Manufactured in Belgium in an isolated serial number block, under contract for the Ministry of Finance of the Belgian colony of the Congo circa 1958-1959. These pistols were ordered to arm both the 'Force Publique', which acted as local military and law enforcement, as well as customs advisors, administrators, and other Belgian officials stationed in the colony of the Congo. They were manufactured with three different slide markings, with "F.P." (Force Publique) for military/law enforcement issue, along with more scarce "Etat" (State) or "C.B" (Congo Belge) for issue to other officials, with this example being one of the latter. Shortly after these pistols were ordered, mutiny in the Force Publique resulted in the collapse of Belgian colonial rule in the Congo, with the nation gaining independence from Belgium in 1960. Detailed on pages 309 and 310 of his book "FN Browning Pistols: Side-Arms that Shaped World History", author Anthony Vanderliden notes that many of the Belgian Congo colonial contract High-Power pistols found on the market today likely came from the joint U.S., Belgian, and Congolese Operation Red Dragon held on November 24, 1964, in which civilian hostages were rescued and airlifted out of the Congo along with captured arms. Features fixed serrated blade front and notch rear sights, standard FN manufacturer's markings and Browning patent roll marked on the left of the slide, "C.B." (Congo Belge) over a wreathed "crown/Belgian lion" crest on top of the slide just ahead of the rear sight, integrated lanyard loop on the left of the grip frame, and matching serial numbers on the right side of the slide and frame, as well as the left of the barrel. The barrel, slide, and frame also bear "star/N" and "lion/PV" Belgian proofs. Fitted with a pair of checkered walnut grips with red painted interiors. This pistol is consecutively serial numbered to the following lot. Provenance: The Estate Collection of Charles Wagner

Very fine, retaining 80% plus original blue finish with plum coloration showing on the slide and frame, limited edge wear, minor spotting/freckling, limited pitting, some brown patina showing, and some mild handling marks. The grips are also very fine with crisp checkering, minor handling wear, and rich original oil finish. Mechanically excellent.