High Standard Series 104 Slant Grip Frame Pistols

The series 104 pistols were introduced in 1963.  There were four models in this series:  Trophy, Citation, Olympic, and Victor, with several catalog number variations for each model.  The Trophy pistols began shipping in 1963, and the Citation and Olympic models began in 1964.  The Victor did not appear until 1973.  This article shows representative examples of the four models.  The 104 series was slightly changed from the 103 series.  The changes were mostly internal for production efficiency.  The early guns had the same frame contour as the series 102 and 103.  Later on, about the time of the introduction of the series 106 military grip frame guns in 1965, the frames were changed to remove the curved section above the trigger guard.  The frames were made with a straight cut above the trigger guard.  This is the same design as the frames on the series 106, and the still later series 107 and 108 pistols.  This change made it easier (and more economical) to machine the frames for all the pistols.  Details of catalog numbers for the series 104 pistols can be found in the Blue Book of Gun Values.

 

Supermatic Trophy

The 104 Trophy was produced only from 1963 through some part of 1965.  These pistols included the 5.5 inch bull barrel model (Cat.No. 9254), and the 7.25 inch fluted barrel version (Cat.No. 9455).  These pistols were shipped with a muzzle brake, 2 and 3 ounce weights, and an extra magazine.  They were produced with a highly polished finish which is often termed “superblue”.   These are truly beautiful guns.  The Trophy pistols were the top of the line in the series 102, 103, and 104 series.  After production of the 104 Trophy ceased, a buyer could obtain a Trophy in the series 106 line. The series 106 Trophy pistols were also highly polished and are also desirable to collectors.  The finish of the pistols gradually became less polished over the years during production of the series 107 and 108 pistols. 

Click on the photos for larger images

The pistol in this article was made in 1963.  It is a catalog number 9254, 5.5 inch bull barrel gun, and exhibits a nice polished finish.  The grips are checkered walnut with a thumbrest and large eagle logo medallions.

Supermatic Citation

The 104 Citation was the lower level .22 LR target gun in this series.  The finish was not as polished as the Trophy pistols, but was still a handsome gun.  This model had four catalog numbers of various configurations. 

 

 

This Citation is a catalog number 9244, 5.5 inch bull barrel gun with checkered walnut thumbrest grips and whirlwind logo medallions.  This gun was not shipped with accessories.  The pistol was made in 1972 and was exported to Europe.  It was re-imported to the U.S. recently.  The gun was fired very little and probably spent many years in a safe.  The original box and paperwork are still with the pistol. 

ISU Olympic

The 104 ISU Olympic was the .22 short offering in this series.  There were four catalog numbers in this series.  There were models with 5.5 inch, or 6.75 inch barrels.  The first guns had accessories and the later guns were shipped without accessories.  That is the reason for the catalog number changes.  The 6.75 inch barrels guns have the integral stabilizer. 

 

 

 

This Olympic is a catalog number 9237 and was made in 1969.  It has the 6.75 inch barrel with checkered walnut grips and trigger logo medallions.  This gun appears to be unfired since it left the factory. 

The Victor

 

The series 104 slant grip Victor is one of the more desirable guns for many collectors.  The Victor pistols, both slant grip and military grip angles, were produced to fill the demand for a pistol with a full length rib with sights.  The Victor competed with the Trophy as the top model for target shooting.  The slant grip versions were produced in relatively few numbers from 1973 and 1974, with perhaps a few more in the ML serial number range.  John Stimson wrote an excellent article concerning the slant grip Victors which was printed in the HSCA newsletter, Volume 19, number 2.  That article will give the reader a lot of useful information concerning these guns. 

The steel ribs on these pistols were modified at the rear by grinding off the curved section of the rib below the rear sight.  Otherwise the ribs are the same as found on the military grip angle Victors.  Most of the 5.5 inch barrels steel rib guns were not shipped with a barrel weight, but one was available from the factory.  The weight would have been the same as used on the 5.5 inch military grip angle Victors with the steel ribs. 

 

This Victor is a catalog number 9219, a 5.5 inch barreled gun with a steel vent rib.    It was made in Lot 2 of the slant grip Victors, which went into production on August 13, 1973.  The grips are checkered walnut with a thumbrest, but no medallions. 

One of the interesting things about the series 104 pistols is that the grip medallions used in this timeframe included the large eagle logo, the trigger logo, the whirlwind logo, and, finally, no medallion.  The medallion type is linked to the production dates, but I don’t know of information that pins down the transition date from one type to the next.  The military grip frame guns did not use medallions in the grips, so the use of medallions was also phased out of the slant grip frame pistols by about mid-1973.  It is reported that some of the first slant grip Victors had whirlwind medallions in the grips.

HSCA Newsletter, Jan. 2017

The January, 2017 HSCA Newsletter was mailed on January 3 to the current 2017 HSCA members. Let me know if you do not receive your issue.  - Ken