[Danny R Bowles]

I have a 38H Eagle C police with the sn# of 275534. It is about 95% and was told by some indiviuals it was a early 1940 unit. It is eagle/n stamped and all matching. Is this close to production date?
Thanks so much. Danny

 

[Lloyd in Vegas]

You are probably not far off in terms of date of manufacture. The first Eagle C or F police markings on the Model 38H was in the first quarter of 1940. According to Jim Cate in his book on the subject the the police contract Eagle C's started around serial number 268303 with the earlier Crown N (C/N) commercial proof. Yours has the next commercial proof mark Eagle N (E/N National Proof Law of June 7, 1939) with an effective date of April 1, 1940. There is some dispute that it became effective earlier like January 1, 1940. In any event, serial number 269100 is the estimated beginning of 38H's with the new E/N proof around april 1940 but again it might be a bit earlier in the year. The first military accepted 38H's (double E/37 acceptance marked) was around May of 1940 with serial number 271000. Military single E/37 accepted 38H's start around 273446 in August-September 1940. I think yours was probably produced sometime in last quarter of 1940. Sounds like you have a very nice fairly early police 38H. Any other opinions on that gentlemen or more exactness on the date of production?

 

[sauerfan]

quote:Any other opinions on that gentlemen or more exactness on the date of production?

Yes. Danny, your 275534 obviously was made on May 28, 1940 (Tuesday), before the lunch break.



No, seriously:

quoteE/N National Proof Law of June 7, 1939) with an effective date of April 1, 1940

Nope. The effective date (date, when the law came into force) was January 15, 1940 (a Monday). I have a copy of the law – issued in the Official Reichs Gazette (Reichsgesetzblatt). The date January 15 as being the effective date is mentioned. Jim Cate and where told in 1998 by the manager of the Suhl proof house, that the change from Crown/N to Eagle/N markings was done in Suhl on January 16 – just because of the simple reason, that the tools were delivered on this date. Anyway: lets calculate with January 15, as the manager's story might be true – but maybe not.
Another important time frame: Feb/March 1940, when the change from "Modell 38" to "Modell H" was carried out. Fits quiet well with the double e/37 accepted H models.... So, taking the first eagle/N proofed Sauer # 269,1xx as being proofed on January 15 (or 16...), I guess, your 275534 was made somewhere between May and July, 1940.

But I am of course aware of the fact, that the April 01/January 15 discussion will never end...

Martin

 

[Danny R Bowles]

Thank you gentlemen for the reply. Now I know for sure about this firearm. Kind Regards; Danny