High Standard responded with the (the "H" indicating an external hammer). Following the conclusion of the war, High Standard capitalized on the pistol's massive military success by introducing it to the commercial market as the "H-D Military" model starting in late 1945 and early 1946. Production continued through the company's move to Hamden, Connecticut, until the series was phased out in the early 1950s.
In 1932, High Standard began manufacturing its first semi‑automatic .22 LR pistols. The earliest “Regular Serial Number” guns started at 5,000 and shipped on October 15, 1932. Over the next decade, the company refined its designs, introducing the Model A, the hammerless Model A, and the heavier‑barreled Model D. By 1940, High Standard wanted a gun that felt and handled like the standard‑issue Colt M1911A1 .45 ACP, but chambered in cheap, low‑recoil .22 LR. The result was the Model HD – essentially a Model D with a visible external hammer, an exposed hammer design that deliberately mimicked the look and manual‑of‑arms of a 1911.
If you have a serial number and want to check its "pedigree," use this general timeline: Serial Number Range Approx. Year Significance Peak WWII military production 150,000 – 200,000 1946–1947 High-quality civilian transition 210,000 – 310,000 1948–1949 Most common "shooter" models 320,000 – 340,000 Final production runs ✅ Collector Tips for Buying
Across all three main models, High Standard manufactured a little over 200,000 HD‑series pistols between 1940 and 1955. The vast majority – approximately 150,000 – were the postwar HD Military model, built from late 1945 through 1950 (some sources extend the figure to 1955).
: Military firearms often carry specific markings, including serial numbers, manufacturer's marks, and sometimes military acceptance stamps. These can be crucial for identifying the gun's origin, model, and service history.
Original "pinned" magazines are rare and can be worth $100+ alone.
While the HD Military is common and often used as a high-quality "plinker," its value varies based on condition and history.
by John G. Curry is considered the authoritative source for matching serial numbers to exact shipping dates.
To locate the serial number on your Model H-D Military, look closely at the or on the left side of the slide and frame assembly . High Standard Military H-D: An Heirloom Plinker
The "Military" in the post-war name refers to the style (aimed at target shooters) rather than active combat service. 🔍 Identifying the "Best" Models
Starting around 1975, High Standard transitioned from purely numeric serial numbers to alphanumeric prefixes. If your HD Military carries a prefix such as , SH , or G , it was made after 1975, which immediately tells you it is not a wartime or immediate‑postwar gun. (Production of the HD Military proper ended in 1955, so any HD with a letter prefix would be a later High Standard model, not the true HD Military.)