What ifs

I was checking out these grips for the Browning Hi Power.  You know, that Hi Power is a relatively handsome gun.

It made me wonder... let's say John Browing lived until he was 101 instead of 71.  And let's say he was an active designer for the entire time, in full control of his faculties and just as good as ever the whole time.  And ALSO let's assume that HE finished the Hi-Power on his own and it looked pretty much as it does now.  Now, one further what-if...  What if the US Army said "the 1911 is good, but lets modernize the army pistol and bring it up to 1950 modern standards.  Design something new for us."

In 1955 he comes out with his final design submission.  What do you think it would look like?

He had the influence to maybe sway NATO to a new round, or to keep the .45ACP. 

I wonder how it would look.  Externalish extractor like on the 1903 Pocket Hammerless and Hi-Power?  How bout an improvement on the staked plunger tube of the 1911?  I know it would look good.  Elegant.  Moreso than the Hi-Power and 1911 that already look functional and elegant.  Look at the swooping sides of the Hi Power slide near the fore end.  Maybe this fantasy gun would have the .41 caliber I have longed for.

It would be expensive, as even in the 1950s the plastic revolution was far in the future, and machinists and final fitting by experts would almost certainly be required.  I'd still pay for that.   Could Browning have gone for an alloy frame?  Maybe...

That's the thing about what ifs.  No way to know what route a gunsmithing genius would have travelled.  And what of a John Browning Jr.  Designing guns into the 21st Century with the new materials available now.  We have inspired gunsmiths nowadays.  Gaston Glock is no slouch.  But is he in the same league.

Meh, I can wish in one hand and poop in the other and see which fills up first.