Hi-Standard Sentinel R-100 Serial # 37097 Year of Manufacture

[Budrow]

Good Evening. I have a Hi-Standard Sentinel R-100, serial #37087, with a 3” barrel for which I'm trying to determine the year it was made. Left side of the barrel stamped HI-STANDARD above .22 CAL. Right side of the barrel stamped HIGH STANDARD MFG. CORP. above HAMDEN, CONN., U.S.A. Select high-tensile blued steel barrel and 9 shot swing out cylinder. Frame is anodized dark blue/black aluminum alloy, stamped on the right side R-100 above 37087, with the round silver mediaion on the left side and the Hi-Standard winged eagle logo above SENTINEL. Case hardened colored steel hammer & trigger. Brown plastic one piece checked grips. Front sight is a ramp post secured to the barrel with an Allen screw. Rear sight is a square notched sight dove tailed into the frame. I figure late 1955 or early 1956 but, I'd appreciate knowing the exact year. I've included some "pics" below. Thanks, Budrow

 

[Monac]

I think that kind of serial number puts it in the first year of production. High Standard gave Sentinel revolvers their own serial number range briefly, when production started, then began numbering them in the series of their automatic pistols, which was already in 7 figures. All this is is IIRC, but I will try to find the website where I read it.

Well, I thought it was here:https://unblinkingeye.com/Guns/Sentinel/sentinel.html

but it wasn't.

 

[Budrow]

Thanks, I saw that information about the early manufactured Sentinel's having their own serial number range in the "Blue Book of Gun Values". I think it cited numbers 1 through 45000. So, I guess as I figured late 1955 or early 1956. Either way, a well made 64 or 63 year old revolver. Interestingly, I saw a vintage advertisement from 1955 showing that it listed for $34.95.