Sauer & Sohn Suhl 1751 to 1947

Sauer & Sohn Suhl was founded 1751 by Lorenz Sauer in Suhl. In the beginning the company only worked with military contracts, but a smaller amount of civilian weapons was made.

1774 the company was run by Lorenz Sauer and J.S. Spangenberg. The company 1815 handed over to Johann-Gottlob Sauer, who in his turn handed the firm to Paul Sauer and Ferdinand Spangenberg 1835

Serial number, date code, year, if each is present, then any pertinent information like import markings or a description of the pistol. I've compiled a fairly decent list of serial numbers and their related dates of import and/or manufacture, and hope this helps those who may be looking for such answers/information. Serial number, date code, year, if each is present, then any pertinent information like import markings or a description of the pistol. I've compiled a fairly decent list of serial numbers and their related dates of import and/or manufacture, and hope this helps those who may be looking for such answers/information. Not the serial number. Look at the bottom of the slide, just foward of the frame. My 220 has a KB on it and that makes it a 1991 gun. Do a search on dates of figure it out like this; A=0, B=1, C=2 and so on to K=9. You'll see several proof marks at the same location as the date letters.

1839 the company changed name to Spangenberg & Sauer after Ferdinand Spangenberg and Johann Paul Sauer.

1840 the company changed the name to 'J. P. SAUER & SOHN' and Lorenz Sauer joins the company.

1849 the company was divided between Sauer and Spangenberg famlilies and for some time the company 'Spangenberg, Sauer u. Sturm Suhl' existed.

Manufacture

1873 Rudolf and Franz Sauer starts again the comapny J.P. Sauer & Sohn. Under 1880 to 1890 some guns was made under the name L. Sauer - Suhl.

1852 J.P. Sauer moved to Steinweg 37 in Suhl

1870 Sauer wins a order on 150 000 rifles for the German army. Up to then this was the largest order in the history of Sauer

1880 the company slowly shifted focus from military production to civilian production due to lack of military orders. A display room was opened in Berlin Franzsicherstrasse 40-41.

1881 Patent for the invention of the three barreled gun (the drilling).

1881 the Sauer company presents a unique SBS rifle that should be a landmark for all modern double rifles for smokeless powder. Together with Friedrich Krupp Sauer develops special steel for barrels.

1882 The first catalogue is produced. Rudolf and Franz Sauer is the only shareholders and runs the company.

1891 patent 60492 for extractor a breech loading gun, and the first patent for expanding bullets.

Sauer introduce Krupp Special steel in four different types:

1. Krupp laufstahl

2. Special Gewehr Laufstahl, Fried.Krupp A.G. Essen.

3. Krupp-Inerso-Laufstahl.

4. Fried.Krupp A.G. Essen Nirosta.

1894 Franz Sauer runs the company and once again the company opens a display room and smaller workshop in Berlin.

1900 the shop in Berlin moves to Jägerstrasse 59-60.

1905 Franz son Hans Sauer joins the company.

1911 Franz son Rolf joins the company.

1912 Suhl Proofhaus change to a crowned N in April 1912.

1913 the company opens a display room and smaller workshop in Hamburg, Brandstwiete 28.

1914-1918 mostly war production.

1915 Mod. 25 Drilling is introduced.

1918 and the years after the war the company is down on it knees and makes typewriters and bikes, temporarily the company is moved to Thüringen and once again starts to develop sporting guns.

1920 the company sticks to sporting guns since all military production is forbidden, the company moves back to Suhl..

1930 Mod. 30 Light steel drilling is introduced.

1931 Mod. 31 Bockbüchsflinte / over and under is introduced.

1932 Mod. 32 lightweight drilling, a somewhat simplified version of the drilling m/30 is introduced due to the harsh economical times. The shop in Berlin is closed.

1933 Mod. 33 Bockbüchsflinte / over and under is introduced

1936 Mod. 36 and 37 Kipplaufbüchse is introduced

1937 the company is controlled by Hans Sauer and Rolf Sauer.

