Gift from a Friend—High Standard Supermatic Citation—Fooled Me

[sophie]

Yesterday, out of the blue, I was gifted this nice High Standard Supermatic Citation from the middle 1950's from a good friend of mine. He said he wanted me to have this pistol and it wasn't up for discussion. He had owned this gun since the middle 70's and shot it once in all these years. I had admired this pistol before after seeing it a couple of times. He had me research this gun several years ago just out of curiosity. He was the second owner.
I am now the 3rd owner of this nice High Standard Supermatic Citation and would like some help and advice from the High Standard owners on this forum. I know there's forum members who own High Standard Target Pistols because I've seen the pictures here.
I would appreciate any and all comments on this gun. The serial number is 5316XX and shows 1955 build date from the information I find.
According to both previous owners this is the original box and what confuses me is the box shows the barrel length at 7 1/4" when it is actually 6 3/4" and the gun is all original. The box end description looks to me like it is for a 7 1/4" Fluted barrel Military Model but the cutout is not long enough and the grip angle of the box is the early slanted design correct for this gun.
The target grips look like Herret's to me, but have no identifying marks on the inside.
This gun is in really good condition.
From what I can find this High Standard Supermatic Citation S-101, Military Model was manufactured in 1955.
The only place I see Military Model is on the box description. I know from reading some forums that High Standard has some research problems just like other gun manufacturers we know.
Let me hear from you High Standard Owners.
I've not gotten over the fact that my friend gifted me this gun yet.
I will shoot it next week.
Yippee

 

[BC38]

I can't offer any info, but nice gun and nice gift.
Does your buddy need any more friends?

 

[Rubone]

I believe that Supermatic Citation sticker on the box got there mistakenly. That is an S101 Supermatic, not a Citation, and not military model. Also the barrel length is 6-7/8 with the factory ports.
I have the same pistol that is a bit newer than yours and with both available barrels.

This is a link to a Military Model Supermatic Citation in the BB.

https://bluebookofgunvalues.com/products/high-standard-pistols-semi-auto-106-series-military-models-supermatic-citation-military

 

[tlawler]

That is a beautiful pistol and in very nice shape. I picked one up a couple of weeks ago and I'm just learning about them myself, so I can't help out too much. Mine is a S-101 Supermatic as well. It looks like your s/n is 5315xx, so it's a bit older than mine. One of our forum members is John Stimson, who is a former employee of High Standard, has written books about them, and is a guru of all things High Standard. He replied to the thread I started about the one I purchased, and I found out mine, 592518 had shipped on 8/18/1956. Perhaps John will chime in, especially since it is such a well preserved specimen. Here's the thread I started with a lot of good info in it on the Supermatics:

Thread 'High Standard Supermatic'

Jun 27, 2025

I'm not very familiar with High Standard pistols, but I'm going to look at a Model 41 S&W this afternoon and the gentleman said he was also selling a High Standard target pistol from the late '50s or early '60s
From the pictures, I see that it is a Supermatic, but other than that, I don't know much about these pistols. I'm hoping that some of you fine gentleman that are familiar with them can give me a quick lesson on them and a fair price range.

• tlawler
• Replies: 43
• Forum: Firearms & Knives: Other Brands & General Topics

• 

 

[Fullmetaljacket]

You have a nice Supermatic 101 in a Citation box. The magazine shown fits the 101, is there another magazine like it in the smaller box?

 

[sophie]

I believe that Supermatic Citation sticker on the box got there mistakenly. That is an S101 Supermatic, not a Citation, and not military model. Also the barrel length is 6-7/8 with the factory ports.
I have the same pistol that is a bit newer than yours and with both available barrels.

This is a link to a Military Model Supermatic Citation in the BB.

https://bluebookofgunvalues.com/products/high-standard-pistols-semi-auto-106-series-military-models-supermatic-citation-military

View attachment 775432

Rubone, thanks for the comment and information and the good pictures of your Supermatic. That's nice to have both length barrels. Nice gun. I don't know much bout the older High Standard guns but I'm learning.

I felt like the sticker on my box was a mistake also because like you said, it's not labeled as a Citation or a Military Model, only an S-101 Supermatic. It's sure not a 7 14/" barrel either. Somewhere down the road years ago it wound up with the wrong box, or box top.
I have a High Standard Supermatic Trophy with a 7 1/4" fluted barrel from about 1980 and it was after High Standard moved to East Hartford. It's a great shooter, but by then they had gone to white foam 2 piece boxes instead of the colorful 2 piece box.
I'm having to refresh my memory on how to quote a post on our new software. I like this new system
Thanks again, and for the link also.

 

[sophie]

You have a nice Supermatic 101 in a Citation box. The magazine shown fits the 101, is there another magazine like it in the smaller box?

