High Standard Supermatic Citation | Sterling Silver Pistol Lapel Pin | Safety Chain

High Standard Supermatic Citation | Sterling Silver Pistol Lapel Pin | Safety Chain

A target pistol cut down to the size of a fingernail, its markings kept.

High Standard was an American maker best known for its .22 target pistols, and the Supermatic Citation was one of its target models. This pin reproduces the pistol in miniature, down to the lettering on its side: “22 Long Rifle”, the HS monogram and “High Standard”. The model name appears as “Supermati” above “Citation” in script, without the final “c”.

The pistol is shown in profile, with a long barrel and a finely textured grip. At the back is a pin with a clutch fastening. A fine chain joins it to a small bar, which passes through a buttonhole to keep the pin secure. It can be worn on a lapel or as a tie tack.

Excellent condition.

Key Details

• Subject: High Standard Supermatic Citation .22 target pistol
• Maker: unidentified
• Material: sterling silver pistol (tested by a jeweller; unmarked); the clutch, chain and bar were not tested
• Marks: no silver or maker’s marks; side lettering “22 Long Rifle”, HS monogram, “High Standard”, “Supermati / Citation”
• Fittings: clutch back, with safety chain and bar
• Dimensions: pin length 2.4 cm; width 1.5 cm; height 1.3 cm; chain length 4.3 cm
• Weight: 4 g overall, including the fittings
• Condition: excellent
• Buyer profile: target shooters, collectors of High Standard pistols, and collectors of novelty silver

Collector Appeal

The side carries the High Standard name, the calibre and an abbreviated Supermatic Citation model name. Together they identify a particular target pistol rather than a generic gun motif, which will interest anyone who knows the model from the range or the collector’s cabinet.

Target shooting asks for a steady hand; at this size, so did the making of it.