"Weren't there High Standard pistols around during WW2?"
Y'know, I thought that but then I looked into Tom Dance's book and the production runs, for the target pistols at least, begin in 1951.
As it turns out, you are correct. I found this post on another forum: a short history:
" High Standard Pistol Basics
Without writing an entire book on the subject, I thought this article might help some owners or even potential owners learn some basics about High Standard pistols.
The first High Standard pistol was actually a borrowed design from the Colt Woodsman. The creator of the first High Standard was a former Colt employee by the name of Carl Gustave Swebilius in 1929. After the firms collapse in 1984, Al Arenstein is credited for saving the company’s name with his reintroduction of the firm in 1994.
Since there are literally hundreds of major and subtle changes throughout the history of this firm, plus the existence of revolvers, shotguns, and rifles, I felt it necessary to stick to just semi auto pistols with this post. There are many books on the subject of High Standards. I would strongly suggest our readers become familiar some of these:
‘High Standard, A Collectors Guide,’ By Tom Dance, 1991, Andrew Mowbray Publishers, Lincoln, R.I..
‘High Standard Pistols and Revolvers, 1951-1954’ By James Spacek, 1998, Copyright, James V. Spacek Jr., Cheshire, Conn..
www.histandardinfo./ John Stimson Jr.
In the past I've been helping you all from memory created from years of collecting and shooting. Its now time I write it down before I forget it. Here are some basic facts that may save you from having to post long threads to find out details about your guns. these dates are close. dont hold me ransom on its perfection. im going by memory. if collectors are reading this, dont have a cow. how about helping us make it perfect by adding your input and stop calling me an annoying novice. im not a hair splitter. this thread is an act of love for the readers and is meant to be a tribute to a fine firearm. the nomenclature may not be book perfect, but if the reader understands it, it did its job:
Factories:
1929 - 1930……..Hartford Arms, Hartford, Conn
1931 – 1957……..High Standard New Haven
1957 – 1977……..High Standard Hamden
1977 – 1984……..High Standard East Hartford
1990 - 1995……..(Clones
Ft Worth Arms, Mitchell, Stoeger
1994 – Present.….High Standard Houston
Progression of Frame Designs:
1929 - Small frame slant
1937 - Large frame slant
1947 - Small frame slant takedown
1947 - Large frame slant takedown
1965 - Military frame takedown
Order Of Series Introductions:
1929 - Hartford Arms
1932 - Alphabetical: (SMALL FRAME) B, C, S
1937 - (LARGE FRAME) A, D, E, Hammers
1947 - G Series: GB, GD, GE, GO, .380
1950 - SUPERMATIC: 100
1954 - SUPERMATIC: 101
1957 - SUPERMATIC: 102,
1960 - 103
1963 - 104
1965 - MILITARY: 106
1967 - 107
1969 - Numbered
1975 - G Prefix
1977 - ML
1981 - SH
1984 – V Suffix, Out Of Business
1994 – HOUSTON MILITARY
1994 - AF
1994 - 105
1995 - Numbered"
In general, the Hamden guns from 1957-1977 are the most prized target guns.
Pete