Full metal jacket, thanks for your comments and reply and I had thought this box label was wrong because as you and Rubone have said the label on the box is wrong.
In regards to the magazine question, the original magazine fits the box also, but in the box is a magazine that identifies as High Standard and has a metal follower instead of a green plastic follower like the black magazine. It looks like it was chrome at one time but actually looks pretty old. Other than that I've not tried it in the gun and probably won't.
Tell me what you think about the worn chrome looking magazine.

 

[kennethg]

That is a great pistol and gift. Be sure to only fire standard velocity ammo in it. You probably already knew that as you have another HS pistol but I thought I would through this out here for those who are not aware of high velocity ammo stressing and cracking some of the frames in certain areas.
I recently started shooting my series 103 and 104 but installed new recoil springs in them before doing so.
These are great and classic pistols.

 

[dsf]

If you have any issues with function the usual fix is to tweak the magazine feed lips. The HS semi pistols don't have a feed ramp so the angle of delivery is paramount. There are a few tools available specifically for adjusting them, worth having in your pocket so to speak.

Supermatic Citation "Military" followed by a few other odds & ends -

 

[Goony]

The "white" magazine is cadmium plated. There is a difference of opinion about whether these date to the period in which your gun was manufactured or a bit later (around 1959). In any case, High Standard abandoned them pretty quickly. The plating process was flawed in that a corrosive contaminant was not entirely removed. When stored in less than ideal conditions, this can result in dulling external deposits forming but more insidiously the magazine's dimensions may swell. Such magazines left in a gun have been known to for all practical purposes become fused to the inside of the magazine well.

 

[sophie]

The "white" magazine is cadmium plated. There is a difference of opinion about whether these date to the period in which your gun was manufactured or a bit later (around 1959). In any case, High Standard abandoned them pretty quickly. The plating process was flawed in that a corrosive contaminant was not entirely removed. When stored in less than ideal conditions, this can result in dulling external deposits forming but more insidiously the magazine's dimensions may swell. Such magazines left in a gun have been known to for all practical purposes become fused to the inside of the magazine well.

Goony, Thanks for the information on the chrome looking High Standard Magazine. I have not seen a magazine like this one. Your description and explanation of this "white" magazine is spot on in the way this one looks. It has white areas, kinda splotchy, and shiny areas too. I don't know the background of this cadmium plated magazine, but it's nothing I would ever use. My friend that gifted me this nice High Standard only shot it 1 time in the last 45-50 years he owned it and he used the factory black magazine with the green follower per our conversation. This "white" magazine will be a conversation piece only laying in a shelf.
Thanks again for your help.
James

 

[sophie]

If you have any issues with function the usual fix is to tweak the magazine feed lips. The HS semi pistols don't have a feed ramp so the angle of delivery is paramount. There are a few tools available specifically for adjusting them, worth having in your pocket so to speak.

Supermatic Citation "Military" followed by a few other odds & ends -

View attachment 775532

View attachment 775533

View attachment 775534

View attachment 775535

dsf, -Thanks for the heads up on the High Standard magazine lips and I'll look into the tools you talk about to bend the lips so slightly. You have some nice pictures of your High Standard Pistols. I didn't know High Standard ever made that Model G 380 you have. Research shows they were made from 1947 to 1950. I had to look it up. Very cool gun. The Model H-D Military Pistol is great looking gun and really good shape. The Duramatic doesn't look like it goes to the range much and the original blue box is flat good looking.

Now to the Supermatic Citation with the 7 1/4" fluted barrel. That looks like the gun you probably take to the range. I like them all.

I have a Supermatic Trophy from 1980 with the 7 1/4" fluted barrel also and I just had to have the gun at the time. I shot Hunter's Pistol Silhouette matches in 1980-83 and shot a S&W Model 17 with 8 3/8" barrel and a Leopold 4X EER Scope and done okay but not as good as my friend David. David had a High Standard Supermatic Citation with the 7 1/4" fluted barrel and we both shot the small bore matches. David always shot iron sights in small bore and big bore matches and seldom did I beat his score, so naturally I've just got to have me one of those High Standards too. I bought the Supermatic Trophy I have pictured and love it. After shooting the HS Trophy a while I really shot it pretty good but I kept shooting my S&W Model 17 in the matches. Thanks for posting the pictures.

 

[dsf]

dsf, -Thanks for the heads up on the High Standard magazine lips and I'll look into the tools you talk about to bend the lips so slightly. You have some nice pictures of your High Standard Pistols. I didn't know High Standard ever made that Model G 380 you have. Research shows they were made from 1947 to 1950. I had to look it up. Very cool gun. The Model H-D Military Pistol is great looking gun and really good shape. The Duramatic doesn't look like it goes to the range much and the original blue box is flat good looking.

