Tell me about High Standards made in Hartford

[Bill B.]

What exactly is the story on the High Standards made in Hartford vs. those made in Camden? I take it that at some point the QA went down. Was some of the first guns made at Hartford ok and later the quality went down or exactly what was the specific issues the Hartford High Standards have? I have a early ML series Victor from Hartford and so far haven't found any issue at all. What's the scoop?

 

[jaybar]

Hamden vs. E. Hartford guns

High Standard started to get into financial difficulties around 1968 after they were bought by The Leisure Group which coincided in time with the Gun Control Act of 1968. Sales were lagging, labor problems were rampant and they were forced to downsize and close down their rather large facility in Hamden and move to a much smaller facility in E. Hartford in 1970. The facility in Hamden had its own woodworking shop and metal finishing (polish and blueing) shops. The facility in E. Hartford didn't. High Standard never manufactured any of the barrels, frames, or internal metal parts of their guns. They would job the manufacturing out, and would assemble and fit them in their facility. The only difference in the Hamden guns was that the final finishing was done by High Standard. When they moved to E. Hartford they jobbed out the finishing. All of the metal parts are identical in every way in guns stamped Hamden and E. Hartford. The Hamden guns are just a liitle prettier inside and out.

 

[Bill B.]

Jaybar

Thanks for the information! Based on what you were able to tell me I take it that all High Standards that have the later allen screw takedown were made in Hartford including the 10X.

 

[jaybar]

SH series produced in E. Hartford

Yep - the hex screw takedown was the last cost cutting design change implemented before they shut the doors in E.Hartford. The "SH" series guns are not held in high esteem by most knowledgable High Standard people. As a matter of fact, it is common when referring to the SH series to add 2 more letters to the SH** to euphamize the quality of these guns.The following quote from John Stimpson (the quintessential High Standard expert) says it best:

SH Series Models
The final design produced by High Standard. A change in takedown from the large pushbutton introduced with the 102 series and continuing through the 107 series, to a hex Socket Head cap screw takedown. This was a cost reduction design change. The ML prefix of the 107 series was replaced with "SH". Near the end of production a "V" suffix was added to some visually impaired guns which were sold at discount. These guns were guaranteed to function properly but the company would not allow them to be returned for appearance reasons. This series was produced in 1981 through 1984.