Try my “Made in Germany” (or western Germany) SIG Really German?

Often, in firearms-related online forums and social media marketing groups like SIG Sauer Legion fb people, I’ll see the terms “West German SIG” and “German SIG” made use of interchangeably. I’ll in addition see guns described as “German-made” whenever that might not really become case. Some owners mistakenly (but innocently) think that a P-Series SIG Sauer with “Made in Germany” stamped throughout the slide, or a-frame engraved “Frame Made in Germany” is not any unique of a pistol with “Made in W. Germany” stamped regarding slip — when that’s really incorrect.

There are a number of differences when considering SIGs produced in Germany (or western Germany) vs. those created using portion manufactured in Germany and assembled in the US. Those differences rely upon which products we’re having over. For a discussion on variations on the P226 model, eg, check my P226 adaptation History and Head-to-Head evaluation video. Regarding whether or not those differences create one version much better than the other try a question of argument… much better left to discussion forums and fb communities. There’s no questioning, however, that SIG followers generally tend to track down “true” German and specially western German SIGs notably a lot more collectible and desirable, so a brief history of ideas on how to separate various SIGs based on their actual provenances may be helpful.

“Made in W. Germany” SIGs

Switzerland may have great mozzarella cheese, chocolates, dating sites for single women over 40 singles and wallet knives, however their rigorous regulations badly reduce ability of Swiss enterprises to export firearms. Very Swiss firms wanting to offer their products beyond Switzerland could work surrounding this constraint by integrating with a non-Swiss business. Very in the early 1970s, SIG (which takes its characters from Schweizerische Industriegesellschaft — indicating “Swiss Industrial Company”) partnered with a-west Germany-based Sauer & Sohn, who was noted for their particular top quality hunting rifles, plus the SIG Sauer cooperation was born. Their first joint venture ended up being the SIG P220, which founded in 1975. In advance of their unique collaboration with Sauer, SIG have previously developed the SIG P210 for the Swiss military, therefore the two businesses developed upon the concepts of this SIG P210 when it comes down to SIG P220, which they wanted to export.

Because Sauer & Sohn’s manufacturing unit ended up being based out of Eckernforde, West Germany, all guns created only at that premises gotten a “MADE IN W. GERMANY” stamp on the slip:

Early West German SIG P220 with “Made in W. Germany” stamped regarding fall

The above model also happened to be imported towards the everyone by SIGARMS INC. in Tysons place, VA, the original 1985 venue of SIG Sauer’s people operations — which then consisted just of importing and selling the western German-made firearms.

Typically, the “MADE IN W. GERMANY” stamp appears in uppercase, but there are additionally samples of the stamp appearing in concept case, just like this 1988 SIG P226:

1988 SIG P226 with “Made In W. Germany” stamped about slip

This gives united states on most critical tip for determining a-west German SIG: when it doesn’t have actually “MADE IN W. GERMANY” (or “Made In W. Germany”) stamped about fall, it’s one thing apart from an “outright” West German gun. If this merely states “MADE IN GERMANY,” it is perhaps not a-west German SIG, also it’s inaccurate to refer to it as these.

Origin associated with the phrase “Made in Germany”

This is an excellent location to get a quick stop and give an explanation for origin for the term “Made in Germany,” as it’s most likely not what you think, and you may well not actually believe it.

In 1879, Otto von Bismarck, first Chancellor of Germany, raised significance tariffs on all overseas merchandise getting into Germany in order to secure German suppliers by continuing to keep the costs of the merchandise lower when compared to foreign items (governing bodies still repeat this style of facts these days). Using this cover, the German manufacturing sector grew rapidly, and German merchants began growing their particular exports across the industries of Europe. Because British-made products are regarded as the highest quality at that time, German stores regularly marked and packed her merchandise wrongly — trying to pass them down as British-made.

Which means it absolutely was Britain which actually created the word “Made in Germany,” and forced German stores to use it to stop counterfeiting.

As energy went on, German-made goods fundamentally built their particular global track record of top quality and dependability, to ensure that today the phrase “Made in Germany” was a level of quality, even though the phrase is certainly not trademarked or subject to any main regulatory agency.

The expression “Made in Germany” was still trusted actually on West German goods from 1945 until 1973, if the western German Federal Court ( Bundesgerichtshof ) made a ruling that the expression “Made in Germany” does not let people to properly separate within two Germanys of the time, and so “Made in West Germany” (including “Made in GDR”) began to show up as an alternative. In terms of how when it transitioned returning to “Made in Germany,” especially in the way it is of SIG Sauer pistols, you’ll have to continue reading to learn!

Proof Scars and Big Date Requirements

A different way to determine a West German SIG could be the presence of proof markings and go out rules, though their own life by yourself does not instantly determine a pistol’s provenance. No matter if German evidence scars and day rules create appear on the weapon, it is still perhaps not proper to mention to it as an outright western German SIG in the event it’s lacking the “MADE IN W. GERMANY” in the fall.

A full debate of SIG Sauer Proof markings and go out requirements warrants its article, therefore I moved ahead of time and published one. It is possible to bring a break from this post and read it now, or try it out whenever you’re finished with this specific one. They explains the foundation of verification marks, just what “proofing” try and just why it is crucial… plus dispels some of the net myths nearby SIG verification marks in particular.

Nevertheless TL;DR form of that post usually verification marks suggest where and exactly how a firearm had been test discharged and stated not harmful to utilize, and all of bonafide western German SIGs are going to have one evidence tag showing in which it was tried, another verification mark revealing which type of test that passed away, and a two-letter big date code stamped on the “chin” associated with the fall, as about this 1989 SIG P226:

Proof scars and date signal on a 1989 western German SIG P226

With respect to the firearm unit and antique, it’s furthermore possible observe the transaction regarding the proof markings swapped, like on this subject 1977 SIG P220:

Proof markings and date rule on a 1977 SIG P220

German gun firms utilized the after emails to point proofing dates: