Release date for Currie's book

 John Currie's High Standard book

is scheduled for release

at the Tulsa show.

Table location is not yet assigned.

Following Tulsa, it will be listed on Amazon.

No pre-release copies are available.

Updates will be posted on this Blog.

 John Currie's book

HIGH STANDARD FIREARMS HISTORY

1932-1984 CONNECTICUT

This well written 340 page book delivers exactly what its title promises. It traces the 52 year history of the High Standard Company and its firearms. It begins with a pre-history of the people and the products of the Fiala and Hartford Arms companies and continues through the final chapter of the company which was officially dissolved in December 1984.

This book is unique in its preservation of information based on first person interviews with the company’s designers and engineers by John Currie in his three decade quest for information.  There are scores of photos of the people, their prototypes and rare and commercial firearms. Graphs and illustrations give dates of manufacture and numbers of firearms produced with charts listing every Model Number/ Number Produced/ Years Produced and Serial Number Range.  Truly a "Collectors Guide" for High Standard derringers, pistols, revolvers, shotguns and rifles.

This unique book is not intended to give you the value of a particular gun. Other books do that. This well illustrated and well documented book tells the story of a company and its people through the design and production of their firearms. It has a place in the library of any High Standard or other firearms collector.

There will be copies available for review at the Tulsa show in November.

The Authors including John Currie will be there to discuss the process.

Hope to see you there.

Table number will be on this blog once Wannamaker assigns them or contact Steve Schrott at SSHiStand54@gmail.com the day of the show.

Acknowledgements

 My gratitude to:

Gary Hooper for two articles in the Summer 2023 issue of HSCA Newsletter.

Bob Contraros contributed the photos of Fred Steven's underwater pistol and articles regarding it.

Thank you Bob.

Ken Rabeneck for articles about Fred Stevens and Harry Sefried and photos from the 2023 annual meeting.

Steve Schrott for meeting photos, organizing the 2023 annual meeting and notes from the annual business meeting.

Dave Lehman for business meeting minutes and keeping the club going.

Dave is our treasurer and he keeps track of membership dues.

Also, Molly who works at Printworx and is the publisher of the newsletter.

My thanks to all.

jwm

 HSCA Summer newsletter

The 2023 Summer issue of the HSCA newsletter was mailed this week.  I have already received mine in the mail!  The publisher did a miraculous job. I hope you enjoy her work.

If you want a bigger or better newsletter, make it happen. I have received complaints that it does not arrive in a timely manner.  My three reasons: 

1) If I do not have enough material to print and justify cost of postage I don't! So, if you want more in your newsletter submit articles on a High Standard topic to: Nightdoc@aol.com. I am the acting editor. I do not do research. I print articles that are submitted. 

1a) Consider doing a better job than I do by publishing one of the quarterly issues. I am willing to help you.

2) USPS does its best too, but when you have not updated your contact information they cannot make delivery.  

3) If you have not paid your 2023 annual dues you should not be receiving the newsletter anyway!

Please remember that there is a NORTHWEST REGION High Standard club meeting and show the last weekend in August.  It is in Oregon. Contact Jerry Watson for specifics. WATSONLJ500@MSN.COM.

If you missed the annual HSCA meeting at the OGCA shame on you. There were great HSCA displays as shown in the newsletter. LOTS of High Standards on sale tables. One experienced member reportedly bought 8 firearms! Even John Stimson made an appearance on Saturday. He and Steve Schrott are, in my opinion, the best resources of information on High Standards. 

If you are a paid-up member and have not received a Spring or Summer 2023 newsletter, contact Nightdoc@aol.com. I do my best to contact members if a mailing is returned to me. (See item 2) above.

"THE BOOK" HIGH STANDARD 1932-1984 CONNECTICUT is with the editor and almost ready for publication. Steve Schrott is confident that he will have 50 copies to sell at the Tulsa show in November.  Four of the authors will also be there to answer your questions.

Members should feel free to share your High Standard experiences on this Blog.

Nightdoc

MODEL USA H-D M/S AUCTION

 POULINS AUCTION HOUSE HAS A HIGH STANDARD USA MODEL H-D LISTED FOR AUCTION

AUCTION WILL BE CONDUCTED MORNING OF 12 MAY 2023

ITEM LISTING with good description is 1032.

