peashooter85:

The Chinese contract Canadian Inglis Mark I Hi-Power,

The Browning Hi-Power pistol is perhaps one of the most famous semi-automatic pistols of the 20th century, which is still in common use with many military’s today.  It is especially unique in the fact that during World War II, both Allied and Axis powers used the pistol extensively.  

In Toronto, Canada the John Inglis Company manufactured a copy of of the Browning Hi-Power called the Mark I for Allied forces.  Two models were produced.  One was a standard pistol with fixed sights made for British and Canadian paratroopers, however another model was made under contract by the Chinese government.  At the time the Republic of China was in desperate need of arms due to its life and death struggle with Japan.  The Chinese contract Mark I was unique in that it came with a detachable buttstock (which also doubled as a holster), turning the pistol into a handy carbine or personal defense weapon.  Unlike other Hi-Powers, the Chinese contract had an adjustable rear sight which could be adjusted to a maximum distance of 500 meters.  Like other Browning Hi-Powers, it used a detachable magazine which held 13 rounds, and was chambered for 9mm Para.  All markings were in Chinese rather than English Roman alphabet.  They were produced between fall of 1944 up to the end of World War II.