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The High Standard Double-Nine Revolver
and Other Western-Style Revolvers
by Ed Buffaloe
There isn’t an extended history to High Standard’s revolver line, like there is to their line of semi-automatic target pistols. They didn’t design their first revolver, the Sentinel, until 1955, probably at the behest of Sears, which was a large
shareholder in the company. The Double-Nine, a double-action nine shot Western style revolver, first appeared in 1958.
It had an aluminum frame, a rebounding hammer, and a 5½ inch barrel. They were available in both blue and nickel
finish, though I have seen far fewer in nickel than in blue. Sears sold the gun as the J.C. Higgins Ranger Model 90, and
later also as the Ranger De Luxe. High Standard also made western style revolvers for Western Auto and Kroydon.
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W-100. The first Double-Nine series was called the W-100.
- W-101. After about a year, in early 1959, the trigger mechanism was slightly modified for the W-101 series.
- W-102. In 1960, for the W-102 series, a return spring was added to the ejector rod. On the earlier models, if you didn’t remember to manually retract the ejector into the cylinder
before closing the cylinder you would put a nasty scratch on the left side of the frame. The “Longhorn,” “Posse,” and “Natchez” models were first manufactured in 1960, with
shipments beginning in September. The “Longhorn” was sold with 4½, 5½, and 9½ inch barrels; the “Posse” had walnut
grips and a 3½ inch barrel; and the “Natchez” featured a birds-head grip and a 4½ inch barrel. Sears also sold versions of the 9½ Longhorn, Natches, and Posse. The W-102 series of the Double-Nine was only in production
for a few months before it transitioned to the W-103, whereas the W-102 Longhorns were in production for about a year.
- W-103. This series appeared arround March of 1961. The changes were mostly internal. The ejector latch housing was stamped instead of machined.
- W-104. This series appeared around April of 1962 and featured internal changes only.
- W-105. In early 1970, more internal changes were made. The “Hombre,” “Durango,” and “Marshal” models
were introduced. Walnut grips became standard. The 1970 Hombre had a 4” barrel, whereas later versions had
a 4.5” barrel, as did all the Durangos. High Standard also made a copy of the Double-Nine from 1971 through
early 1975 that was called the NATO 49er. It had the aluminum frame of the W-105 series guns, rather than the steel frame of the W-106..
- W-106. The W-106 series was introduced in 1971 and had a steel frame that could handle magnum cartridges. The first Double-Nines were made with interchangeable cylinders. The firing pin was moved from the hammer to
the frame, and the guns were available with an adjustable rear sight. The “High-Sierra” was introduced, with an
octagonal barrel and interchangeable cylinders. The aluminum-framed W-105 series continued production in parallel with the W-106.
The Double-Nine shown here was the first gun I ever bought. It is a W-104 series, made in 1968. I bought it in 1971 at a pawn shop in downtown Houston for $39.95--it came with a holster. The
gun originally had some really ugly fake-stag plastic grips. I quickly sought out the black grips which have been on the gun ever since.
This is still my favorite .22 pistol. I also own a High Standard semi-auto target pistol, but I can shoot my revolver pretty
much interchangeably with it--they are both equally accurate. My experience with other .22 revolvers has not been as
good. For instance, it is difficult to find a Ruger Bearcat where all the chambers are accurate. John J. Stimson, Jr. tells
me, however, that the factory acceptance standards for the revolver line was not as high as for the automatic pistol line--the autos were required to fire tighter groups to pass inspection. High Standard claimed that with the
counter-bored cylinder the gun could be dry fired without damage. I have accidentally dry fired mine a number of times over the years with no noticeable damage to the cylinder or firing pin.
This gun has seen a lot of wear and tear. I foolishly left it in the trunk of my car for quite a while and the cylinder got
some rust on it. Before I took these pictures, I carefully touched up scratches on the frame with Birchwood Casey
Aluminum Black and retouched the cylinder and barrel with Birchwood Casey Super Blue. The old gun looks pretty darned good now!
Double Nine serial numbers were in the same series as the Sentinel through 1971.
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Late Model Western Revolver Serial Numbers
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1972
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M001000 - M009005
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1973
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M009006 - M027616
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1974
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M027617 - M043285
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1975
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M043286 - M055681
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1976
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M055682 - M070480
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1977
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M070481 - M70668
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1978
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M075000 - M076145
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1979
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M076146 - M078342
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1980
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M078343 - M079310
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1981
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M079311 - M082850
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1982
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M082851 - M086424
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1983
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M086425 - M088872
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1984
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M088873 - M090016
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M series guns actually began shipping in December of 1971. This data provides the known highest serial number produced in a given year--but the guns were
rarely shipped in serial number order. Production from 1978-1984 was at the East Hartford location. For more detailed information and for earlier revolvers see www.histandard.info.
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