GUN SPRING 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/11/2017
SCARCE PRUDHOMME ENGRAVED WITH GOLD HIGH STANDARD SUPERMATIC TROPHY MODEL 102 SEMI-AUTO PISTOL. HI STANDARD 102 791249 22LR MODERN; C&R Cal 22 LR. Blue finish with 9" "Buck Rogers" tapered bbl with muzzle brake which has a Partridge front sight. The fully adjustable rear sight is at the rear end of the bbl over the chamber area. The bbl also has 2 orig weights. Pistol is full coverage engraved in relief patterns of flowing foliate & arabesque scrolls that has a fine stippled background. Sides of the slide & frame are outlined in gold wire. Top of the bbl over the chamber area is relief engraved with a standing woodchuck. Center part of the bbl is relief engraved with a raised gold squirrel on a limb surrounded by gold wire inlay. Rear edge of the muzzle break boss is also inlaid in fine gold wire. Rear of the slide & frame are engraved to match with a small Confederate style flag engraved with the engraver's name on one of the bars. Trigger bow is engraved in relief floral patterns and inlaid in gold with the initials "WJD". WJD is William J. Donovan – Vice President of Sales for High Standard. This was his personal gun! Pistol is mounted with incredible, one of a kind grips that have fully engraved silver sheathing over wood base. Bottom edge of left grip is engraved "S.P HERRETT". Herrett grips are world renowned and widely known for their quality and style. Bottom of the magazine is maker marked and lightly engraved. Bottom of the bbl, just in front of the frame is stamped with tiny initial "P". Edward C. Prudhomme "1911-1990" was a master engraver and produced numerous high quality engraved firearms over his career. Very few were more well executed than the high standard pistol offered here. The extraordinary engraving & gold work along with the incredible, one of a kind set of silver grips make this pistol one of his finest pieces of work. Accompanied by a custom red felt lined oak casing that has the high standard oval logo inside the lid. Also in the case is an orig set of high standard full checkered, thumb rest wood grips with 2 engraved grip screws. Included with this gun is information from the engraver, E.C. Prudhomme, along with a Prudhomme catalog wherein this exact gun is featured. As well, there are letters from High Standard Head of Sales, Bill Donovan concerning this gun and confirming it as being used in the 1964-1965 Worlds Fair display in the Connecticut Pavillion representing the Firearms Industry of Connecticut that High Standard was part of. One of only 6 known engraved High Standard Pistols according to our consignor that can be proven to be factory engraved as ordered by The V.P. of Sales, William Donovan. PROVENANCE: The Frank H. Wheaton, III Collection. CONDITION: Extremely fine. Overall retains about 99% crisp custom finish applied at the time of engraving. Pistol remains unfired since engraving. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. Case is very fine with some minor chips in the finish and a grain check in the lid. Interior is moderately soiled & faded. 51516-19 JRL (12,500-15,000)