Awhile back, I found an excellent and early Sig P220 that has the Browning markings and was new in 1977. While looking into the P220, I subsequently learned the P230 was originally put into manufacture in 1977 (I never realized the design was that old), and I started keeping any eye out for an early one.

Fast forward to now. I found what I guessed was an early P230 on an auction site. The slide is marked:

HAWES FIREARMS CO
LOS ANGELES, CALIF.
MADE IN W. GERMANY

I have seen Interarms marked P230s in the past and I took a gamble that this would be an early one. I was high bidder on the auction and here it is. Initially, I couldn't find the date code, turns out the date code was on the inside on the chamber. The code is HG, indicating a 1976 manufacture date. Is the general knowledge on when P230s manufacture started wrong? Is there anything special about this P230, or do I happen to just have an early, garden variety Sig P230?

Any info, insight, or knowledge would be appreciated.

Attached Images

	SIG P230 (3).jpg (164.9 KB, 84 views)
	SIG P230 (13).jpg (46.5 KB, 65 views)