Fair value of a .22LR JC Higgins (High Standard) Model 88 snub revolver and holster?

AJMBLAZER · May 20, 2014

Purchased this probably 6 years ago for a song. The seller and I both knew I got it for a deal so I have no clue what it's really worth today. Bought it for the ex and she decided to become the ex so it's mostly just sat over the remaining time. I'd like to raise some funds and pass it on to someone that can appreciate it and use it rather than let it sit like it does now.

Problem is I have no clue of it's value.

It is a JC Higgins Model 88 snub .22 revolver. Rebadged High Standard. I believe these were sold through Sears?
Excellent shape mechanically. Locks up tight as can be and fires every time.
Finish is decidedly worn. Has some holster wear and if the aluminum frame was blued/anodized/whatever it isn't now. I can see hints of a black color on parts of the frame and trigger guard but most of it is worn shiney. The barrel, hammer, trigger, and cylinder are still blued but show considerable wear. It was someone's tool box, glove box, or tackle box gun and lived a life of use with care. Works great, but not pretty.
Has a 1 piece boot grip style plastic grip that is in good shape.

Comes with what is marked a Lefty Lewis Custom Maker belt holster. I believe it is either the forerunner of or the same as these Bell Charter Oak Co-Pilot holsters:
BELL CHARTER OAK CUSTOM HOLSTERS SCABBARDS (607) 783-2483
The holster isn't meant for this gun but it fits and retains it well. I thought about keeping it but my J frame slides right out of it. Someone must have fit the holster to the 88.

So what's a realistic price on this gun and holster?

Bell Charter Oak Holsters · May 21, 2014

Well, I did indeed craft that Co-Pilot crossdraw, but certainly not for that particular revolver. Every holster I craft is made specifically for the weapon it is ordered for, no exceptions. Since we do not have a dummy gun or casting for the High Standard .22 Sentinel in our inventory, the holster was certainly made for something else. From your photo, I'd guess it was made for a Colt Detective Special.

Chic Gaylord, my late friend, was very fond of the .22 High Standard Sentinel. There are several photos of him depicted in HANDGUNNERS GUIDE demonstrating drawing techniques with the Sentinel, among others.

As to value, on todays insanely inflated market, it would not surpise me if your revolver would bring upwards of a couple hundred bucks, depending on condition and buyer motivation. The Sentinel has a following amongst those who appreciate an inexpensive vintage shooter. The holster currently retails for $129.00 from our shop. Best of luck to you.

Cheers;
Lefty

AJMBLAZER · May 21, 2014

Hey, I met the man!

Thanks for the advice and thoughts. It really is a nice holster and I have enjoyed wearing it and carrying the gun in the past with it. Fits well and you forget it's there.
You know, I used to have a Detective Special clone. I never thought to see if it fit the holster.

As far as this combo goes I got it from a guy in Washington. Dunno if your friend was from up there or not.

tops · May 22, 2014

AJMBLAZER said:
So what's a realistic price on this gun and holster?

In the past year I have saw 3 Sentinels like that sell at 3 different auctions. All three were nice pistols. Two blue ones brought $200. each. A nickel one brought (if I remember correctly) $375. Larry

ColbyBruce · May 22, 2014

I have owned several of these revolvers in snubbie and 4" barrels, HS, J.C. Higgins, and Western Auto Revelation versions. I have never met a Sears or Western Auto collector, but a nice, in the box High Standard marked gun will bring $300.00+ in metro Atlanta. Half that for the clones.

That said, I mean no offense, but your gun is in dire need of refinishing, and to me, is a $50.00-$75.00 gun. I have owned and carried lots worse, for less money, because they worked just fine.

May I suggest you take the stocks off, remove the crane and cylinder, clean the frame, mask off the barrel/trigger/hammer, stuff cotton into the crevices, and spray the frame with with flat black high temp grill or engine paint, and reassemble it. Even when new, the metal parts did not match the frame on the blued versions. The high temp paint works well, the gun will look much better and be more desirable to a buyer.

AJMBLAZER · May 22, 2014

Hmmmm, might just do that.

ColbyBruce · May 22, 2014

Here is a Astra A75L 9mm I used to own. It was a former LE evidence gun, cost me $68.00 IIRC. I ordered two mags and a recoil spring from Numrich, cost about $30.00. As you can see, it was ugly. It functioned perfectly and I could pop a Coke can at 25 yards with it.

My brother likes to fiddle with things and he cleaned it up as best he could, then sprayed the slide with high temp grill paint. He then proceeded to sell this Astra to his best friend. The paint has stayed on for four years and a few months, and is carried daily.

AJMBLAZER · May 22, 2014

Oh, I'm a big paint guy. Have an AK and my buddy and I are Eastern Bloc afficienados. Paint is a perfectly good firearm finish.

IFortuna · Feb 5, 2017

ColbyBruce said:
May I suggest you take the stocks off, remove the crane and cylinder, clean the frame, mask off the barrel/trigger/hammer, stuff cotton into the crevices, and spray the frame with with flat black high temp grill or engine paint, and reassemble it. Even when new, the metal parts did not match the frame on the blued versions. The high temp paint works well, the gun will look much better and be more desirable to a buyer.

