I have run across conflicting stories on this. When did the Inglis Hi Power enter service with British/Forces during WWII, and which units used them? I would guess that Paras and SAS got them first, but how much service did they actually see? Would they have seen service on D-Day or not until Market Garden or even Varsity?
Also, how long did Inglis (as opposed to FN/Browning) Hi Powers stay in British service? Did they stay in service alongside the Belgium-made pistols or were they phased out as the FN pistols became available. Considering that some parts (like the barrel) are not interchangeable, keeping both in service for an extended time might create some logistic headaches (but then again the same supply system was used to dealing with Webley, Enfield and S&W revolvers).
Finally, I know that Inglis ended production of the Hi Power in September 1945, but was the manufacture of spare parts continued, or was there a sufficient inventory of war production spares to sustain the pistols?
Also, how long did Inglis (as opposed to FN/Browning) Hi Powers stay in British service? Did they stay in service alongside the Belgium-made pistols or were they phased out as the FN pistols became available. Considering that some parts (like the barrel) are not interchangeable, keeping both in service for an extended time might create some logistic headaches (but then again the same supply system was used to dealing with Webley, Enfield and S&W revolvers).
Finally, I know that Inglis ended production of the Hi Power in September 1945, but was the manufacture of spare parts continued, or was there a sufficient inventory of war production spares to sustain the pistols?
