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SELDOM ENCOUNTERED CONGOLESE MINISTRY OF FINANCE

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
SELDOM ENCOUNTERED CONGOLESE MINISTRY OF FINANCE
CONTRACT FABRIQUE NATIONALE HIGH POWER SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOL. Cal. 9x19mm. S# 1-0696. Bbl. 4 5/8". High Power semi-automatic pistol, mfg. in Belgium by Fabrique Nationale under contract for the Belgian Congo's Ministry of Finance circa. 1958-1959. The left side of the slide is marked "FABRIQUE NATIONALE D'ARMES DE GUERRE/ HERSTAL BELGIQUE", above "BROWNING'S PATENT DEPOSE", with the S# marked on the right. Top rear of slide is marked "C.B." (Congo Belge) above a crowned Belgian lion surmounted by a laurel leaf wreath, indicating issue to the Congolese Ministry of Finance. Left side of frame is marked with a Crown/52 proof on the forward trigger guard web. Metal components exhibit a blue finish overall, save for on the bbl., which is polished in-the-white. Frame is mounted with 2-piece checkered wood grips, which feature correct red moisture barrier paint on the interior of the panels. Half-moon blade front sight, with fixed V-notched rear sight. All serialized parts are matching and include the frame, slide, and bbl. MAGS: one 13-rd. CONDITION: very good, with metal components retaining the majority of their original factory blue finish, exhibiting light to mild edge wear that shows through to gray patina, some superficial handling marks, as well as areas of light to mild surface oxidation overall. Very bright bore, exhibiting consistent mild pitting, with some darker pitting present towards the chamber, while retaining well-defined rifling throughout. Grips show some light smoothing, as well as a few scattered marks and small impressions from handling and storage, but otherwise remain sturdy and serviceable. Belgian Congo Hi-Power pistols are seldom encountered in and of themselves, with even fewer examples known with the "C.B" Ministry of Finance marking, further adding to the scarcity and collectability of this example. PROVENANCE: the estate collection of Charles Wagner. (24-4653/MLW). CURIO. $2,000-3,000.