I know this is a late post however , , , I would not do this procedure as written here. There are special spray finishes made especially for the metal on guns. It fuses with the metal.
It is worth it because paint will eventually peal. This finish can be found online.
I have this gun btw and it is a beauty. Someone said they are not good looking, I strenuously disagree.

one eye joe · Feb 5, 2017

ColbyBruce said:
I have owned several of these revolvers in snubbie and 4" barrels, HS, J.C. Higgins, and Western Auto Revelation versions. I have never met a Sears or Western Auto collector, but a nice, in the box High Standard marked gun will bring $300.00+ in metro Atlanta. Half that for the clones.

That said, I mean no offense, but your gun is in dire need of refinishing, and to me, is a $50.00-$75.00 gun. I have owned and carried lots worse, for less money, because they worked just fine.

May I suggest you take the stocks off, remove the crane and cylinder, clean the frame, mask off the barrel/trigger/hammer, stuff cotton into the crevices, and spray the frame with with flat black high temp grill or engine paint, and reassemble it. Even when new, the metal parts did not match the frame on the blued versions. The high temp paint works well, the gun will look much better and be more desirable to a buyer.

I AGREE WITH ColbyBruce. IN ITS CURRENT STATE, IT WOULD PROBABLY BE A LESS THAN $100. GUN. A LITTLE ELBOW GREASE, AND A CHEAP SPRAY FINISH WILL IMPROVE ITS LOOKS, AND APPEAL A GREAT DEAL.......

AT THAT POINT, I WOULD BE HESITANT TO SELL IT. ITS JUST A HANDY AND USEFUL LITTLE WEAPON TO KEEP AROUND. LEFTY'S HOLSTER MAKES IT A PERFECT CARRY RIG, UNDER A SUMMER T-SHIRT, ETC..........

AJMBLAZER · Feb 5, 2017

I sold the gun for $250 3 years ago with no clean up work. Was as described.

CajunBass · Feb 5, 2017

Even after I realized this was an old thread, I found it interesting. You see, I've got one of those, except mine is a High-Standard, and it's pink. I don't think I've ever seen another one with the short barrel, and birds-head grip.

I paid $225.00 for it about a year or so ago.

tops · Feb 5, 2017

CajunBass said:
Even after I realized this was an old thread, I found it interesting. You see, I've got one of those, except mine is a High-Standard, and it's pink. I don't think I've ever seen another one with the short barrel, and birds-head grip.

I paid $225.00 for it about a year or so ago.

It's like Pap used to say about some women. She would probably be ok but I would be ashamed to be seen with her.

Larry

CajunBass · Feb 5, 2017

tops said:
It's like Pap used to say about some women. She would probably be ok but I would be ashamed to be seen with her. Larry

Come on! What's wrong with her?

I like it, but then my carry gun is a purple Ruger LC9s.

What I really like about the pink HS is that it shows someone was thinking outside the box back in the late 50's. The gun dates to 58-59...something like that. They were obviously aimed at the female market, which back then wasn't very common. They were packed in a nice box with satin lining, and also came in turquoise/chrome (nickel?) and gold/chrome. I've only seen pictures of those.

2152hq · Feb 7, 2017

These H/S revolvers always remind me of one night when shooting in a Bullseye League in the late 70's, a brand new shooter came in to join up. No equipment other than a soft case with a handgun in it under his arm a couple boxes of 22's, some ear plugs and a friendly way about him.

An elderly gent who signed up and then waited around till he was placed on a team,,,our team of less than perfect souls,,to shoot.
In a sea of Model 41's, H/Standard semiautos and tricked out Rugers, he stepped to the line with a H/Standard revolver w/what looked like a 5 or 6" bbl.
Lots of smirks and not so silent laughs from the hi-score crowd which didn t include anyone on our team. He fit right in with us as I was shooting a revolver (K22), my brother a Colt MkIII in 22, a couple Ruger Standard autos w/fixed sites and one almost target 22 in the group, an older slant grip H/Standard auto. We were there for laughs and fun. Our real jobs were stress enough so we never got too serious about our shooting (but did OK occasionally!)

That quiet gent proceded to clean the slow fire with a perfect score and finished with a 298/300 ,,forgot how many X's total.,,and he shot DA in the timed and rapid phases.
He showed up a couple more times, we shot once a week indoors 50' range and he shot just as well with that same worn out looking H/S revolver.
Then we never saw him again. Maybe just visiting in the area,,but wow what a revolver shooter.

I saw one for sale in the box w/papers (a H/S branded one) at a large gunshow 2 weeks ago for $450. It looked flat new from what I could see but didn't ask to handle it. It was sold later on,,don't know what the final sold price was but I doubt it was very cheap.

kip595 · Feb 7, 2017

I recently passed on a Higgins .22 myself at a going out of business pawnshop to read up a bit on them, by the time I'd finished my lunch and reading, realizing what a deal it was at $160 + tax in like new condition, it was gone. I've noticed these trending up more and more in this area over the last couple of years as people sort of 're-discover' what a value they are in good shape.

Fair value of a .22LR JC Higgins (High Standard) Model 88 snub revolver and holster?

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