Serial number indicates that it was shipped to War Department 10/10/1944 as an M/S.

Expected opening bids around $9,000.

Expected hammer price of $18-28,000 USD!

Good luck.

Jon Miller

2023 NRA INDY

 I enjoyed spending the weekend at NRA Indy with Dan Rathgeber and his wonderful Spacegun Display.

 HSCA NEWSLETTER

Newsletters were mailed in late March.

If you are a paid up member and have not received your newsletter, contact the editor pro-tem.

If you have moved or died please contact Dave Lehman with forwarding information.

Thanks,

Jon Miller

Charlie Petty Auction ends this weekend. (March 25)

 Charlie Petty's estate is auctioning many of his firearms and ephemera this weekend at Amoskeag auction Live and Timed Online sites. There are approximately 120 items up for bid. They also have a nice memorial article about Charlie near the front of their catalogue.

Amoskeag Auctions

Enter 10919 as advanced search for complete listings of items. 

Good luck.

jon

Thank you

 

Special thanks to Wayne Davis, Gary Hooper and Joe Petino.

These three members authored articles which will be published in the 2023 Spring edition of the High Standard Collectors' Association newsletter.

I very much appreciate their contributions.

The newsletter is currently at the publishers and should be mailed within a week.

Hopefully.

If you have paid your 2023 dues and have not received your copy by mid-April please contact me.  My e-mail address is in the previous newsletters.

Hope to see you all at the HSCA annual meeting at the OGCA display meeting in May. More information on that will also be included in the mailing.

Thanks,

Jon Miller

PS Charlie Petty's estate items are currently up for bid at Amoskeag auction house.

 Sad news.

Charlie Petty, author of High Standard Pistols 1932-1950 died last November.  He was a founding member of the HSCA and a contributing Life member as well.

His estate is offering his firearms and other collectables through Poulin's Auction House in late March.

Go to their website for details.

We also lost another life member and HSCA supporter, Luther Mitchell, who passed in early February this year.  

More information about both of these members will be shared in the Spring HSCA newsletter.

Pay your 2023 dues if you have not done so already.

Write an article for this BLOG or the newsletter.

Become an active member of HSCA. Become an officer on the Board of Directors.

Plan on attending the HSCA 2023 Annual meeting held in conjunction with the OGCA annual display meeting in May.  HSCA is their invited guest. Go to the OGCA website for details.

Spring newsletter will be mailed in late March/early April.

High Standard Survival Pack Pistols

Survival Pack with Papers

In 1981, in an effort to stimulate sales apart of the target shooting market, High Standard began marketing the Survival Pack, which consisted of a new version of a 5.5" barreled pistol sporting an electroless nickel plated finish packed in a canvas carrying case which had three compartments inside to hold an electroless nickel plated extra magazine (included) and other possible items such as a compass, or folding knife.  The Survival Pack was touted as a survival weapon that could be carried in a backpack, or other mode.  The electroless nickel finish was advertised as being more resistant to corrosion and wear than the traditional blued finish.

Three Versions of The Survival Pack
L to R. Pushbutton Sharpshooter, Socket Head Sharpshooter, and Citation II 

The company produced three versions of the Survival Pack between 1981 and 1984.  The first version started production in 1981 as a series 107 electroless nickel plated 5.5” barreled Sharpshooter-M with black stained walnut grips, which utilized the pushbutton barrel release method.  This version was produced for only a few months, with less than 250 guns made, before the company switched to the series 108 guns. 

The series 108 changed the barrel release method from the push button to the socket head screw attachment method.  Other than the method of barrel attachment, the second version was still an electroless nickel plated Sharpshooter-M with black stained grips.  High Standard sold around 2,000 of these pistols in 1981 and 1982.

The third version was sold from late 1982 through 1984.  This time the gun used was an electroless nickel plated Citation II pistol with a 5.5 inch flat-sided barrel and naturally finished walnut grips.  Less than 500 of these pistols were sold.  The flat sided barrel distinguished this gun from the round barreled Sharpshooter-M.  It also had an over-travel adjustment on the trigger, which the Sharpshooter-M lacked.