1939-1945 military production, from 1943 all production is controlled by military command.

Sig Sauer Date Of Manufacture By Serial Number List

Sauer & Sohn Eckernförde 1951 to 2000

History in short and some vital years.

1945 Hans Sauer continues production under Soviet occupation.

1946 Sauer & Sohh Suhl makes 9500 guns for hunting, all exported/confiscated by Soviet.

1947 Sauer & Sohn Suhl is expropriated by the Soviet military administration SMath. Most of the machinery is sent to Sestorosk to form the basis of the factory who’s production we today know as Baikal.

So all guns branded Sauer, Vorm Sauer, Sauer & Sohn that is made in Suhl after 1947 are not made by Sauer - they are made by Fortuna or Thälmann. And are by no means a genuine Sauer & Sohn.

1948 VEB Fortuna is founded on the remains of Sauer & Sohn Suhl

1951 VEB Fortuna is amalgamated with VEB Mewa Ernst Thälmann. From 1951 Thälman makes m/8, m/29E, the drillings m/30 and m/32 from Sauers production before the war. In the beginning they have a lot of material from Sauers prewar production and the guns are normally engraved with either of the following trade names: Merkel, Sauer & Sohn Suhl, Vorm. Sauer and plain Sauer.

1951 Sauer & Sohn Eckernförde is started by Rolf Sauer in Eckerförde in West Germany, and the first gun to make is the m/8. No drawings was rescued from Suhl so Sauer started by taking a prewar m/8 into pieces and make the drawings from that gun. Since Sauer & Sohn Suhl was founded 1751 one cannot by being impressed that they managed in less than a year to start up production. The production started in december, on the 20:th of december.

1955 a updated version of the drilling m/30 as m/3000.

1957 Sauer starts to produce guns for Weatherby due to Sauer very high quality production.

1961 Sauer is sold to Dynamit Nobel, and again 1965 to the Murmann family. The production of quality guns in Eckerförde continues.

1972 common production between SIG and Sauer.

1974 J.P. Sauer is now a part in the Swiss concern SIG. The production at J-. P. Sauer at Sauer Weg, Eckernförde is expanding. Approx. 10% of the staff works with development.

1984 Sauer m/200 is introduced, one of the first models with easily replaceable barrels. Sauer and Franchi presents a over and under shotgun that is sold in large quantities.

1993 Sauer m/202 is introduced.

Winchester Date Of Manufacture

2000 Sauer celebrates its 250-years jubilee. The company is sold to Michael Löke and Thomas Ortmeier by SIG Holding Inc.

Sauer & Sohn Links

A very good article in Danish about Sauer&Sohn history including a list of serial numbers from 1880 to 1924 by Peter Ravn Lund: www.bryndumlund.dk

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Dating

Senast uppdaterad/Last update: 2013-06-04

A Stamford police officer has sued gunmaker Sig Sauer over injuries he suffered when his holstered P320 pistol discharged and hit him in the leg after he dropped it in a parking lot.

According to the complaint filed Aug. 4 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut, officer Vincent Sheperis dropped his holstered department-issued handgunwhile loading equipment into the back of his car in January. The gun fired when it hit the pavement, and the bullet entered beneath his left knee and lodged to the side “with the round protruding from his leg.”

Numbers

Sheperis, a 34-year-old member of the department’s Special Response Team, underwent multiple surgeries and is back on light duty, although more surgeries may be required, according to his attorney, Jeffrey Bagnell of Westport.

Sheperis is seeking at least $6 million in punitive and compensatory damages, and is demanding Sig Sauer recall the pistol or include a warning that the gun is not “drop safe” when a round is chambered.

“For it to just go off—it’s kind of horrifying, really,” Bagnell said.

The Stamford Police Department said it’s shelved all P320s it issued to its officers because of the incident.

