Model 17's German Cousin

[BRush]

Around 1975 I lived and worked in the Los Angeles area and started accumulating S&Ws. One of my first desires was a Model 17. Even after checking every dealer and shop I could find in SoCal, I couldn't find a new one. At that time, Pachmayer had its last retail shop in downtown LA and while they didn't have a Model 17 they did have a close copy made in E. Germany by JP Sauer & Sohn. The sales guy said they expected more S&Ws to come in a couple weeks, but assured me that if I didn't want to wait, I would be happy with the JP Sauer. He said it was better made than the S&W and that I would love it. It was cheaper than a Model 17 so I bought it.

I found it to be a beautifully constructed and finished gun and it performed well for me. But it was not a S&W and a couple of months later I bought a Model 17-3 and the German gun retired to my safe.

Below are pictures of both guns for your comparison.

The JP Sauer with its accompanying test target.

The S&W Model 17-3.

 

[What the]

That's a nice Sauer...they were well made and mine shot just fine. I don't too often see them anymore in fact I'm not sure they imported them in great numbers. Mine stayed with me only for a few years and was traded for something or another 20 some years ago. With the box, you have a nice outfit there.

I applaud you for keeping it in such nice shape all these years. How does yours shoot? I put quite a few boxes of ammo down mine and was none the worse for wear.

 

[sw44spl]

J.P. sauer and sohn made great guns. the made K98s for the greman army in WW2 I have a 1942 K98 from them.

 

[Malysh]

One of the 3 most popular German 7.65mm "pocket" pistols of the 30s and 40s included the Sauer 38H. It was not the first double action pistol, but the first double action pistol with a hammer decocker activated by a lever on the left side of the frame.
The same system is used by SIGSauer, as we all know.

Nice presentation, BRush.

 

[mkk41]

J.P. Sauer is one of the oldest and most highly respected of the old world German gun makers. They made high quality 98 Mausers and the 38H pistol during the war , the Colt-Sauer bolt action rifle and the highly desirable German Weatherby's. And now they are the Sauer in Sig Sauer after merging with Sig.

 

[bennettfam]

One of the 3 most popular German 7.65mm "pocket" pistols of the 30s and 40s included the Sauer 38H. It was not the first double action pistol, but the first double action pistol with a hammer decocker activated by a lever on the left side of the frame.
The same system is used by SIGSauer, as we all know.

Nice presentation, BRush.

Hmmm. The PP/PPK had a decocker on the left side and I'm sure it would make the top-3 list along with Mauser's HSC. Did the Sauer pre-date the Walther?

 

[semperfi71]

Very interesting, again another reason to be here, I never knew of such a "J.P. Sauer" handgun.

I know they made a variety of handguns, rifles, drillings, and shotguns but never one such as this.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Troystat]

Interesting revolver, looks very well made, no surprise given the maker. Have you taken the side plate off? I was wondering how the design compares to the S&W. Thanks for posting the pictures I did not know Sauer ever made a revolver

 

[Austerity]

JP Sauer made some of the best K98's I have ever seen.

That's a beautiful piece.

 

[fyimo]

I never had a J P Sauer & Sohn Revolver but I have two of their bolt action rifles (Model 200 & 202) and they are world class firearms and much sought after by shooters.Their bolt action rifles have the smoothest action I have ever handled and their rifles have a reputation of being tack drivers.

So I say congratulations on the purchase of your revolver and trust me I'd buy one in a heart beat if I saw one and could afford it. The rifles I mentioned above are rare in the USA and very expensive with a list price over 2K.

 

[bigmoose]

That is one fine revolver. Sauer had some beautifully made side by sides also, with incredible engraving and craftsmanship, especially pre war and early post war.
With that vent rib, it is a great cross between a K22 and a Diamondback. Thanks for sharing.

 

[OFT II]

Hmmm. The PP/PPK had a decocker on the left side and I'm sure it would make the top-3 list along with Mauser's HSC. Did the Sauer pre-date the Walther?

The Walther decocker is on the slide. The 38H decocker is on the frame and is also capable of recocking the hammer. Push it down once and it decocks. Push it a second time and it recocks for a single action trigger pull. Pretty neat.

 

[M29since14]

That's interesting. Thanks for showing us that. I vaguely remember seeing one of those when I was a young fellow. I used to ride my bike past a local downtown gun shop. It was displayed in a window where it easily could be seen from the sidewalk. (Imagine that today!) It wasn't there long, but I remember seeing the Sauer and I assumed it was an S&W, until corrected by a friend of my father's. The barrel and sights should have been a giveaway, but I guess I was not very observant.

Back then, I had more-or-less unlimited access to my Dad's K22, so I never seriously considered trying to buy it. I had my heart set on something that made more noise and was saving all my yard-mowing money for that.

Your guns are in very nice condition!

 

[boykinlp]

Never seen one before. I really like it and it looks very well made. I really like the vented rib.

 

[tekarra]

Interesting pair of revolvers and nice comparison. I have never handled a Sauer revolver, only drooled over pictures.

 

[PMRet]

Very nice looking revolver, kind of looks like a cross between a K-22 and a Diamondback?