Sauer and Sohn 38H conundrum

[oneeyedpete]

I recently purchased one that is a bit of a mystery version of the 38H. It is obviously a commercial variant as it has no trigger guard markings and has the "Crown N" proof and serial number (260,XXX) on the right rear frame as well as the slide (also unusual that the slide is proofed like the frame). I understand that means that the pistol dates before 1940 as it predates the eagle proofs. Now, the really unusual bit is that it has no safety! I understood that no safety versions were late war manufacture, but this is clearly pre 1940 and it must be the original slide as the slide has the Crown N proof. One expert has told me it is probably an early prototype. Have any of you heard of such a version of the 38H? The cocker/decocker lever is really cool on this pistol.

 

[29aholic]

Typically decocker guns that are double action don't have safeties. Look at the modern P2xx series of Sig.

Sent from my SM-A102U using Tapatalk

 

[oneeyedpete]

Typically decocker guns that are double action don't have safeties. Look at the modern P2xx series of Sig.

Sent from my SM-A102U using Tapatalk

True, but all of these did have safeties until the late war production, hence the conundrum

 

[tndrfttom]

"German Pistols and Holsters 1934-1945" by Lt Col Robert Whittington III makes a very brief reference to these pistols in Vol II (page 299). It just refers to: Sauer 38(H), commercial finish, without safety, serial range 260000-263500, est. quantity manufactured 3400.

 

[oneeyedpete]

"German Pistols and Holsters 1934-1945" by Lt Col Robert Whittington III makes a very brief reference to these pistols in Vol II (page 299). It just refers to: Sauer 38(H), commercial finish, without safety, serial range 260000-263500, est. quantity manufactured 3400.

Thank you so much! This is a fantastic source of information! You guys are a treasure trove of information!

 

[tndrfttom]

Jan Still's "Axis Pistols" book supports the info in Whittington's book. It indicates that the serial numbers started at 26000 and the first 10,000 manufactured were commercial. "The manual safety was added at about serial number 263500."
On military models the acceptance stamp E/37 should appear on the left trigger guard web.

 

[Heinz]

One eye, as others have noted you have an early commercial 38H. Col. Whittington is a careful researcher in this area, as is Jim Cates, who wrote the book on Sauer pistols. The crown N proofs and the lack of a safety are characteristics of these early models. The need for a safety in addition to the long double-action trigger pull was never fully endorsed by Sauer.

The decocker puts the pistol into double action mode. The cocker function brings it back to single action. The cocker also makes it a bit easier to rack the slide back to insert a magazine into an empty pistol. The trigger position visibly changes when the pistol is in single-action as opposed to double-action mode.

I think the cocker/decocker lever makes the 38H a better pistol than the Walther PP. I still carry my later commercial 38H from time to time.

 

[2152hq]

The pistol was originally called the Model 38. It had no thumbsafety.
That was added and the 'H' was included in the Model to make it the 38H.
The H stands for Hahnsicherung or something close that, my German ain't good. It means hand safety/thumb safety in this instance.

The German SA was the first Military organization to show interest in the Model 38. They also gave the earlier similar Model 36 a look as well.
They suggested the addition of the thumbsafety to the Model(s). which for a short time Sauer advertised as an optional feature on the commercial pistol IIRC.
The Military wanted it in place on their adopted design as well as some other changes.

So you have a Model 38 JP Sauer. Not a Model 38H

 

[oneeyedpete]

Once again, thank you guys for the informed commentary and insights! After some more research aided by your comments, I was able to find the following thread that expands on your help:

JP sauer 38 | Jan C. Still Lugerforums

If any of you are interested it is a very good read on the Sauer 38.