Inside of Case. The extra magazine was included, but the compass and knife were not included. 

The Survival Pack was shipped in a white cardboard box with cardboard dividers to separate the carrying case from the two styrofoam shells used to hold the pistol.  The box measured about 11”X14.5”X4.9”.  The paperwork included in the box was a parts and instruction sheet for the electroless nickel Sharpshooter, a Limited One Year Warranty sheet, and a beige colored Survival Pack information sheet.  The carrying case held the extra magazine and an Allen wrench to remove the barrel retaining screw on those models with the takedown screw.  The case was placed in the box in a clear plain plastic bag.  There were two variations of beige fabric used for the outer shell of the carrying case.  Otherwise, the interiors were the same dark brown fabric with a flap utilizing a Velcro closure over the three pockets. 

The two versions of fabric for the cases.

High Standard produced other electroless nickel plated guns in the last years of production.  These included Sport King pistols in 4.5” and 6.75” versions; Sentinel MKI & MKIV revolvers; and Derringers in .22LR and .22 WMR calibers.  None of these were produced in high quantities.  The electroless nickel plated magazines are rarely found on the used market, and electroless nickel plated spare parts for any of these guns are also hard to find. 

HSCA members

 

  Greetings to you. My name is Ed, and I have been a member of HSCA for about 30 years. It is time I give up the safe queens. These Hi-Standards are the best of the bunch from over 40 years of collecting. Most are unfired or 99.5%. I kept a few lesser quality shooters for practice and recreation. There are 12 total pieces covering the letter series, including a 99.5% Model "E" in the original box with a walnut interior that I got from Bill Bryant back in 1994. There are slant grip Trophy's and Olympics. There is a short barrel solid rib Victor in the box. These are all high grade pieces with nothing below the Olympic or Trophy grade in the slant grips. I am asking that you send out a blog communication to members so they all have a chance to acquire something special. These Hi-Standards have not seen the market in 30+ years. Kraft Auctioneers in Valparaiso Indiana is handling the sale on Sunday January 8th 2023 at 10AM. There will be bidding on Proxibid and HiBid. 

Lot numbers 337-349

 2022 Winter newsletters were mailed on 9 December. (Which is ahead of schedule)

On the cover there are three High Standard marked R&D rifles from Mike Slaven's collection. That means there are still a lot more unique pieces to hunt down.  

There are articles by Bob Waldinger and Jerry Watson on High Standard rifles and an article by Gary Hooper regarding his innovative method of deactivating firearms for display at shows.

There are flyers from the OGCA inviting HSCA members to attend their May show.

If you are a paid-up active member, and have not received your newsletter by 1 January, please notify NIGHTDOC@AOL.COM.

There is an important message hidden under the "HSCA business item" heading.  It asks for an increase in member participation.  That includes, but is not limited to, supporting the club by paying the $40 annual dues.  

There is a request for members to volunteer or nominate other willing members to become club officers. Nominations must be received by 19 January 2023.

I would personally appreciate articles for the newsletter.  I promised to produce two newsletters. I have published four to date. I am out of ideas for articles. Please step up and help the club.  Send articles to Nightdoc@aol.com.

Steve Schrott has made a great breakthrough on publishing the much-anticipated High Standard book. 

Pistol parts and repairs

 Alan Aronstein, OFM sales agent and consultant, sent message calling attention to an article in GUN MAG. The article states that Aronstein has parts for most High Standard pistols (except the G-380).

OFM also offers repair services for High Standard and other firearms.

Call 713-476-0888 for details.  Shipping address is OFM Corp., 5151 Mitchelldale Street, Houston, Texas 77092.

Article link is: HTTP//www.thegun.com/repairs-for-high-standard-firearms-and others.

Alan is also searching for any information regarding an OSS WW II project involving .30 caliber M-1 Carbines and suppressors.  He has barrels attributed to this project and wants to know more.   Contact him directly through the above information.

 Clarification of newsletter article 

I wish to clarify some misinformation in the Summer issue of the High Standard Collectors' Newsletter.

In the article about The Victor it states that:

 

"Shortly after the closing of High Standard Houston, the remaining stock, and some of the tooling was removed to Fairfield, Montana."

