High Standard Crusader!!

Holy smokes.... I finally landed one. I have been lokking for a High Standard Crusader 44mag for years and years. I came across one in a gun show over the weekend and couldn't believe that I was able to trade a dealer out of it with a few ignored items from the gunsafe.

This revolver is absolutely gorgeous with a deep, high polished blue and a golden figure of a crusader swinging a sword on the right side of the frame. I don't know how to insert an image of the revolver but here is a link where you can see one:

http://www.morriswatchshop.com/07-002-04_HS_L.jpg

I almost picked one up a few years back in 45LC but really wanted the 44mag. I understand that High Standard made 1000 in 45LC and 1000 in 44mag.

Okay so now that I finally landed this really elusive prize I now realize that I don't know a whole lot about these guns. I would appreciate any information anyone might share with me about the Crusader or it's history.

Thanks

I think one is placed in the hands of a criminal in one of Elmore Leonard's books. Can't remember which one.

it been awhile, but if i remember correctly...

the golden crusader was only supposed to grace the initial run of guns, after that he was only going to be rendered in outline form.

the action was very modern, or at least new, using gears/teeth to connect the trigger and hammer. i'm also thinking they used cast/MIM parts.

I'm absolutely green with envy!

I've been looking for one of those for two decades. I found a .45 Colt Crusader and a very high price, as well as a .44 magnum at an extremely high price, but didn't have the money at the time.

You'll be able to find out more about these most peculiar revolvers at Jim Spacek's site: http://www.tm-techmark.com/jspacek.htm

If I were you, I'd remove the serial number from that photograph.

Thanks for the look, eh? Lovely!

So if I might ask, how much does a High Standard Crusader set you back these days?

Thanks for the info and the link. I almost fell over when I saw it on his table. The gun looked like it had been owned by the dealer for a really long time and it with the presentation case were covered with a layer of dust. He was asking $900 for it and I traded him for it. He seemed pretty happy to unload it so I think that there are not many people hunting for them. I felt like I was walking on sunshine when I was leaving the gun show with the Crusader in my possession. I wish you good luck in finding one for your collection.

So, if the golden decorated ones were only supposed to be the initial run than I don't think many were sold because all of the ones that I know about have the gold crusader emblem.

Thanks again and I would appreciate more info on my "score".

It set me back 1 Beretta 1201FP Semi 12gauge, 1 Llama .44mag Super Commanche and 1 Colt Lawman MkIII. The dealer was asking $900 and I had paid less than that for the 3 guns I traded.