Is it worth it? - The Firearms Forum

gunfreakboy · 03-16-2006, 03:20 PM

I was at the local gunshop today and saw a High Standard Field King 22 for sale. They have a $279.00 price tag on it and I was wondering if its a fair price. It looked in pretty good shape. The bore looked good and the wood grips were nice. Is there anything else I should look for? They also had a Ruger Mark III for the same price (new) but I really like the feel of the Field King. I am still fairly new to purchasing and any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Pistolenschutze · 03-16-2006, 04:32 PM

To each his own, Gun, but I would go with the Ruger in a New York minute, if for no other reason than reputation and service.

inplanotx · 03-16-2006, 07:59 PM

The first thing you need to tell us is the barrel length. The second is if it is a first model or a second model or the third model. The third thing is it's amount of blueing left in percentage. The price is very inviting and as it is below this models worth at 80% condition. These HS pistols are getting into collectors hands and staying there.

It will outshoot any Ruger ever imagined and still be worth more than a Ruger when time takes its toll. I'd buy it in a hearbeat if the condition warrants it. I have several HS pistols and I would not trade one for ten Rugers and all will outshoot the Ruger any day of the week.

This gun was manufactured in the 1950's depending on the series of pre-100 (lever name series), 100, or 101.\

The serial number would help in identiying it.

gunfreakboy · 03-16-2006, 09:27 PM

I was thinking of getting a .22 plinker and have been checking them out for awhile now. I noticed this one about 3 weeks ago when I was ordering a holster for my 1911. I assume it will be there for a bit and will try to get a better look next week. If I am not mistaken the blueing wasn't really all that good. I will try to get a peek at the serial number also. If it is a decent price, I don't want to give away my interest as I would still like to bargain the price. I was really looking at it as a plinker and also retaining a good value. I love the bull barrel. I am 99% sure it was a 6 inch barrel (6 1/4 or whatever) I was looking at them here and there on the web and I noticed all of them had plastic grips whereas these are smooth wood. I will post when I check it out.

Xracer · 03-17-2006, 07:20 AM

As Tex says, the Field King was made in the 1950's, which makes a Hamden, CT-made pistol. The Hamden-made Hi-Standards are the best made and most collectable of the HS guns.

If it's in 80% condition or better, snap that baby up! As a matter of fact, even if it's less than 80%, but is tight and has a good bore, I'd buy it.

Mind you, I have a Ruger Mk.I, and I like Rugers.....but the Mk.III isn't, and never will be, the same quality weapon as a Hi-Standard.

BTW, the barrel is 6 3/4".

SGVictor · 03-17-2006, 09:48 AM

I am baised towards the High Standards and the Field King is a nice gun. It is probably a lever name series (the first version) or the FK-101 which was the third version. The FK-100 is quite rare since it was made for only about 3 months in early 1954.

Plastic grips were standard but the factory offered checkered walnut grips which were sold separately. It is unlikely that smooth woods grips are factory but I wiuld need to see photos to be sure.

gunfreakboy · 03-17-2006, 04:14 PM

Well it was on my mind a night and day so I bought it. He took 20 bucks off and let me put it on layaway so I should have it next week. Serial number 378xxx. I will post pics when I get it. Thanks for all the input, it was extremely helpful.

22WRF · 03-17-2006, 04:50 PM

Serial number 378xxx
That will be a 1951
I've got to Rugers MK's that stay in the safe since I got my model B

inplanotx · 03-17-2006, 06:39 PM

You got a very good gun at a steal price. You will enjoy it evry time you pull the trigger. You also have a great gun to pass down to your children. Enjoy and let us have some pics when you get it.

SGVictor · 03-18-2006, 05:42 AM

378,xxx is probably a late June or July of 1952 pistol not 1951.

gunfreakboy · 03-21-2006, 11:12 PM

The pics are a bit fuzzy, I forgot to set camera to best pix setting. Hi standard .22 Field king. The bluing appears to be 90% or better. A few scratches but it looks real nice. It is pretty cruddy internally so I will have to clean it. I love the easy way it breaks down. The grips don't have any chips or scratches. The mag doesn't have any markings either. Wil try to pop off some rounds ASAP, but may be a week or two.

stash247 · 03-22-2006, 02:19 AM

Early HS, circa late 40's, early 50's, all mags will fit, but later, cheaper mags , will require a "fitting cut" of about .020-.040 instep, in the heel of the mag, with a file, to accomodate fitting. Your pistol is a model "G", or "GB", by their nomenclature, with a wedge type barrel retention, prone to loosening,with a lot of shooting. Don't worry about that, much, as it is repairable!
The trick with non-standard mags is to file and try, until they will latch, then stop, right there. Any mag that will fit, will feed, until it falls away, so file, and fit, until it latches , securely, then stop. I usuallly filea .250" flat, at the rear/heel of the mag

SGVictor · 03-22-2006, 06:31 AM

That is a good looking gun. The walnut grips are not factory. Original grips were plastic and factory checkered walnut grips wer available as ann accessory.