Now to the Supermatic Citation with the 7 1/4" fluted barrel. That looks like the gun you probably take to the range. I like them all.

I have a Supermatic Trophy from 1980 with the 7 1/4" fluted barrel also and I just had to have the gun at the time. I shot Hunter's Pistol Silhouette matches in 1980-83 and shot a S&W Model 17 with 8 3/8" barrel and a Leopold 4X EER Scope and done okay but not as good as my friend David. David had a High Standard Supermatic Citation with the 7 1/4" fluted barrel and we both shot the small bore matches. David always shot iron sights in small bore and big bore matches and seldom did I beat his score, so naturally I've just got to have me one of those High Standards too. I bought the Supermatic Trophy I have pictured and love it. After shooting the HS Trophy a while I really shot it pretty good but I kept shooting my S&W Model 17 in the matches. Thanks for posting the pictures.View attachment 775643

Thank you. I'm still looking for a muzzle brake for the Citation, just can't bring myself to fork over the big $$$ for one. Now that's an item the new HS company should reproduce - bet they'd sell out fast.

Re the Citation, I haven't had it for long, but it does get most use. Just got it at an OR gun store, and for a very good (under $400.00) price. Prices on the HS line, especially their revolvers, have increased over the years. But there are still good deals out there, I think fueled by the "it's not a Smith 41 or Colt Match" mindset of some local stores.

 

[richard.r]

I don't care what box it's in, that's a really nice High Standard.
Richard

 

[Mongo Safari]

Re: sophie,
I have the HS Supermatic Trophy, 1979? , military
Your magazines are definitely not HS military mags nor is the magazine release on the good-looking pistol not military model. So what?
I bet it shoot nicely, and you will love as much as I love mine.
sorry can't find picture of mil magazine base plate for the mil mag release.

 

[Fishinfool]

OP - That is a beauty. I would also recommend SV loads, and maybe a spring replacement. Quality guns that are undervalued in today's market.

I have an old Military Supermatic Citation with a Leupold scope mounted. With the right ammo, it will outshoot most .22 rifles at 25 yards.

Larry

 

[sophie]

OP - That is a beauty. I would also recommend SV loads, and maybe a spring replacement. Quality guns that are undervalued in today's market.

I have an old Military Supermatic Citation with a Leupold scope mounted. With the right ammo, it will outshoot most .22 rifles at 25 yards.

Larry

View attachment 775778

Larry, Thats a good looking Supermatic Citation and I like the longer fluted barrels.
I do recognize the Leopold Gold Ring - 2X EER Pistol Scope. That is a EER Pistol Scope isn't it? Some guys started using rifle scopes on their pistols and had a strange way to lock their arms to draw the gun closer to their face. I never tried that style. I still have that same scope in the box and I also still have 2 of the Leopold Gold Ring -4X EER Pistol Scopes on a S&W Model 27-2 w/8 3/8" barrel in 357 magnum and a S&W Model 17-2 w/8 3/8" barrel in .22LR. You want to talk about seeing yourself shake when aiming the 4X power scopes will really show the nervousness. I bought all 3 of the Leopold pistol scopes in 1980 when I was shooting Hunter's Pistol Silhouette matches for several years. Great fun.

 

[Goony]

A recent addition to my collection, a circa 1958 Model 102 Trophy with the 10" barrel. The weights and muzzlebrake were included, which constituted nice bonuses. It also came with one of the aforementioned cadmium plated magazines, which may have been original to the gun, but for previously stated reasons will be stored separately.

 

[sophie]

A recent addition to my collection, a circa 1958 Model 102 Trophy with the 10" barrel. The weights and muzzlebreak were included, which constituted nice bonuses. It also came with one of the aforementioned cadmium plated magazines, which may have been original to the gun, but for previously stated reasons will be stored separately.

Goony, That is a cool gun. I've always admired the 10" barrel High Standard Trophy with the muzzle brake and weights.
We had a guy here in Amarillo in our gun club in the early 1980's that shot that same gun in the small bore Hunter's Pistol Silhouette Matches and he was a heck of a shot. I notice most guys call that a space gun and they are cool looking. I should have bought one like that many years ago. Most are above my pay grade now. Very nice gun and thanks for sharing.

 

[Fishinfool]

sophie - Yes, a Leupold 2x EER scope. I have a couple of them on big bore Handguns, and they hold up. I run a 4x EER on my Super 14 .223 Contender, but that is a rig best fired from a rest. Short eye relief rifle scopes on a handgun, especially one with any recoil never made a lot of sense to me, but I too have seen competitors do so.

Larry