 

Although that is a commonly held belief, and mine as well, Bob Snider of High Standard informed us that statement is incorrect.

"There was no relocation of remaining stock and tooling from Houston to Montana. We started our company with the belief that we could build off of the Connecticut pistols we owned and build to that specification. We have had to build our own tooling based off of the pistols we own. It was my father-in-law, Jim Gray, that wanted to keep the brand alive. I believe Russ and I are accomplishing that”.

  

This clarification will also appear in the next newsletter.

If you want a better HSCA newsletter

 Write an article about your favorite High Standard firearm.

Include photos of the firearm or accessory.

Give me permission to correct text or edit to fit the newsletter.

Work with me here.

All help is appreciated.

Jon Miller

Editor pro-tem

 Link to American Rifleman article on the UD-42

The UD M’42 Submachine Gun: A Clandestine Tool For The OSS | An Official Journal Of The NRA (americanrifleman.org)  Sept 17, 2022

UD-42 was Designed by Swebilius.

Produced by Marlin for WW II

HSCA Summer 2022 Newsletters

 HSCA Summer 2022 Newsletters

Summer Newsletters were mailed on 29 August.

If you are a paid-up HSCA  member and have not received that newsletter,

Please notify pro-tem editor at Nightdoc@aol.com.

Include your name, correct current mailing address and phone number.

Thank you and stay safe

STORY OF THE VICTOR by Jerry Watson

 

The Victor came about not from a design originated by the High Standard design staff, but from target shooters trying to improve their equipment and their scores.  This was the early 1970's and the single handed hold was still the popular stance for target work.  Heavy well balanced pistols were the norm for both rapid and slow fire.

 

Target shooters believed that the sights, front and rear should be solidly connected on the same plane.  Slide mounted rear sights were considered less accurate because the slide might not return to the same spot every time.  Target pistols like 8” and 10” Space guns were considered ideal, because both sights were on the barrel.  Captain William McMillan the 1960 Olympic rapid fire Champion used an  Olympic Trophy with the rear sight mounted on the rear (breach) of the 6 1/2” barrel so as to meet the Olympic rules and accomplish the solid connection.

 

High Standard Supermatic Trophy's and Citations' were well thought of by target shooters.  The rear bridge sight was solidly attached to the frame which also tightly secured the barrel, creating a roundabout solid plane.  It only stands to reason these would be the models tinkered with and modified to improve their accuracy.  Several Custom Gunsmiths began improving these models on a regular basis.

 

J. E. Clark of Shreveport, Louisiana purchased 106 Trophy frames and slides directly from High Standard and installed his  custom compensated 5” barrel on them.  The stock slide was trimmed to fit under a “BO-MAR” rib with adjustable sight, resembling what we now know as The Victor.  Another custom builder, “Giles .45 Shop” in Odessa, Florida, would take the customer's 106 Trophy or 106 Citation and modify it by removing the original bridge sight and  plugging the holes mechanically.  The original barrel was slimmed, reshaped and the top grooved for a “Giles Rib” with adjustable sights.  The Slide was grooved to fit under new rib.  Giles also installed an additional trigger sear adjustment.  Many different “Giles” customization's will be encountered.  Many other Customizers did similar work to the well-built Hi-Standard pistols.

 

Richard G. Beaulieu a design engineer for the Lyman Gun Sight Co. modified his personal Hi-Standard target pistol by “removing the bridge sight, milling the top of the slide and adding a rib to the barrel that extended over the slide.  The rear sight was mounted over the rear of the slide”.  One of the marketing people for Leisure Group saw the pistol and they decided to offer it as a new model for High Standard.

 

Thompson Center Arms was selected to produce the ribs using the investment casting process.  The first version of the pistol was produced in two barrel lengths. It can be identified by the “high” steel rib that was used in the 107 Military and the early Numbered series pistols.   Part way through the numbered series, in about 1974, the rib material was changed to aluminum.  Milled aluminum was lighter, thought to be truer and was more cost effective. Both ventilated and solid ribs will be encountered, with solid version the harder to find.  The lighter aluminum rib was thought to give the pistol a better balance.

