[ejohne]

I have an opportunity to buy a series 103 Supermatic Trophy in excellent condition with a 8" barrel, stabilizer, walnut checkered grips, barrel weights, and high blue finish blue for $800. No box or extra magazine. Is this a reasonable price, or have I lost my mind?

[B27]

Great gun but that price is high IMO. Go to www.highstandard.org and click on the link to Jim Spacek's excellent HS forum.
I'm crazy about these old HS target pistols and can undrstand your lusting after it though. :)

http://www.fototime.com/56697016C09D314/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/C48EF4996346B15/standard.jpg

[ejohne]

I have a couple of Supermatic Trophy Military pistols, but this is a "Space Gun." It looks just too cool with the compensator and barrel weights. And the finish is amazing. I guess I am hooked.

[B27]

I hear ya!:D I almost bought a Citation yesterday even though I already have an excellent one. But the one I saw was in truly near new condition and was priced within reason.
I'm still proud of myself for resisting.

[Old Fuff]

Ejohne:

Before you get "hooked" for eight-hundred bucks check out Numrich Parts Corp. (www.e-gunparts.com) as well as some of the sites on High Standard pistols and see if you can find an 8" barrel with weights and compensator that will fit a pistol you have. The price on the gun you are looking at seems way too high. One advantage of the 103 series was the easy interchangeability of barrels.

[C.R.Sam]

Fantastic gun.

I studiously avoid payin retail for guns....but:

According to Fjestad, that price not out of line if in perfect mechanical condition and at least 95 percent of the original finish is remaining.

The 8" barrel bumps another $150 to the value. (over the more common 6 3/4" barrels.)

Weights and stabilizer would bump it a little too.

Of course the true value lies in what the buyer will pay and the seller will accept.

Sam

[ejohne]

I would say the finish is perfect. If it came with a box it would pass for "new in box." My dealer has told me on numerous occasions that the Blue Book values of High Standards are much higher than they should be. However, the Standard Catalog of Firearms also prices this gun quite high. I have been trying to find a similar gun on the internet, but not had any luck with Auction Arms, Gunsamerica, or Gunbroker. Any other ideas?

[ejohne]

I paid $450 and $500 for my Series 106 Supermatic Trophy Military pistols, which both are perfect in appearance and without boxes. However, the deep blue finish on this gun is amazing. Much better than a Python or S&W. The only comparable finish I have seen was on a Colt Woodsman Match Target from the 1970's.

Old Fluff, I did check Gunparts, and they only list Supermatic Trophy Series 106 and 107.

[ejohne]

I found this info regarding the finish on the Supermatic Trophys:

John J. Stimson, Jr.
Blued
Sun May 4 08:03:30 2003
68.58.70.54

Rick,

In the 102-104 series guns the super blue was the Trophy finish and it appears on Supermatic Trophys with the 5.50", 6.75", 7.25", 8.0" and 10.0" barrels - the 6.75", 8.0" and 10.0" barrels are sometimes referred to as "Space Gun Barrels". The super blue also appeared on the 103 Olympic ISU model called the Olympic Trophy. A few 106 series Trophys also recieved the super blue.

Super bluing in the result of super polishing of the metal before bluing and not the bluing bath itself. All the guns used the same bluing tanks. The polishing associated with the super blue was labor intensive and economics caused later Trophys to be pretty much the same finish as the other guns.

Rust bluing is a process requiring a lot of time and labor and is not compatable with high production. Hot tank bluing is generally used by all manufacturers today. S&W at one time blued their guns by heating the metal in a hot oven.

we call iron oxide rust. Iron oxides appear as a redish brown oxide Fe2 O3 and a black oxide Fe3 O4. So technically rust bluing and hot tank bluing are both "rust".

John Stimson

[Old Fuff]

Boy! I going to have to go and look up my collection of old Hi-Standard barrels. I never realized what's been going on.

[Standing Wolf]

Jim Spacek's site is at: http://www.tm-techmark.com/jspacek.htm

I've seen space guns going for well over $800. I like them, but finding gunsmiths, parts, and magazines is a daunting task.

[C.R.Sam]

Some parts, maby.
www.highstandard.com

Sam

[ejohne]

Here is a pic of my new pistol:
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data/500/17932Supermatic_Trophy-med.jpg

[Old Fuff]

Ah yes .....

Bought one of those from High Standard back when I was on the Michigan State Team and shooting at Camp Perry. It was a very accurate gun, and very reliable - which the S&W 41's sometimes weren't.

Cost about $76.00 .......

Enjoy it.

[Standing Wolf]

It was a very accurate gun, and very reliable - which the S&W 41's sometimes weren't.

Still aren't.

[C.R.Sam]

"It was a very accurate gun, and very reliable - which the S&W 41's sometimes weren't."

Yup.

Sam.....think I got my first one in 59.

[Old Fuff]

If anyone is interested in a 103 series Supermatic Citation with a 5 ½” bull-barrel check the following link on gunbrokers.com. I know the seller and they are reliable people.

http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=11562782

[C.R.Sam]

Hmmmm....1962 or later.
Startin a bit high...
Gonna watch that one.

Thanks Mr. Fuff :D

Sam....who doesn't really need this.

[JPShadow]

I bought a model 104 supermatic trophy last night for $600 in the box like new. With the muzzle brake and weights and all the little parts. The guy even gave me a holster for it. I feel like I got a great price sense I talked the guy down from $800. But When his wife said to sell the damn gun. It walked out the door with me for what I feel was a great price! Did I really get a good price or am I kidding my self?

[spamtrap19990601]

Yeah, I have a Supermatic Trophy I bought for $98.50 in 1973 and no, it is not for sale. The gun runs well so long as you clean it periodically but that's pretty much true of any .22. Don't forget to disassemble the magazines and scrub them inside with bore cleaner. A set of Wolf Gun Springs did wonders for an older gun like mine; especially the magazine springs.