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LOT 3594
Outstanding Collector's Set of Four Extensively
Documented Factory Collection Exhibition
Engraved High Standard Manufacturing
Corp. Semi-Automatic Pistols with Boxes,
Company Vice President William Donovan
Letter, and Author Charles E. Petty Letter-A)
Engraved High Standard 100 Series Sport-
King Pistol - Serial no. 469991, 22 LR cal., 4
1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, plastic grips.
Manufactured c. 1953, this pistol, along with the other
three in the lot, are documented as having been engraved
for use in marketing as well as being housed in the
factory collection. Includes the original box with added
hand written label listing “engraved”. An included 1981
letter from William J. Donovan, former vice-president of
marketing for High Standard Manufacturing Corp. states that
all four of these pistols were shipped to Germany for engraving
and then featured in displays at U.S. pistol matches and trade
shows for High Standard for several years after they were finished.
Another included letter, also dated 1981, is from noted High
Standard historian and author of “High Standard Automatic
Pistols 1932-1950” Charles E. Petty. In this letter, Petty states that
he had been given permission to examine and catalog the High
Standard factory collection, that all four of these pistols were
part of it, and that they had been previously used as exhibition
guns. Both of these letter list all four pistols by model and serial
number. The four pistols all exhibit near full coverage, masterfully
executed, floral scroll engraving, with all of them showing
similar, nearly matching patterns. Besides the Crusader revolver
commemoratives, these four pistols are likely the closest examples in existence of factory engraved High Standard pistols, having been commissioned by the factory and held in the factory collection. All four of the pistols have the
standard markings and features for their respective models and series. Includes a correct factory box with an additional end label hand marked with the serial number and “ENG”.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 99% plus of the factory blue finish with only the slightest handling evidence overall and crisp engraving. Mechanically excellent. The box is very fine with some mild wear.
B) Engraved High Standard 101 Series Field-King Pistol - Serial no. 475268, 22 LR cal., 4 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, plastic grips. Manufactured c. 1954, see description for “A”. Includes the original box with added hand
written label listing “engraved”.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 99% plus of the factory blue finish with only the slightest handling evidence overall and crisp engraving. Mechanically excellent. The box is very fine with some mild wear.
C) Engraved High Standard 101 Series Olympic Pistol - Serial no. 476731, 22 LR cal., 6 3/4 inch round bbl., blue finish, plastic grips. Manufactured c. 1954, see description for “A”. Includes a correct factory box (numbered to a
different gun) with added hand written label numbered to the gun and listing “engraved”.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 99% plus of the factory blue finish with only the slightest handling evidence overall and crisp engraving. Mechanically excellent. The box is very fine with some mild wear.
D) Engraved High Standard 100 Series Sport-King Pistol - Serial no. 476999, 22 LR cal., 6 3/4 inch round bbl., blue finish, plastic grips. Manufactured c. 1954, see description for “A”. Includes the original box with added hand
written label listing “engraved”.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 99% plus of the factory blue finish with only the slightest handling evidence overall and crisp engraving. Mechanically needs adjustment. The box is fine with a couple separated lid corners and mild
wear. A fantastic set that would be difficult to improve upon and is unlikely to be seen in any other collection!
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
LOT 3593
Rare Semmerling Model LM-4
Pistol - Serial no. 525, 45 ACP
cal., 3 1/2 inch solid rib bbl.,
blue finish, hardwood grips.
Introduced in the early 1980s.
Designed to be offered for use by
clandestine services or as the ultimate
police backup weapon, the LM-4 is a
manually operated 5-shot repeater that is 5 1/4
inches long and is the smallest 5-shot .45 caliber pistol ever
produced. The LM-4 pistol is not a semi-automatic, although it
physically resembles one. The slide is flicked forward and back
after each double action squeeze of the trigger.
CONDITION: Excellent overall, retaining 99% plus original blue finish with limited
handling marks, a minor patch of surface oxidation on one of the grip screws.
and an attractive plum coloration on the slide. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
LOT 3595
Whitney Firearms Wolverine Semi-Automatic Rimfire
Pistol with Box - Serial no. 31641, 22 LR cal., 4 1/2 inch
round bbl., black finish, plastic grips. Manufactured
between 1955 and 1962 with a futuristic, space age design
that utilized a cast aluminum frame in lieu of the standard
steel frames of the day. The Wolverine is a straight blow-
back design that uses a round bolt inside the upper part
of the frame, with exposed cocking knobs on the rear of
the frame and an exposed hammer. It was designed by
Robert “Bob” Hillberg (1917-2012), an intuitive firearms
designer who worked for High Standard Mfg. Co. as the
head of research and development, and was involved in a
number of different design projects including the COP .357
Derringer pistol and M37 machine gun. Features fixed front
and rear sights, standard markings, and checkered grips.
Includes a reproduction Whitney box.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 95% original black finish with light edge wear and handling marks mostly focused on the frame and controls.
Grips are exceptionally fine with minor surface scrapes and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Box is very fine.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000