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Early SN of Sauer 38H

1910 Views 4 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  Jim K, 
J
I recently became interested in firearms and shooting, have taken several gun safety classes, etc., and have spent a lot of time improving my skills with the help of experienced gun owners.
As a result, for Christmas, my older brother handed down to me the Sauer 38H that my late father brought home from Germany after WWII.
It's invaluable to me, and I have no plans to sell it. But I want to learn as much about it as I can, because I intend this to be an heirloom.
I have done a great deal of research on the gun, determined many things about it.
But I have hit the wall when it comes to one thing: the serial number.
Based on the research I have done, I am thinking it should have a serial number in the 270000 range or up. But it doesn't. It has a serial number of 268xxx.
I can post photos, if needed.
As I said, I am not looking for a valuation. I am looking for information.
Oh, and it shoots like a dream. Best and tightest groupings I've had yet.
Hit the black circle every time.
LOVE it! Everyone says this should become my conceal. I'm not sure I want to do THAT, but, after a few hours shooting this gun, I DID go try a few Sig Sauers out for feel and ended up buying a 1911. Definitely finding the Sigs to my liking.
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J
Information I have seen and consider reliable is that the 38H started at 260001.

Jim
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R
As Jim already stated, my reference also shows the 38 & 38H start at 260,000. The Sauer 38H comes in a variety of flavors and models. However the police and military issue start at 270000, yours may be a standard commercial model. Sorry to say, just because it was brought back from WWII does not mean it was taken in military capture, it could very well have come from someone's home or a turned in by a civilian, By military decree ( American and friends ) German populace was told to turn in all firearms, these were piled in the streets in large piles, after the GI's took what they wanted, Sherman tanks crushed the rest.We have some very knowledgeable contributors on this forum ( not me :eek:, I never get tired of being wrong },with clear photos of both sides, they can give you more information on just what you have. ADDED: For a number of reasons it is not a good ideal to carry it as your concealed carry firearm. Two of the most important reasons. One, parts, The gun hasn't been made for close to 70 years, something breaks, no parts. Two. If you ever have to use it in self defence, the police will confiscate it pending an investigation, they will not take care of it and even if the situation is resolved in your favor it could take years and legal paper work to get it back( and I can almost guarantee you it will missing the magazine, be rusted and beat up ).Just MHO
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O
very interesting. thank you.
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J
A good point, and one I have often stressed, about carrying any valuable or historical firearm. I have seen guns kicked (literally) around the concrete floor of an evidence room, beat up, thrown around, and generally abused. And many departments make it a policy never to return any gun seized in an investigation; it could cost thousnds of dollars to get back a gun taken by the police even if the case is nol pros or the owner acquitted. If the owner is convicted of a felony, of course, he will never get the gun back or be allowed to own another.

Jim
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