history of manufacture

Question
I have a Fabrique Nationale "hi power", WW II Nazi marked, all parts have matching serial numbers (28586a). I was looking for a date of manufacture and if there is significance as I have not seen any reference to small script "a" in any of the information on the web. Browning's web site only goes back to the 50's for serial numbers. I could not find a Belgium site to inquire about the pistol. The gun has some unusual characteristics in finish and I believe they were done post war. This is one of the best shooting pistols I have ever fired and my current favorite, I have no intention of getting rid of it but I would like a little history and information about manufacture. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
Wade,

FN made three types of High Power design pistols during WWII.  The first would be a Waffenamt Proofed Type I.  It would carry a proof mark of WaA 613.  It would have a tangent type sight and would be slotted to accept a shoulder stock.  Here is the issue, the serial number range would be between 40,000 and 47,000 or 50,001 to 53,000.  Yours is obviously before that.  

For the sake of discussion, the Waffenamt Proofed Type II would have a tangent sight, but no slot for the shoulder stock.  It would carry a proof mark of either WaA613 or WaA140.  The Type III would have standard sights (the most common pistols) and would most likely carry a WaA140 proof mark.  Some of the Type IIIs also had an "Eagle N" type proof mark.

Pre-war Belgian High Power designs bear only the original Liege proof marks.  Again, based on the serial number and the Nazi markings you could have a very early WWII specimen, maybe late 1940 or early 1941.

I don't think I can tell you much more.  I hope this helps a bit.

Best regards,

Doug Little