IN OTHER NEWS, Sig has posted how to “VOLUNTARILY” fix your broken firearm!

SIG SAUER is offering a voluntary program for P320 pistols. This will include an alternate design that reduces the physical weight of the trigger, sear, and striker while additionally adding a mechanical disconnector.

Article continues below. Scroll to continue reading.

3 Steps To Upgrading Your SIG SAUER P320 Pistol

  1. Have your P320 serial number and home address available.
  2. Fill out the Voluntary Upgrade Sign-Up Form — one serial number per form submission.
  3. SIG SAUER will contact you regarding the best method for you to get your P320 pistol to them.

Once SIG SAUER receives your P320 pistol, they will apply the upgrades, test it, and then return it to you free of charge.

If you run into any issues, please call Customer Service and they will help you through the process. Customer Service can be reached at (603)610-3000 Option 1, from Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. through 6:00 p.m. EST.

If you own multiple P320s, you will need to enter each P320 serial number separately.

How to locate your P320 Serial Number

Your P320 serial number can be found by looking on the right side of the pistol grip. The serial number will be stamped into the receiver. This number should be entered into the first entry field of the form. SKU will automatically populate if your P320 is on a qualified list of U.S. Domestic consumer serial numbers.

With some exceptions, most U.S. Domestic Consumer P320 serial numbers begin with “58A”, “58B”, or “58C”, followed by six numbers.

  • Example: 58Axxxxxx

Is my P320 safe in its current configuration?

Yes. The P320 meets and exceeds all US safety standards. However, mechanical safeties are designed to augment, not replace safe handling practices. Careless and improper handling of any firearm can result in an unintentional discharge.

What is the P320 Voluntary Upgrade Program?

SIG SAUER is offering a voluntary program for P320 pistols. This will include an alternate design that reduces the physical weight of the trigger, sear, and striker while additionally adding a mechanical disconnector.

Why is this upgrade happening?

Through additional testing above and beyond standard American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/Sporting Arms & Ammunition Institute (SAAMI), National Institute of Justice (NIJ), Department of Justice (DOJ), Massachusetts (MGL, Chapter 140, Section 123) and other global military and law enforcement protocols, we have confirmed that usually after multiple drops, at certain angles and conditions, a potential discharge of the firearm may result when dropped. Although it is a rare occurrence, with very specific conditions, SIG SAUER is offering an upgrade to all of its current P320 owners.

Does the owner’s manual say it can be unsafe?

The language used in major manufacturer’s owner’s manuals with regard to drop safety is consistently written to warn the user that dropping a loaded firearm is not recommended and could possibly result in an accidental discharge. All precautions should be taken to avoid dropping a loaded firearm. Although extremely unlikely, it is still possible for any loaded firearm to discharge when dropped.

What calibers and models are affected?

Due to the modularity of the pistols, which all share the same trigger group, all calibers and pistol sizes are affected.

What type of ammunition was used during testing?

A variety of calibers and brands of ammunition were used.
NOTE: Loaded ammunition is not used for drop testing, only primed cases with the powder and projectile removed are used.

What is different about the updated assembly?

The new design has a physically lighter trigger, sear, and striker assembly with the addition of a mechanical disconnector.

Will this affect the X-series P320’s?

Yes. However, the X-series flat trigger will not be replaced.

What about my CAL-X Kits?

You should send any and all P320 slides with your shipment, as the striker(s) will be replaced, and the slide(s) will need the disconnector cut.

Does this affect the MHS pistol?

No, the MHS pistol is a different variant of the P320 platform. It has passed the US Army’s testing protocols (TOP).

What are my next steps?

If you are a consumer and wish to participate in the voluntary upgrade, please fill out the form at the top of this page.

If you are a U.S. domestic commercial dealer or distributor:

  • There will be an online form available in the near future for dealers to register.
  • For additional support, please contact Dealer Services M-F 8:30am – 5:00pm EST directly at 603-610-3000, option 2.

