High Standard, Supermatic, Trophy ML

Dwayne Shelton

I've inherited a Supermatic Trophy that is an "ML" series. Its manufatured at Hamden and has a serial number of ML05xxx. It has a 7 and 1/4 fluted barrell with two barrel weights and a muzzle break.
I'd apreciate any help on the value.

Thanks,
Dwayne

bobski

welcome to the boards!
approx 550.00 plus or minus 50. the fluted bbl, brake, and wts bring a premium.

Dwayne Shelton

Is the ML the same as the 107 model?
Many thanks for the information.

JohnStimson

Yes, the 107 series design originated at about serial number 1,935,200 and contined in the regular serial number series until and then the serial number format was changed to a ML prefix serial number which ran from ML1,001 through ML 86,641. The design was not changed with the change in serial number format but the marking of MODEL 107 was deleted from the frame at about serial number 2,330,000

See http://www.histandard.info/models/pistols/107.html
and http://www.histandard.info/datapublic/serial/pserialno.html

bobski

same is a trick word. same in appearences and function maybe, but the ML did have very minor changes. im sure john will agree with me that ML's dont receive the top of the line praise as far as QA in comparison to 107's. the majority received less than acceptable QA leaving the factory. there were some changes in the depth of the thumb rest on the walnut stocks too. if given the choice of which to own, id have to go with the 107. just curious, does you gun say hamden or east hartford? it should be hamden, but parts can be changed so easily, i just need to know for you sake.

JohnStimson

Bobski is correct, "same" in this case is somewhat realtive. There are indeed some subtle changes in in the 107 series but I don't recall any that occurred specifically with the change in serial number format to the "ML " serial number prefix. Some minor changes to parts did occur internally but none that resulted in a change in part numbers or in fit and function with one exception. The Wilhelm patented magazine release introduced with the 106 series annd continues on the 107 series was replaced by a Ralph Kennedy patented design late in the late 1970's. I also agreee that the grips are a lesser quality when compared wiht the earlier grips. The degree of effort expended on fit and polish was also not as good as the earlier guns.
I also agree that the earlier models marked 107 are more appealing to me because of the appearance and the lesser liklihood of getting a clunker. The Blue Book does discount the values of the East Hartford manufacrued pistols which invlude the 107 series guns with serial numbers of ML 25,000 and higher.

Dwayne Shelton

This one displays hamden as the manufacturer. All the serial numbers match and it functions nicely. I'm assuming since its an earlier serial number in the ML series it may not suffer the poor QA problems. (Hopefully).

Thanks to both responders.

bobski

john, based on his serial number, i'd assume its a pre move serial number, right? thus, its an in house hamden gun, not a hamden parts gun assembled in hartford? that would make his gun one of last of the good ones, agree? dwayne, is your gold trigger peeling yet?

Dwayne Shelton

I've found a tool that was stored with the supermatic. Its a flat peice of steel about .062 thick, about three inches long. Its recticangle, about .500 high with a 1 inch circle on one end and a hole in the middle of the circle and small notch tabs on the opposite end. The envelope it was in labels it as a "Muzzle Brake Cleaning Tool". My grandfather was a machinist and could have easisly made this. Just curious if this sort-of thing existed from the manufacturer?

JohnStimson

Bobski,
Yes that is a 1975 Hamden gun. The last ML from Hamden was ML 23,065 in 1976. The first regular serial numebr in East Hartford was ML25,000. (yes they left a gap in the numbers) There are a number of guns with serial numbers above ML 25,000 that have Hamden marked barrels but which shipped from East Hartford. This is one of the good ones.
For general reference, you can see this data at: http://www.histandard.info/datapublic/serial/pserialno.html

Dwayne,
That tool is for cleaning the muzzle brake and was furnished with the guns that had the removable muzzle brakes when they standard items. By the time your pistol was sold the weights, muzzle brake, muzzle brake tool, allen wernches for wrights abd muzzle brake and second magazine were sold separately.

bobski

dwayne, is your gold trigger peeling yet?

Dwayne Shelton

bobski,

As a matter of fact, the tigger is about the only thing that has a problem on this gun. On the back of it I found some blueish green corrosion trying to set in where the plating appears to have bubbled. It's quite minor and limited to the protrusion/knob on the back of the trigger. I take it this is common?

bobski

ah ha!!!
the famous peeling trigger. the corrosion you see will effect the reset of your trigger. it must be taken out and cleaned real long and hard. that was the MAIN problem with trophies and the result is...youll see everyone unloading them on auction sites!
that gold was plated on. its flaking off. the little part in the back of the trigger is the backlash adjustment screw in its base. make sure when you pull the trigger, (with a snap cap in the bbl,) see if the trigger returns 'forward.' if so, youre ok for now. keep it well oiled and take a swab and knock that gold/green crud off the best you can.