In the field of firearm design a manufacturer will often create a weapon capitalize on an already existing or perceived market. Sometimes a designer will become aware of a need for a particular weapon and will the develop or sell the concept to an existing manufacturer, or the design may be the result of specific government program in which certain features, numbers produced, and price are determined. It is very rare for a weapon to developed and marketed by the people actually using it in the field. The High Standard Model 10 is one of those cases.

Back in 1957 recently retired Sergeant Alfred H. Crouch of the Santa Monica Police Department began developing what he believed did not existing at that time. A shotgun designed specifically to suit the needs of Law Enforcement Officer. Yes, manufacturers did build shotguns for the law enforcement but in almost every case these were, and still are, just sporting models that have received the addition of some modest features that make them more desirable for police use. While powerful and useful tools they still are rather large weapons that can be difficult to handle in close confines and usually require both hands to use. Sure there are folding stock and pistol grip only designs made that great reduce the overall length, but these require a second hand to unfold their stocks or have no shoulder stock at all and are strictly short range weapons. What Sergeant Crouch wanted was a shotgun that could be carried and used with one hand free just like a standard police revolver.

Since he wanted to be a weapon that could be operated with just one hand he went with a semi auto design. He inquired with his fellow police officers and got an enthusiastic response for his idea. Unfortunately all the major firearm manufacturers were indifferent to his design at that time. Undaunted with the rejections from the companies and positive that he and his fellow officers had the right idea he decided to build it himself.

After examining the then current models on the market Al Crouch decided on the High Standard Flite King. He selected specifically because would permit him to incorporate the rotating yoke stock that was an important feature of his design.

Development was at first very slow but with financial assistance from some of his fellow officers and the support of several Police Chiefs in the area, Al Crouch continued his crusade to build the ultimate police shotgun. Finally around 1964 his design came to the attention of Ed Lomax and Bill Donovan at High Standard. Both realized that Al's design would give High Standard a product unique in the law enforcement market, and finally the arrangements were made to produce what would be called the High Standard Model 10 in 1967.

Because of the mission requirements Sergeant Crouch's shotgun is a bullpup in design. This gives it the ability to carried slung vertically on ones side. To bring into action one only needs to grasp the pistol grip and swing it up to ones shoulder. It can be fired with either one or both hands; although for long range accuracy a two hand rifle style stance is best. Due to short overall length the weapon could be concealed under a trench coat like a whipit-style shotgun but allowed immediate long range use rifled slugs well beyond the range of similar length sawed-off/ whipit guns. The only drawback is that was it was not a light weapon, around nine pounds loaded, and due to its bullpup design and location of the ejection port it can only be effectively used on the right side of the body.

One feature of the Model 10 that was truly ahead of its time was the inclusion of an integral flashlight. In the Model 10A in built into the stock assembly; with Model 10B it was redesigned to be a detachable unit. Due to the nature of heavy-duty police flashlights of the 1960's this made for a hefty piece of equipment on the shotgun. One has to wonder what it would be like today with the much smaller LED tactical lights on the market?

With so many great features one might wonder why didn't the Model 10 just take over the tactical shotgun market in the US for Police and civilian use? well there are several reasons.

One of greatest handicaps High Standard had in selling the Model 10 was Sergeant Crouch's insistence that the weapon be sold to only members of Law Enforcement. He feared that the features that made his weapon such a powerful tool to police officers would be used against them by the very criminals they had to face. One can argue the merits, flaws or logic of this stand, but this sales requirement kept the Model 10 out of the larger civilian market where Remington, Winchester, Mossberg, Savage, and Ithaca were allowed claim dominance.

Another reason for the Model 10's slow acceptance was that for 1967 it looked like some crazy futuristic raygun! Firearm owners can be a rather conservative group, and this thing sure didn't look like any shotgun they had seen! In fact with the addition of some Picatinny rails and modern dot sight the Model 10 would not look like a 40 year old design at all today!

Finally for some ergonomics of the Model 10 are less than ideal for some. I have not had a chance to fire a Model 10 but I have had a chance to shoulder a Model 10B. Quick from low ready to shoulder drills. Due to the width of the adapted shotgun action it is almost impossible for me to use the sights on the weapon. Without contorting my head around I cannot see through the rear sight! Now know people who have no problem with this so maybe I just have a fat head! Also with the ejection port located on the right side it makes left hand firing from the shoulder impossible without the risk of injury.