 

In 1975 the serial number range of all High Standard's had reached two and one half million and a new numbering system was instituted.  “ML” indicating Military grip preceding a five digit number was instituted.  The pistol did not change, only the serial number.  The factory moved from Hamden, Connecticut to East Hartford, Connecticut in 1979 and a simplified production.  Only the roll mark on the barrel was changed, indicating the new location of manufacture.   These “E. Hartford” guns are considered less valuable.  In 1981 came the introduction of the “Screw” attached barrel, the prefix was changed to “SH” indicating screw and the numbering suffix re-started.  The left side of the frame was roll marked simply “VICTOR”  and the barrel marked “.22 Long Rifle with the trigger emblem.  The aluminum rib was relieved above the chamber in this model for what reason no one seems to know.  However it makes it easy to spot the “SH” and late (post 54,XXX) “ML” transitional Victors.

 

The rarest Victor is the standard grip or “Slant Grip” which accounted for 692 in the numbered model series with steel and later, both ventilated and solid aluminum ribs in both barrel lengths.  The last 24 were made in the “ML” series in only the 5 1/2” barrel length.  Most Victors, 49,283 were manufactured with the Military grip, which is similar to the Model 1911, standard side arm of our military.  The Military Victor's grip, safety and feel were like the 1911 and thus more of these models were sold in this country.  716 standard grip Victors were manufactured at the same time the Military Grip was being made.  To make the standard grip even harder to find, most of them were exported to Europe where the Slant Grip was similar to the Luger and more familiar to European shooters.  A few Slant Grips have been “repatriated” (brought back to the US, as indicated by their European Proof Marks).  The Slant Grip Victor is the rarest of all the Victors commanding the highest prices.  Less than 1 & 1/2% of all the Victors were produced with the Slant Grip.

 

Mid 1984 the High Standard Company went out of business.  It would not be until 1993 when it was reconstituted in Huston, Texas, by a group of investors.  The Victor was continued in several of the old models plus the new  “Model 105” which was a 4 1/2” barreled solid rib designed for a slant grip frame (evidently left over from the Hamden operation) and mounted on a Huston investment cast military frame.  A nice looking, limited (35) production target pistol.  The Texas operation also manufactured the standard two barrel versions of the Victor.  On special order you could get a Bob Shea 10-X Commemorative Victor.  Just a few of these (no more than 12) were produced prior to the Texas company closing its doors in 2018.

 

Shortly after the closing of High Standard Huston, the remaining stock, and some of the tooling was moved to Fairfield, Montana.  A new manufacturing facility was constructed on the  Jim Grey Ranch.  High Standard Incorporated is now manufacturing Victor's, 10-X's, Sport-King's and the Bob Shea 10-X Commemorative Victor's on special order.  The quality of these Montana pistols would compare to the original High Standards of late 1960's and early 1970's production.  The polish, fit and finish is excellent by today’s standard's.

Northwest Annual Meeting of the HSCA

Northwest Annual Regional Meeting of the High Standard Collectors Association

 

The meeting was held August 13^th and 14^th 2022, in conjunction with the Oregon Arms Collectors Association annual two day show.  The show was held at the new Wing Span Event Center, in Hillsboro, Oregon, across the highway from the regional Hillsboro Airport.  The new facility is first class in every aspect together with exceptionally great lighting.  The spatial arrangement and size are comparable to the KC facility, but at Wing Span, everything is brand new.  This is the space we are negotiating with the OACA for the 2024 Annual meeting of the HSCA. 

There were four displayers:  Greg Markel of Bremerton, Washington, displayed his almost complete set of Olympic Pistols;  Garry Hooper of Montague, California, displayed his broad collection of High Standard Automatics;  Smokey Grant of Sweet Home, Oregon, displayed hard to find Derringers and Special Wood Cased Western Revolvers;  Jerry Watson of Salem, Oregon, displayed his collection of Victors. 

Other HSCA Members who attended were:  Chris Albright of  Junction City, Oregon, Dick & Marcy Klocko of Eugene, Oregon, and Jim Barta, a former member of Eugene, Oregon who had a sales table. 

Saturday evening we all adjourned to the local Appleby's Restaurant for libations and a Dinner Meeting.  Greg Markel, our resident Board Member, will be taking a number of suggestions to the next Board Meeting outlining ideas for improvements in operation.