If you are a U.S. or Canadian law enforcement agency, a Canadian Consumer or an individual who purchased on the Armed Professional Program (APP) or Individual Officer Program (IOP):

  • Because of the unique circumstances involving these customers and needed additional logistical planning, there will be additional information and an online form available in the in the coming days.

If you are a domestic government agency/entity or individual who purchased on the Armed Professional Program (APP):

  • There will be an online form available in the near future for Government/Federal Law Enforcement to register (including those individuals who purchased via the APP). Additional information regarding this program will be made available in the coming days.

Sig Sauer Date Of Manufacture By Serial Number

If you are an international customer (including Puerto Rico):

  • Please contact your Global Defense Sales representative or local distributor.

Is there a charge to participate in this upgrade?

No. The upgrade is being offered to our consumers at no cost.

Will SIG SAUER cover the shipping both ways?

What if I don’t want to upgrade the trigger assembly on my P320?

This is a voluntary service, as the P320 meets and exceeds all ANSI/SAAMI, NIJ, DOJ, Massachusetts (MGL, Chapter 140, Section 123), and safety standards. SIG SAUER welcomes all of its P320 owners to take advantage of this program.

What if I have incorporated aftermarket items into my P320?

Date Of Manufacture Abbreviation

DO NOT RETURN YOUR P320 WITH ANY MAGAZINES, AFTERMARKET TRIGGER GROUPS, OR ACCESSORIES SUCH AS OPTICS, LIGHTS, OR LASERS. IF YOU SEND YOUR FIREARM IN WITH AFTERMARKET ACCESSORIES, SIG SAUER CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT THOSE ITEMS WILL BE RETURNED TO YOU.

Is SIG SAUER still shipping the pistol without the enhanced trigger system?

SIG SAUER has temporarily suspended shipment of the P320 from the factory while we ramp up to implement the changes.

What is the turnaround time to receive my upgraded P320?

Sig Sauer Date Of Manufacture By Serial Number

For the US Commercial market, once you contact SIG SAUER and register for the process, you will receive an email from us at a later date with a shipping label and instructions as to when you may return your P320. This may take several weeks, as we will need time to prepare for this program. Once your P320 is received at SIG SAUER, turnaround time will be approximately 4-6 weeks. This lengthy process is due to the high volume of pistols in the marketplace. Transit times may vary depending on your geographic location and receipt of your returned pistol.

Can I have the work performed at my local dealer instead?

No. This work must be done at the SIG SAUER factory.

What serial number ranges are affected?

Am I required to send the entire pistol?

How will I know if the P320 has the upgraded trigger system without disassembling?

The most obvious external difference is the lightweight trigger. It has a thinner profile than the standard curved trigger. The other changes are minimal and would likely not be noticed.

How often has the incident described occurred?

Minimal reported drop-related P320 incidents have occurred in the US commercial and law enforcement markets, with hundreds of thousands of guns delivered to date. These instances occurred in conditions that appear to be outside of normal testing protocols. The current P320 design meets and exceeds all US safety standards. As it relates to the ad hoc media drop tests, these were not part of standardized testing protocols, and they were performed using firearms in unknown conditions.

Sig Sauer Serial Number List

How will this affect my current P320 trigger pull?

There should be no meaningful or significant change from the current P320 trigger pull.

Should I conduct my own test to determine if my pistol is safe?

NO. SIG SAUER DOES NOT RECOMMEND THAT ANY CONSUMER PERFORM DROP TESTING BEFORE OR AFTER THIS UPGRADE. Mechanical safeties are designed to augment, not replace safe handling practices. Careless and improper handling of any firearm can result in unintentional discharge. Be aware that ad hoc testing is occurring and individuals are testing guns in conditions outside accepted testing protocols. ALL STANDARDIZED DROP TESTING IS DONE IN CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENTS WITHOUT USING LIVE AMMUNITION.