History of High Standard
The earliest High Standard pistol was marketed under the name of the Model B. This rather successful model was the offspring of the Hartford Arms, .22 caliber semi-auto pistol. The Model C in .22 short rifle caliber soon followed. Unfortunately, the grips on these models proved to be a problem. They were so short, they barely fit the average hand.
By the early 1930’s, High Standard had rectified the problem with the introduction of new large frame guns designated as the models A, D, and E. This modification was done simply by the addition of a wedge shaped extension added to the bottom of the grip. With this problem corrected, the company continued to produce this same basic pistol in a hammered version. An “H” preceding the model letter identified these. The Model HD and USA HD experienced the greatest popularity of all of the earlier models.
The next endeavor of the High Standard Corporation was a landmark design that featured an interchangeable barrel. This was facilitated by a grooved and dovetail affair, which allowed the barrel to be slid into the front of the frame. A lever below the barrel was the means by which you could secure or release it. This pistol was referred to as the “G” series and was soon replaced by the improved Supermatic 101 series of pistols. These featured the same takedown system, but marked the beginning of High Standard’s vast diversification of options that were to be offered on their pistols.
For the relatively short time that High Standard remained in business, they entered the market with nearly a complete line of firearms. It included shotguns, rifles and revolvers, while they continued to offer more and better designed models of the .22 caliber target pistols they had become famous for.
Unfortunately, bad decisions and poor management were ultimately the demise of the High Standard Corporation. With quality falling off and little of the profits going back into the business, the company began a descent that would end in 1984 when the last of their inventory and assets were sold at auction. Numrich Gun Parts Corporation was fortunate to have obtained a large amount of that inventory, which included pistol, revolver, shotgun, and rifle parts that we still stock to this day.