High Standard Giles Custom 102 Supermatic Trophy Col. Bill Swanwick Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1958 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,611.00
LSB#: 171228JL02
Make: High Standard
Model: Supermatic Trophy, Series 102
Serial Number: 801783
Year of Manufacture: 1958 (High Standard Pistols & Revolver, Spacek, P7)
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the frame is marked “SUPERMATIC / TROPHY”. The left side of the slide is marked “HIGH / STANDARD”. The left side of the solid sight rib is marked “GILES .45 SHOP / ODESSA, FLORIDA”. The right side of the slide is marked “801783 MODEL 102” and is gold-filled engraved “Bill Swanwick / ALEXANDRIA, LA.” on a gold-filled engraved scroll. The right side of the frame is marked “801783”. The underside of the barrel is marked with a diamond shaped inspection mark and “BE”. Both barrel flats, the sides of the sight rib, both sides of the frame in front and behind the grips, both sides of the trigger guard in front and rear, the top of the slide and the bottom of the barrel are covered in gold-filled scrollwork engraving and accents.
Barrel Length: The semi-tapered slab-side bull barrel is 5 ½” in length. The barrel is not original and was almost certainly custom turned and profiled by Giles .45 Shop. The barrel starts at the breech as a slab-side bull barrel and begins tapering approximately 2 1/2″ down the barrel.
Sights / Optics: A solid rib has been inlet into the barrel with a tail which extends to the rear of the slide. The top is serrated to reduce glare. Set into the front of this rib is an undercut patridge blade. The rear sight is a square notch leaf, adjustable for windage and elevation with “wagon-wheel” dials that Giles .45 Shop are known for. The base is integral to the rib.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered dark walnut with a prominent thumbrest on the left side. Each panel has a gold-colored High Standard medallion with eagle and banner. The thumb rest has a chip out of the edge in the middle which is about 1″ wide and less than 1/8″ deep. The left panel has a couple of flattened checkers under the medallion. The right panel has no notable damage, though the checkering has softened somewhat and the wood has likely darkened with age. The front strap has had what appears to be a contoured wood shim installed, glued to the frame with a grip-tape covering which extends to the rear edge of the girp panels. The grips rate in about Fine overall condition as modified.
Type of Finish: The barrel and the sides of the slide are blued while the top of the slide and the underside of the frame have a matte black finish. The safety has a gold finish.
Finish Originality: Refinished, likely professionally by Giles .45 Shop to match the finish on the barrel. The markings are clear but have waves at the edges as from buffing.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 95% of its metal finish. There is thinning at the front of the barrel, on the edges of the barrel flats, corners on the slide, and the grip frame. There are some light marks in the edges and side faces of the rib. There is a light mark on the bottom of the right barrel flat just above the front of the frame. The slide serrations are sharp. The grip screws have light tool wear with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this gun rates in about Fine condition as customized.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger breaks crisply at 1 1/2 pounds. We have not fired this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with one 10-round magazine which has light operational wear and a strong spring. The magazine is in about Fine condition overall.
Our Assessment: This pistol was a joy to research. Giles .45 Shop was a highly respected customizer of firearms for bullseye competition firearms in the 60s-80s. John Giles must have been one heck of a talented machinest to turn and profile a half-taper slab-side barrel like this, then inlet a rib of his own manufacture with sights of his own manufacture. He also appears to have widened the trigger via welding and re-profiling additional material to the sides. The trigger pull on this pistol is fantastic and the word done by Giles .45 Shop is sure to make this a fantastic shooter. However, this was clearly a gun intended to be presented to someone. The best information we can come by regarding “Bill Swanwick” in Alexandria, LA leads us to a Colonel W. W. Swanwick who apparently was a fixture at Camp Perry competitions, often entertaining each of the military teams on different nights. It is unclear if this pistol was presented to him or by him, but he’ll surely be an interesting subject of some further research. This pistol is just gorgeous and would certainly make an interesting addition to any collection, especially a High-Standard collection. Please see our photos and good luck!
CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This C&R eligible pistol CAN be transferred as a dealer sale in California and CAN be sold as a Private Party Transfer (PPT) at our Simi Valley shop. This does not apply to out of state residents.