Make: High Standard / Hi- Standard

Model: G-380

Serial Number: 2333

Year of Manufacture: 1947-1950

Caliber: .380 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol)

Action Type: Single Action Semi-Automatic with Removable Magazine

Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “HI STANDARD / MODEL G. 380” and “CAL 380 AUTO. CTG.”. The left side of the frame is marked “MADE IN U.S.A. / HIGH STANDARD MFG. CORP. / NEW HAVEN, CONN. / PATENT PENDING ”. The front of the grip frame is marked “2333”.

Barrel Length: 5”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade with a serrated rear face fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a square notch dovetailed to the rear of the slide.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered black plastic. The grips have some minor scuffs on the bottom. The checking is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Excellent Condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10/10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 99% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning near the muzzle. The action shows very little operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about Excellent Condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. It has an exposed spurred hammer and a frame mounted safety. There is a takedown lever on the right side of the frame behind the grip, and a slide release directly above the grip. We did not fire this pistol. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with one vintage original “two tone” partially blued 6-round magazine. The mag is in Very Good Condition, showing light operational wear, and with intact feed lips and a strong spring.

Our Assessment: The Model G380 holds the distinction of being the only centerfire pistol ever manufactured in-house by High Standard, with 7,400 made during a short production run from 1947-1950. The pistol was originally developed during WW2 for US Office of Strategic Services (OSS) operatives. Full drawings were provided to the OSS on February 12, 1945, and a contract was granted to High Standard on April 23, 1945. Production was to begin on September 15, 1945, but the contract was terminated due to the end of the war. Since the tooling for what was then called the P380 had already been completed, High Standard decided to produce the pistol anyway, with an eye on what was to be a booming post-war commercial market. Now dubbed the G380, it was a magazine fed, semi-automatic pistol with a blued finish and checkered plastic grips.

This High Standard G380 .380 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol was made between 1947-1950 and is in Excellent Condition. It features a 5” barrel, 99% of its gleaming, original blued finish, crisp two-piece checkered black plastic grips, a beautiful original “two tone” partially blued 6-round mag, and a bright bore with sharp rifling and no erosion. This pistol is relatively heavy, and balances well in the hand – all of which alludes to enhanced accuracy. This should make for an outstanding target pistol, or a wonderful addition to a High Standard collection.