In addition, it was decided that a light, short-range (50m) PDW and a medium-range (150m) close-defense weapon weighing less than 6.6 pounds were needed. The mission of a new PDW was to be able to successfully penetrate this target. It should be noted here that the Russians developed and fielded helmets and vests utilizing titanium plates, so the implications are obvious. To digress slightly, FN has produced many non-Browning firearms and other products, such as motorcycles and automobiles, making the company one of the most important, vibrant firms of its time.Īs would be expected, this target was capable of defeating a standard 9mm NATO round. Despite modern advances that have been made in handguns, many by FN itself, the Hi-Power remains a favorite with many shooters and is still a viable military and self-defense arm. These Hi-Powers were subsequently manufactured in Canada by the John Inglis Company for use by British forces. Before the factory’s capture, however, FN sent the plans for the Hi-Power to Great Britain, which forwarded the designs to Canada. Retitled the Pistole Modell 640 (b) by the Germans, many thousands were turned out before war’s end. During World War II when the Germans overran Belgium, FN was forced to produce the P.35, along with other arms and equipment, for the Nazi war effort. The P.35 was made in a number of different variations and became popular with civilians as well as the military and police of many nations.

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