The magazine you have is the original finger style that is appropriate for a 1952 Field King. The later factory lip style magazines wil also work.

You can find scans of High Standard catalogs for 1952 on my website at: http://www.histandard.info/datapubli...ilia/catalogs/

John Stimson
www.histandard.info

Xracer · 03-22-2006, 06:52 AM

BTW John.....I don't know if anybody officially welcomed you to TFF, so I'll do it now.

Hi John........welcome to TFF!.

You seem to have a store of knowledge on Hi-Standards, so we hope you'll stick around the "Ask The Pro's & What's It Worth?" Forum to help us out when we get questions on these fine pistols.

inplanotx · 03-22-2006, 07:46 AM

A hearty welcome to you John. Glad to have you with us. I only have two HS pistols at the moment, a HD Military and a Model B and I love them both. Great site you have there. Thanks for all the great information.

gunfreakboy · 03-22-2006, 09:47 AM

Welcome John, I was looking at your website and found exploded diagrams of the pistol. Can you tell me which one was for mine?

SGVictor · 03-22-2006, 10:15 AM

Hello Gunfreakboy,

Your Field King is from the Lever Name design series which is the second lever take down series. I have several manuals for that series but only reference number 162 is presently available on line right now. The date on that manual is very close to when your Field King was made.

SGVictor · 03-22-2006, 10:20 AM

Hello Inplanotx and Xracer,

Thanks for the welcome.

I am a collector and researcher of High Standard products. I visit various forums looking for High Standard information - I never know where I might find new information. Most forums have little to no traffic about High Standard even the ones tha tspeciaize in High Standard.

I will be by from time to time. If you need sudden service, I visit my own forum several times a day.

03-16-2006, 03:20 PM	#1
gunfreakboy V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Buffalo, N.Y. Posts: 338	Is it worth it? I was at the local gunshop today and saw a High Standard Field King 22 for sale. They have a $279.00 price tag on it and I was wondering if its a fair price. It looked in pretty good shape. The bore looked good and the wood grips were nice. Is there anything else I should look for? They also had a Ruger Mark III for the same price (new) but I really like the feel of the Field King. I am still fairly new to purchasing and any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks. -->

03-16-2006, 04:32 PM	#2
Pistolenschutze Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 13,094	Re: Is it worth it? To each his own, Gun, but I would go with the Ruger in a New York minute, if for no other reason than reputation and service. __________________ --Pistolenschutze (Pistol Shooter)

03-16-2006, 07:59 PM	#3
inplanotx Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 8,897	Re: Is it worth it? The first thing you need to tell us is the barrel length. The second is if it is a first model or a second model or the third model. The third thing is it's amount of blueing left in percentage. The price is very inviting and as it is below this models worth at 80% condition. These HS pistols are getting into collectors hands and staying there. It will outshoot any Ruger ever imagined and still be worth more than a Ruger when time takes its toll. I'd buy it in a hearbeat if the condition warrants it. I have several HS pistols and I would not trade one for ten Rugers and all will outshoot the Ruger any day of the week. This gun was manufactured in the 1950's depending on the series of pre-100 (lever name series), 100, or 101.\ The serial number would help in identiying it. __________________

03-16-2006, 09:27 PM	#4
gunfreakboy V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Buffalo, N.Y. Posts: 338	Re: Is it worth it? I was thinking of getting a .22 plinker and have been checking them out for awhile now. I noticed this one about 3 weeks ago when I was ordering a holster for my 1911. I assume it will be there for a bit and will try to get a better look next week. If I am not mistaken the blueing wasn't really all that good. I will try to get a peek at the serial number also. If it is a decent price, I don't want to give away my interest as I would still like to bargain the price. I was really looking at it as a plinker and also retaining a good value. I love the bull barrel. I am 99% sure it was a 6 inch barrel (6 1/4 or whatever) I was looking at them here and there on the web and I noticed all of them had plastic grips whereas these are smooth wood. I will post when I check it out.

03-17-2006, 07:20 AM	#5
Xracer TFF Admin Staff Mediator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Minn-eeee-sota, ya, sure, you bet! Posts: 9,144	Re: Is it worth it? As Tex says, the Field King was made in the 1950's, which makes a Hamden, CT-made pistol. The Hamden-made Hi-Standards are the best made and most collectable of the HS guns. If it's in 80% condition or better, snap that baby up! As a matter of fact, even if it's less than 80%, but is tight and has a good bore, I'd buy it. Mind you, I have a Ruger Mk.I, and I like Rugers.....but the Mk.III isn't, and never will be, the same quality weapon as a Hi-Standard. BTW, the barrel is 6 3/4".

