German Heritage of Sig, Sig-Sauer, Sigarms et. al.

Krogen · #1 06-17-2024, 11:01 AM

I have a few Sigs which in my opinion aren't collectible. They're tools in my book. They're like knives to me; workhorses. Sorry knife collectors. I can understand the appeal of knife collecting, but it's just not me. Just like some folks consider S&W's mere tools. Anathema to many on this forum for sure!

I read a good article on Sigs, their history and markings. While I still consider my Sigs to be tools, the article painted them in a new light. Like S&W's, there's a spectrum of variations to intrigue a collector.

Often, in firearms-related forums and social media groups like the SIG Sauer Legion Facebook group, I'll see the terms "West German SIG" and "German SIG" used interchangeably. I'll also see guns referred to as "German-made" when that might not actually be the case. Some owners mistakenly (but innocently) assume that a P-Series SIG Sauer with "Made in Germany" stamped on the slide, or a frame engraved "Frame Made in Germany" is no different than a pistol with "Made in W. Germany" stamped on the slide -- when that's actually not the case.

Is my "Made in Germany" (or West Germany) SIG Really German? - Real Gun Reviews

WardenRoss · #2 06-17-2024, 11:18 AM

Thanks for posting!

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Bullet Bob · #3 06-17-2024, 02:41 PM

When it comes to how many angels can dance on the head of a pin, religion has nothing on gun collecting.

Not that I don't like reading about this kind of stuff; I do, very much.

When ex-police owned P6's flooded the USA for about $300.00 I bought one, and after shooting it went back and bought another. One was marked Made in West Germany, and a later one marked Made in Germany - they even came with German police holsters.

I later sold the first one, and even though I don't shoot the other these days, I keep it as an interesting example of DA/SA semiautomatics at that point in time.

I also don't think all East German stuff was bad, despite Trabants.

I have an East German Merkel 12 gauge from the early 70's that's great, and I've read that GDR Makarovs are considered better than the ones from other countries, but I've never owned any of them.