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Hi Standard Derringer, How Old?

TWalkerTWalker Member Posts: 2,372 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited January 2007 in Ask the Experts
I bought a 98% condition Hi-Standard Derringer today in .22 Mag caliber. It is blued with white grips, Marked DM-101. There is what looks like an eagle on the left side. HAMDEN, CONN, USA marked on the right side. Serial number is 130448X. Can anyone tell me the year it was made? I wanted to see if it would fire, but since I live in a city (temporarily) I pulled the bullets and powder from 2 .22 LR shells and tried them. Both fired as expected. I do know not to fire live .22 LR ammo in this magnum derringer, I was only checking its function. I know of another one like it for sale with black grips. I'm thinking of getting it as well. Any differences other than the grip color? Thanks for any replies.
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Comments

  • rufe-snowrufe-snow Member Posts: 18,650 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    This is a link to John Stimpsons excellent site. He gives you chapter & verse on the H S derringers as well as all the other firearms that H S made over the years. The forum is also a outstanding resource.


    http://www.histandard.info/models/derringers.html
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  • TWalkerTWalker Member Posts: 2,372 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thank you for the great information. It appears that my derringer is a very early one, probably made in 1964, give or take a year. The black gripped one was made much later, according to the information given, at a different location, and with different markings and some minor changes. Guess I'll have to get the second one now for certain.
    Thanks again.
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  • nmyersnmyers Member Posts: 16,892 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'm glad that you had the good sense to use an empty case to check the functioning; dry firing this gun will peen the chamber, making it impossible to chamber a round.

    You probably will want to use your "snap caps" to test the other one before you buy, as repair parts will be difficult or impossible to find.

    Exercise caution with these guns, as they do not have the firing pin block that most modern guns have.

    Other than grip material & finish, they are the same.

    Neal
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  • allen griggsallen griggs Member Posts: 35,693 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Those are great little pistols. I have the .22 mag.
    They are getting scarce. Buy that second one, you won't regret it.
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  • PearywPearyw Member Posts: 3,699
    edited November -1
    I have an old nickel 22 magnum HS derringer. I have shot a bunch of 22 LR thru it over the years. It will crack the cases sometimes.
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