[sauerfan]

Gentlemen,

since 20 years or so I was hunting for an early Sauer 38 having no thumb safety. Finally, I got one and I am very pleased to present it here.

As known, Sauer started series production of the model 38 beginning with SN 260,001. The first 3,600 38s did not have a thumb safety on the slide. These early 38s (without thumb safety) can be divided in two sub-variations; the first sub-variation (SN 260,001 to 261,0xx approximately) is characterized by the mag release button secured by a pin (not a screw) and by two square guiding members popping out the right side when pressing on the mag button. The second sub-variation has a mag release button secured by a screw – this feature wasn't changed until the end of production.

My new toy is # 261,242 shown in the photos here. The pistol looks, like a Sauer 38 should look in this particular SN range: Two line legend, crown/N proof markings, no other acceptance markings. Even the yellow paint on the front sight is present, while the red paint on the rear sight faded away (Sights were painted this way until SN 27x,xxx approximately).

Download Attachment: 38 - 261 242_links_1314x1000.jpg
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Download Attachment: 38 - 261 242_rechts_1312x1000.jpg
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Download Attachment: 38 - 261 242_oben_1323x1000.jpg
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Regards

Martin

NOTE: photos restored September 12, 2007

 

[Olefogey]

Martin,
Do all early Sauer 38's have that "rough" texture to the grips or are those replacements?? Maybe it is just the pictures.

Dave

 

[sauer]

I have sub-variation 2, #261944 in my collection. It's just about mint condition, and the grips appear about the same as those in the photos. BTY I got it for $400 from a dealer who advertised it as a 38-H with Crown N proof. I didn't feel too bad about the price,since he was the one who set it.

 

[Orv Reichert]

Here is my early Sauer Modell 38. #260313.



Download Attachment: 260313-1.jpg
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Download Attachment: 260313-2.jpg
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It has been reblued but they did not grind/polish it..thank God!

Picked it up at a local show a couple years back...$225

Orv

Orvel L. Reichert
P O Box 67
Vader WA 98593
360-245-3492 tel
360-245-3702 fax
360-520-6520 cel
[email protected]

 

[sauerfan]

sauer, Orv,

congratulations for your early 38s.

Orv: I also would have taken the chance to buy this sub-variation 1 – reblued or not, this is a scarce variation. And they did a nice job, it seems. They only made one mistake: the pin holding the breech block should have its end with the blind hole on the right side, not on the left side.

BTW: mine was a bargain also. I expected to receive a reblued pistol, as the dealer told me upon request: "Probably it is reblued, because the pistol has NO MATT FINISH, but is high polished". Seems, the dealer has seen only late war Sauers with the rough finish.... So I totally agree with sauer: I don't feel too bad about the price, since the dealer was the one who set it.

Martin

 

[Orv Reichert]

My Dad...Adolf Otto Reichert [1905-1975]...once told me:

"You must be honest in your dealings with people but no where is it written that you must tell them they have something priced below</u> it's value!"

Orv

 

[sauerfan]

Orv,

your Dad must have been a whise man.

Martin

 

[Ogtree]

Martin,

Thanks for posting photos of your VERY early Sauer. You show a variation which I knew nothing about. I'll be digging out Jim Cate's book tonight!
Wonderful pistol!

Ogtree

 

[sauerfan]

quote:Originally posted by Ogtree

Martin,

Thanks for posting photos of your VERY early Sauer. You show a variation which I knew nothing about. I'll be digging out Jim Cate's book tonight!
Wonderful pistol!

Ogtree

Ed,

you're welcome. The question I have: do you really mean this one (261,242) or the very very early 260,214 here:

http://luger.gunboards.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=12849

Anyway, both are scarce variations not easy to find....

Regards

Martin

 

[mike radford]

Thanks guys for sharing these fine little pistols. Martin, love both of your early guns. Thanks for the information.

 

[Guest]

Martin,Thanks for taking the time to restore the photos.
I like to go way back and read old posts on these gun forums. But it bothers me when the old photos are a red X in a box !!It takes away the point of posting that topic. Anyone agree??
Then we have the links that are posted that have expired(gun auctions) or a web site that is no longer active..
But I'm still learning a lot. And that is what counts!!! -Mike-