Fabrique Nationale FN GP35 / High-Power

The FN GP35 ("GP" standing for "Grande Puissance" in French) or Browning High-Power (HP or Hi-Power), is based on the American Colt M1911, which incidentally was also designed by famed American gunsmith John Browning. The GP35 / High-Power was Browning's last design before passing away in 1926, leaving the GP35 / High-Power in the hands of Fabrique Nationale's chief designer Dieudonne Saive (Browning was known to work with the FN firm quite a bit in his later days). Saive went on to rework the original striker design on the High-Power to a more traditional hammer mechanism. The GP35 / High Power was fitted with a "double-stack" 13-round magazine utilizing the 9x19mm Parabellum round.

With the depression in full swing all over the world, the release of the GP35 / Browning High-Power would be delayed until 1935 (hence the GP "35" designation) to go into full-scale production. Years later, the factories producing the GP35 / High-Power in Belgium would fall under Nazi control and the GP35 / High-Power would be redesignated Pistole 640(b) in the German inventory. After the Nazi defeat, the FN factories would revert back to full-scale production of the Browning as the GP35 / High-Power designation.

During the war, the original design would end up being smuggled to and utilized by Allied forces including the British (for use by airborne elements) and Canada (for indigenous production and Chinese export production). The weapon would earn a reputation for reliability and capability.

Variations of the GP35 / High-Power can be found with different trigger systems, fixed sights, adjustable rear sights and an attachable fixed wooden holster stock to improve aim. Later production models can be seen chambered for .40 Smith & Wesson ammunition or .357 SIG ammunition.

As a final design, John Browning left a lasting legacy of gunsmithing and the GP35 / High-Power is no exception. The weapon has proven to be as reliable and serviceable as advertised and is still in production in some form or another today.

Variants of the GP35 / High-Power include:
GP35/P35 - French designation
High-Power/Hi-Power Standard - Base model
High-Power/Hi-Power Practical
L9A1 - Militarized Version
Mark I
Mark II
Mark III
Capitan
HP-SFS - Safe-Fast-Shooting Model
Detective - Featuring short slide mechanism.
DA Model
DAO Model
BDM Model

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