High Standard Model HD Military Serial Numbers: The Ultimate Collector’s Guide
: These were the integral suppressed "Military-Silent" variants used by the OSS and CIA. Model H-D Military (Post-War Commercial) Serial Range 150,000 to approximately 330,000 : 1946–1955.
On original, unaltered pistols, the last four or five digits of the serial number should be stamped on the underside of the slide matching the frame. histandard model hd military serial numbers best
As of early 2026, the market for High Standard HD pistols shows steady, modest appreciation.
The single most valuable online resource for Hi‑Standard serial numbers is . Researcher John Stimson obtained the complete Hi‑Standard serial number lists from the factory archives. He has published detailed charts, shipping record excerpts, and model‑specific information on his website. For the HD Military, his pages provide: High Standard Model HD Military Serial Numbers: The
Before diving into serialization, it is essential to understand why this specific model commands such high interest. The letter in the designation stands for "Hammer," indicating its external hammer design, which distinguished it from High Standard’s earlier striker-fired models like the Model B. The "D" designated the heavy barrel framework.
A suppressed High Standard Model HD (Serial #120046) was famously recovered by Soviet forces from the cockpit of CIA pilot Francis Gary Powers when his U-2 spy plane was shot down over Sverdlovsk in 1960. As of early 2026, the market for High
Unlike the highly polished, deep-blued commercial versions made after 1946, actual wartime trainers often feature a non-reflective, utilitarian Parkerized finish designed to withstand rugged military environments.
Disclaimer: This review is based on historical collecting data. Hi-Standard underwent several ownership changes (including Mitchell and Marlin), and later reproductions exist. Always consult a serial number lookup chart specific to the "HS" prefix for the most accurate dating.
Serial numbers are the most reliable way to date your pistol, though they were not always shipped in perfect numerical order. Standard Serial Range