world war ll 45 cal hand gun

Question
QUESTION: I want to sell this gun, but I have no idea what to ask or the proceedure to sell it safly.

Description of ther gun
markings: Fabrique Nationale D'Armes
         DeGuerre
         Herstal-Belgique

         in the chammber  699
         on the side of the gun 28699
         near the trigger  699
    Condtion: Excellent , it has bin in a glass case for years no one as touch it
It appeares all parts are working

to me it was made in Belgem with a Brownig Patent Despose
it looks like a 45 caliber. Much like what I carried in the Army. I obtained this from my uncle who was in world War ll. Can you please get back to mw with a value ?

ANSWER: Mike,

I really don't have quite enough info to put a value on it.  If you can give me some more info that would be great.

Does the gun have anything that indicates caliber?  Look for numbers like 7.62mm or something like that on the slide.  Also, are there any symbols or symbol number combinations stamped on the slide or frame of the gun.

Fabrique Nationale D'Armes De Guerre is the manufacturer name, many times shorted to "FN".  They are still an active manufacturer.  Many pre-WWII guns manufactured in Belgium (Herstal, Belgique = city, country), are quite valuable.

The "Browning Patent" refers to the fact that the gun was manufactured using the original design by John Browning, which was the same design used for the Colt .45cal semi-auto pistol that most people recognize as the classic 'Army .45cal' sidearm.  In european made guns, the caliber would be different and expressed in 'millimeters', not 'caliber'

The number on the side of the gun is the serial number, with the numbers on the chamber and the trigger indicating that you have a matching numbers gun which is VERY good.  Without some additional info I can't exactly track the serial number, but it appears to be pre-WWII manufacture.

If you can give me a better overall description of the gun, it would help.  Does it have wood or plastic grips?  Can you find caliber markings?  Is there a designation "P-35" on the gun.  What proof marks does it have.  The proof marks are the most important as they will confirm the time of manufacture which I believe to be between 1935 and 1940.

As far as a procedure to sell it safely, you need to tell me your state of residence before I can help you on that one.  Firearms transfer laws vary widely from state to state.

Please get back to me on a follow up with more info and I can try and help you more...

Best regards,

Doug




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: there are small marks after the serial # "can not make them out.--- it has a plastic grip there is no caliber markings---- it seems a # was filed off near the trigger guard

Answer
Mike,

Without more info, I really can't tell you much more than I already have.  The fact that numbers have been filed off the gun are not a good sign either.  Any defacing of identification marks on any gun would have a negative effect on the value.

Is there any chance you can send me detailed, close up photos?  If you can, I might be able to compare it to some other photos and figure out what you've got.

If you send me an email, I can also send you a copy of a bill of sale that I suggest people use when they sell a firearm.

You can email pictures to:

doug=@=armedpersonal=defense.com

Be sure and remove the '=' signs when you send me the email.  I put that in so that automatic email harvesters can't pick up my email off this website.

Best regards,

Doug