CANADIAN BROWNING HIGH POWER EXPERIMENTAL 9MM SN# 8T2367
Manufactured by John Inglis Co., Toronto, Canada in 1948 - Experimental Canadian made Browning Hi-Power with alloy frame and with lightening cuts and flutes on sides and top of slide to reduce weight. Parkerized steel and black anodized aluminum frame. Only 6 of these were manufactured. Testing demonstrated that the lightweight alloy frames proved incapable of withstanding repeated firing. Backstrap of frame has been polished otherwise weapon is complete with 13-round detachable box magazine and in excellent condition. This specimen was used in penetration tests at the Springfield Armory.

Markings:
Slide: BROWNING FN 9MM HP INGLIS, CANADA. Right side of slide and barrel: 8T2367.
Magazine: JI.

Weapon transferred to the Museum on 2 July 1951.

Notes: "One of the rarest Inglis-Browning pistols is the lightweight experimental. A run of approximately 50 frames (it is now believed only 6 were fully assembled) were made of an aluminium alloy. These usually bear special frame numbers on the bottom of the frame behind magazine well. They were made up into guns using regular production steel parts but the slides were 'dished out' on both sides and on top to remove as much excess weight as possible. They represent an attempt to combine acceptable durability and reliability with the considerably decreased weight desireable in an air force survival weapon. Their grips were made of flat, checkered wood which was lighter than the normal issue plastic. Numerous variations of the dishing of the slide and the checkering of the grips have been observed.
The project was not considered successful as the lightweight alloy frames proved incapable of withstanding repeated firing. Very few of these pistols are still in existence." - R. Blake Stevens

See, Hoggs & Weeks, PISTOLS OF THE WORLD, pg. 101.

References:
Hogg, Ian & John Weeks. PISTOLS OF THE WORLD. Rev. 3rd Ed. DBI Books, Inc. Northbrook, Il. 1992.
Stevens, R. Blake. HISTORICAL ARM SERIES NO. 15. THE INGLIS-BROWNING HI-POWER PISTOL. Museum Restoration Service. 1979.

SA-MR20-2100 - "EFFECTIVE PENETRATION RANGE OF 9 M/M PARABELLUM AMMUNITION." 08/24/1948. This experimental Browning Hi-Power was used in this test. According to the report - "The Canadian 9 m/m parabellum (1250 f.s. velocity) penetrated the M1 helmet at 130 yards, but due to lack of longer facilities was not fired beyond this point....CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the Canadian 9 m/m parabellum ammunition with the 1250 f.s. velocity, had a longer range penetration power than any of the other ammunition tested."

"BRANCH OF THE QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL, OTTAWA, CANADA, REPORT BY DIRECTORATE OF ARMAMENT DEVELOPMENT ON PISTOLS, BROWNING FN 9MM, HP NO. 2 MK. 1/1 CANADIAN LIGHTWEIGHT PATTERN." Connaught Ranges, Ontario, Valcartier, Quebec. Jun-Jul. 1948.