While browsing the recently published catalog of the upcoming September 2019 Rock Island Premiere Firearms Auction, I came across two FN/Browning Hi-Power pistols (lots # 513 and #1679) manufactured by Fabrique Nationale for the Sultanate of Muscat & Oman. These pistols are identified by the coat of arms of this former state engraved on the right side of the slide.
Both of the lots consigned to the Rock Island Auction have 500-meter tangent rear sights, blade front sights, external extractors and matching serial numbers. Presumably, these are two of the 36 Hi-Power pistols roll engraved with the Muscat & Oman crest. In the description of these lots, Rock Island Action quotes an FN expert who said:
“The first nine pistols were roll marked with an error in the crest, the consequent 27 pistols had the correct crest,” and “there is no indication that these pistols were ever in or used by Oman”; instead, these pistols were sales samples used in an attempt to secure a contract.
Both of the Muscat & Oman Hi-Power pistol lots seen in Rock Island Auction catalog have the correct crests with the scabbard of the Khanjar dagger pointing to the left. One of the lots was also consigned with the shoulder stock/holster as shown below.
The estimated price ranges that each of these lots is likely to be sold at are as follows:
Lot 513: Muscat & Oman FN High Power Semi-Automatic Pistol — $1,600 – $2,500
Lot 1679: Muscat & Oman FN HP Pistol with Stock Holster and Box — $4,500 – $7,000
Images courtesy of Rock Island Auction Company, www.rockislandauction.com