View source for High Standard HDM

{{Use American English|date=October 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox weapon
|name= High Standard HDM
|image= 
|caption= High Standard HDM
|origin=United States
|type=Suppressed [[semi-automatic pistol]]
<!-- Type selection -->
|is_ranged=yes
|is_bladed=
|is_explosive=
|is_artillery=
|is_vehicle=
<!-- Service history -->
|service= 1942–1951
|used_by=  See ''[[High Standard HDM#Users|Users]]''
|wars= [[World War II]], [[Cold War]], [[Gulf War]], [[Vietnam War]]
<!-- Production history -->
|designer= 
|design_date=
|manufacturer=[[High Standard Manufacturing Company]]
|production_date=
|number= 
|variants= 
<!-- General specifications -->
|weight= {{convert|47|oz|g|abbr=on}}, empty
|length=  {{convert|13.815|in|mm|0}}<br />Suppressor length × diameter= {{convert|7.75|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} by {{convert|1|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
|part_length= {{convert|6.75|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
|height= {{convert|5|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
|crew=
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
|cartridge=[[.22 LR]] [[Rimfire ammunition|(5.6mm rimfire)]]
|caliber=
|action=[[Blowback (arms)|Blowback]], [[trigger (firearms)|semi-automatic]]
|rate=[[Semi-automatic firearm|Semi-automatic]]
|velocity={{convert|1080|ft/s|m/s|0|abbr=on}}
|range=
|max_range= 
|feed= 10-round single column, detachable [[Magazine (firearms)|box magazine]]
|sights= fixed [[Iron sights]]
}}

The '''High Standard HDM''' is an American [[semi-automatic pistol]] equipped with an integral [[Silencer (firearms)|silencer]]. Based on the [[High Standard Manufacturing Company#High Standard|High Standard H-D]] pistol, it was adopted by the [[Office of Strategic Services]] (OSS) during [[World War II]]. Because of legal concerns during wartime,{{citation needed |date=November 2024}} [[Full metal jacket (ammunition)|full-metal-jacketed]] [[.22 Long Rifle|.22 LR]] rounds were developed for this pistol. 

==History==
[[William J. Donovan]] demonstrated the pistol to President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]] inside the [[Oval Office]]. During World War II, the HDM was adopted for use by the OSS.<ref name="WG">{{Cite web |date=2010-10-22 |title=Hi-Standard HDM silenced |url=https://modernfirearms.net/en/handguns/handguns-en/u-s-a-semi-automatic-pistols/hi-standard-hdm-besshumnyj-eng/ |access-date=2023-12-19 |website=Modern Firearms |language=en}}</ref> It later was used by CIA agents and US special forces units in the Korean and Vietnam War and supposedly up to the Gulf War.<ref name="WG"/>

[[Francis Gary Powers]]' HDM is displayed in Moscow after his capture and release at the Central Armed Forces Museum as of 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2017-12-07 |title=Son of US spy pilot views U-2 artifacts at Russian museum |url=https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2017/12/07/son-of-us-spy-pilot-views-u-2-artifacts-at-russian-museum/ |access-date=2023-12-19 |website=Air Force Times |language=en}}</ref><ref name="HF">{{Cite news |title=Historical Firearms - High Standard (Hi-Standard) Suppressed Pistols ... |url=https://www.historicalfirearms.info/post/145178381009/high-standard-hi-standard-suppressed-pistols |access-date=2023-12-19 |newspaper=Historical Firearms |last1=Firearms |first1=Historical }}</ref>

==Design==
The High Standard HDM is a conventional blowback-operated [[semi-automatic pistol]] fitted with an integral [[Silencer (firearms)|silencer]] which decreases its report by more than 20&nbsp;dB.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://myweaponplace.com/high-standard-hi-standard-hdm-oss-silenced-pistol-usa.html|title=Loading|website=myweaponplace.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411103503/http://myweaponplace.com/high-standard-hi-standard-hdm-oss-silenced-pistol-usa.html|archive-date=2013-04-11}}</ref>  This pistol design was originally delivered on 20 January 1944, and original contract models were blued with a [[Parkerizing|parkerized]] (phosphate) finish on the silencer.  Follow-on models were completely parkerized.  Post World War II models produced for the CIA were also blued.  The weapon has a frame-mounted safety lever on the left in a similar position to the [[M1911 Colt pistol|M1911A1]] and [[Browning Hi-Power]].  The front sight is a fixed blade with a square notch fixed rear sight.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pdfio.com/k-112753.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411145655/http://www.pdfio.com/k-112753.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-04-11 |title=OSS Silenced Pistol |publisher=pdf.io |access-date=2014-03-12 }}</ref>

This weapon uses a heel-mounted magazine release. The weapon is effective at short ranges when the low energy of the round fired is taken into account.  The design is simple and typical of the period in which it was designed.{{citation needed|date=March 2015}}

A clone of the HDM is made by [[Arms Tech Limited]].<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20090419212628/http://www.smallarmsreview.com/pdf/OSSPistol.PDF {{Bare URL PDF|date=August 2024}}</ref>

==Users==
<!--READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries into this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries without a citation will be removed. Thank you.-->

===Current===
* {{flag|United States}}: Still used by the [[Central Intelligence Agency]],<ref name="OSSHS">{{cite web |last=Boyd |first=Bob |url=http://www.shootingillustrated.com/index.php/14966/arms-tech-limited-oss-hi-standard/ |title=Arms Tech Limited OSS Hi Standard |publisher=Shooting Illustrated |date=2011-09-21 |access-date=2014-03-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313001541/http://www.shootingillustrated.com/index.php/14966/arms-tech-limited-oss-hi-standard/ |archive-date=2014-03-13 |url-status=dead }}</ref> the [[United States Marine Corps]] with 10 HDMS in use with Force Recon,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-12-22 |title=Strong Men Armed - The Marine Corps 1st Force Reconnaissance Company: Part III - Weapons and Equipment |url=http://www.forcerecon.com/strongmenarmed3.htm |access-date=2023-12-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222165642/http://www.forcerecon.com/strongmenarmed3.htm |archive-date=2017-12-22 }}</ref> and the [[United States Army Special Forces]],<ref name="OSSHS"/><ref>{{cite magazine |last= Stejskal|first= James|date= December 2017|title= Cold War Warriors |magazine= American Rifleman |publisher= American Rifleman}}{{page number needed|date=August 2023}}</ref>

===Former===
* {{flag|United Kingdom}}: Known to be used by the [[Special Operations Executive|SOE]] in Nazi-occupied Europe.<ref name="HF"/>
* {{flag|United States}}:  Formerly used by [[Office of Strategic Services|OSS]] agents.<ref name="HF"/> The weapon was also assigned to [[Lockheed U-2]] pilots.<ref name=Powers>{{Cite book |last=Powers |first=Francis |title=Operation Overflight: A Memoir of the U-2 Incident |publisher=Potomac Books, Inc. |year=1960 |isbn=9781574884227 |page=31}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

{{WWIIUSInfWeaponsNav}}

[[Category:Silenced firearms]]
[[Category:Semi-automatic pistols of the United States]]
[[Category:World War II firearms of the United States]]
[[Category:.22 LR pistols]]