03-17-2006, 09:48 AM	#6
SGVictor V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 195	Re: Is it worth it? I am baised towards the High Standards and the Field King is a nice gun. It is probably a lever name series (the first version) or the FK-101 which was the third version. The FK-100 is quite rare since it was made for only about 3 months in early 1954. Plastic grips were standard but the factory offered checkered walnut grips which were sold separately. It is unlikely that smooth woods grips are factory but I wiuld need to see photos to be sure.

03-17-2006, 04:14 PM	#7
gunfreakboy V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Buffalo, N.Y. Posts: 338	Re: Is it worth it? Well it was on my mind a night and day so I bought it. He took 20 bucks off and let me put it on layaway so I should have it next week. Serial number 378xxx. I will post pics when I get it. Thanks for all the input, it was extremely helpful.

03-17-2006, 04:50 PM	#8
22WRF Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pea Ridge, FL Contributor Posts: 4,268	Re: Is it worth it? Serial number 378xxx That will be a 1951 I've got to Rugers MK's that stay in the safe since I got my model B __________________ NRA GOA CCRKBA Happiness is a warm barrel

03-17-2006, 06:39 PM	#9
inplanotx Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 8,897	Re: Is it worth it? You got a very good gun at a steal price. You will enjoy it evry time you pull the trigger. You also have a great gun to pass down to your children. Enjoy and let us have some pics when you get it. __________________

03-18-2006, 05:42 AM	#10
SGVictor V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 195	Re: Is it worth it? 378,xxx is probably a late June or July of 1952 pistol not 1951.

03-21-2006, 11:12 PM	#11
gunfreakboy V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Buffalo, N.Y. Posts: 338	Re: Is it worth it? The pics are a bit fuzzy, I forgot to set camera to best pix setting. Hi standard .22 Field king. The bluing appears to be 90% or better. A few scratches but it looks real nice. It is pretty cruddy internally so I will have to clean it. I love the easy way it breaks down. The grips don't have any chips or scratches. The mag doesn't have any markings either. Wil try to pop off some rounds ASAP, but may be a week or two. Attached Images

03-22-2006, 02:19 AM	#12
stash247 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Texas Posts: 2,815	Re: Is it worth it? Early HS, circa late 40's, early 50's, all mags will fit, but later, cheaper mags , will require a "fitting cut" of about .020-.040 instep, in the heel of the mag, with a file, to accomodate fitting. Your pistol is a model "G", or "GB", by their nomenclature, with a wedge type barrel retention, prone to loosening,with a lot of shooting. Don't worry about that, much, as it is repairable! The trick with non-standard mags is to file and try, until they will latch, then stop, right there. Any mag that will fit, will feed, until it falls away, so file, and fit, until it latches , securely, then stop. I usuallly filea .250" flat, at the rear/heel of the mag __________________ Don't start no s**t and there won't be none, Terry

03-22-2006, 06:31 AM	#13
SGVictor V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 195	Re: Is it worth it? That is a good looking gun. The walnut grips are not factory. Original grips were plastic and factory checkered walnut grips wer available as ann accessory. The magazine you have is the original finger style that is appropriate for a 1952 Field King. The later factory lip style magazines wil also work. You can find scans of High Standard catalogs for 1952 on my website at: http://www.histandard.info/datapubli...ilia/catalogs/ John Stimson www.histandard.info

03-22-2006, 06:52 AM	#14
Xracer TFF Admin Staff Mediator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Minn-eeee-sota, ya, sure, you bet! Posts: 9,144	Re: Is it worth it? BTW John.....I don't know if anybody officially welcomed you to TFF, so I'll do it now. Hi John........welcome to TFF!. You seem to have a store of knowledge on Hi-Standards, so we hope you'll stick around the "Ask The Pro's & What's It Worth?" Forum to help us out when we get questions on these fine pistols.

03-22-2006, 07:46 AM	#15
inplanotx Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 8,897	Re: Is it worth it? A hearty welcome to you John. Glad to have you with us. I only have two HS pistols at the moment, a HD Military and a Model B and I love them both. Great site you have there. Thanks for all the great information. __________________

03-22-2006, 09:47 AM	#16
gunfreakboy V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Buffalo, N.Y. Posts: 338	Re: Is it worth it? Welcome John, I was looking at your website and found exploded diagrams of the pistol. Can you tell me which one was for mine?

03-22-2006, 10:15 AM	#17
SGVictor V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 195	Re: Is it worth it? Hello Gunfreakboy, Your Field King is from the Lever Name design series which is the second lever take down series. I have several manuals for that series but only reference number 162 is presently available on line right now. The date on that manual is very close to when your Field King was made.

03-22-2006, 10:20 AM	#18
SGVictor V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 195	Re: Is it worth it? Hello Inplanotx and Xracer, Thanks for the welcome. I am a collector and researcher of High Standard products. I visit various forums looking for High Standard information - I never know where I might find new information. Most forums have little to no traffic about High Standard even the ones tha tspeciaize in High Standard. I will be by from time to time. If you need sudden service, I visit my own forum several times a day.