Anyone remember this little derringer?

[PALADIN85020]

These were very popular as hideout or concealment weapons in the 1960s and 1970s. This is the Hi-Standard D-101 .22 LR Derringer. It's very compact and flat, and fires two shots from its over-under barrels sequentially, double action only. It breaks open for loading and unloading just like an over-under shotgun. I've fired this one fairly accurately at 15 yards by staging the trigger. It was made in January, 1970 and is complete with its presentation case and papers.

Anyone else have or remember this little stinger?

 

[straightshooter1]

Carried one in my left rear pocket for several years as a police officer. It carried flatter if the grips were removed.

After I became an Assistant State Attorney, I found our office had a number of these. But, all had suffered the fate these were famous for-they'd only fire one barrel after they'd been shot a lot.

I had a couple fixed, but parts were so hard to find. I "think" we finally sold them or traded them in for Glocks.

Bob

 

[cmort666]

My late uncle who was a cab driver in Chicago, once shot himself in the finger with one.

One day a guy got into his cab and pulled an apparent firearm on him. This was long before bullet resistant shields existed, so he reached over the seat and grabbed the guy's "gun". As they fought over the "gun", the cab careened onto the sidewalk and through the wall of a drycleaners. The holdup man jumped out and my uncle jumped out after him, his High Standard derringer in his hand. He took aim at the holdup man and fired. Unfortunately, he pulled the double-action trigger with his second finger while holding his index finger in front of the muzzle, breaking his finger. The robber fled unharmed. Returning to the wrecked cab, my uncle discovered the robber's "gun", a water pistol, on the floor of the passenger compartment.

This being pre-Richie Daley/Fr. Phleger Chicago, he was neither arrested nor charged.

 

[HAWKEYE10]

I remember that gun very well. Don

 

[motorpat]

Owned two

Between 1965 and 1970 I owned two High Standard 22mag derringers (blue and nickle). I carried one as a BUG while on duty. You really had to hang on when firing one. If you missed the target you could set it on fire from the 1 1/2 foot muzzle flash. A friend of mine still has one.

 

[sigp220.45]

I always liked those little guns. If I ever find one at a decent price I will make it mine.

I remember a Guns and Ammo Annual from the mid seventies where one of these was reviewed. The tester fired it on paper at 25 yards, and I think he managed around a five inch group. I always think of that when I read a modern gun magazine and the writer will only shoot a gun at 7 or 10 yards.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

I have one just like yours in a little Bianchi holster. It was used in a double murder but I don't know the details yet. Mine's 22 Magnum. I pinched my finger real bad pulling the trigger incorrectly. Be careful.

 

[jframe]

I'd like to have that one! January 1970 is not only my birth year, it's my birth month as well. Pretty cool little gun.

 

[xray97]

I have the .22mag version that I carried as a Bug in the late 70's. Was a handy little pocket gun for use on patrol .

 

[Texas Star]

I used to know a guy whose parents ran a big gun store. He had a sideline of dealing in very high grade shotguns: Purdey, Boss, that sort of thing.

He owned only two handguns, I think. A surplus .45 auto and a Hi-Standard derringer.

I heard that there were reliability problems with the little .22, so never got one.

Interesting post, though.

T-Star

 

[PALADIN85020]

I used to know a guy whose parents ran a big gun store. He had a sideline of dealing in very high grade shotguns: Purdey, Boss, that sort of thing.

He owned only two handguns, I think. A surplus .45 auto and a Hi-Standard derringer.

I heard that there were reliability problems with the little .22, so never got one.

Interesting post, though.

T-Star

The problems I've seen reported from time to time have been centered around the .22 magnum version, which apparently tended to shoot loose from extended use. The .22 LR pistols held together really well. I've had this one since the 1970s, and while I haven't fired it extensively, it still gives good, reliable service.

 

[OLDFED]

I've owned three...all magnums. Carried one as a BUG in the '60's. Still have two. Needs to be fired from the middle finger, with the index finger alongside the bbl...as long as your finger isn't longer than the bbl. The "flame" comment is on target. I always said that if I missed my target with the bullet, I'd burn them to death. Wasn't built for heavy sue...just backup, so mine never wore out. Nice gun! Saw one about 9 months ago for $175.

 

[DeathGrip]

Here you gne a few months ago.I passed.
The frame didn't line up from side to side and looked like it had been apart and put together out of alignment.not visable in these pics.
Can you see the beautiest of scratching on the thing?








D.G.

 

[Spike66]

I have one of those in .22 mag. I have to aim the first shot a bit low but the second shot is right on. After about 6 rounds, you really don't want to shoot it anymore as it makes your hand hurt.

 

[NKJ nut]

I have one of those little guns in 22 LR. It is surprisingly accurate.

One thing to be aware of is; a company used to make a wallet holster for this gun. With the grips removed the gun was fired without removing it from the wallet holster. With the wallet holster attached to the gun, this is now considered a Class III AOW, along with cane guns, pen guns and other concealable weapons that really don't qualify as handguns, at least by gov't standards.

 

[Mickey D]

Yep, I've got an early one in my collection too.

 

[feralmerril]

I gave one in .22 lr to my daughter about 10-13 years ago. Wonder if she still has it.

 

[n4zov]

American Derringer manufactures something very similar to the old High Standard design:

Double Action Derringers

For serial number and historical info. on the High Standard, here is a good link:

High Standard Revolvers

 

[pocketpistol]

Mine, in .22 Mag is pushing 40 yrs old, got it in the early '70s. Carried a lot, shot some, always figured it was a "get off me gun".

 

[2152hq]

I had on in 22LR in '71. Used to misfire on one bbl more often than not. Went down the trade road for something else. I'd have kept it if it worked better as it sure was a handy little piece.
IIRC, the Badge price was around $40 for it back then,,& a M36 w/ 2" or 3" bbl was $65.