Loti with his Hi-Power, before he and Franz Sanchez continued to explore the building.
Casino Royale[]
During his chase, James Bond manages to take a Browning Hi-Power from the desk of the embassy worker, which he held to the back of Mollaka's head. However, when he was surrounded, Bond surrendered the Browning Hi-Power and gave up Mollaka, only to then draw his Walther P99 and shoot Mollaka in the heart, before shooting a gas canister and escaping in the chaos, leaving the Browning Hi-Power behind.
No Time to Die[]
At James Bond's residence in Jamaica, he kept a Browning Hi-Power in his drawer, along with newspaper cuttings about the arrest of Ernst Stavro Blofeld, and his sentencing.
Specifications[]
- Production: since 1935
- Type: Pistol
- Weight: 1 kg (2.2 lb)
- Length: 197 mm (7.8 in)
- Barrel length(s): 119 mm (4.7 in)
- Capacity: 13-15 rounds
- Fire Modes: Semi-Auto
Later Mk.III models will be listed under Browning Hi-Power Mk.III.
Gallery[]
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