Sauer 38H Auto Pistol Rig, 3rd Variant, s/n 339226 Mint
Price: Sold
Description: German WWII JP Sauer Semi-Automatic Pistol; 8 shot, 7.65mm; s/n 339226; both Eagle-N and Eagle-37 (Army) proofed; 3rd variation; 97% original military blue finish overall; bore bright, action is tight and crisp; correct original magazine; weapon appears as unissued and comes with a correct wartime spare magazine in a correct Wehrmacht issue brown leather holster marked inside for “Sauer 38H 7.65”, stamped on strap: ‘WaA286’, maker code proofed “jhg” & dated ‘41’. Overall this rig is as good as they come for a military issue Sauer 38H; estimated production 30k;rare to find in this condition.
Background: The Sauer 38H was manufactured by JP Sauer and Sohn from late 1939 to 1945 at Suhl, Germany. They were procured by the German Army from 1940 until April 1945 when the American Army overran the plant. The cocking release lever feature made it the most advanced pistol of its time. Serial numbers started at 260000 and the first 10,000 manufactured were commercial. Characteristics of the manufacture and markings of this pistol vary considerably. There are basically 4 variations based on double or single military acceptance stamp, finish and absence or presence of the manual safety. It is estimated that less than ⅓ of all pistols manufactured were procured by the Army. The remainder were commercial, Police or Luftwaffe. Estimated Army procurement: 50,000.
