Typically, in firearms-related community forums and social media groups just like the SIG Sauer Legion myspace people, I’ll begin to see the words “West German SIG” and “German SIG” put interchangeably. I’ll additionally see weapons described as “German-made” whenever that might maybe not in fact function as the situation. Some holders wrongly (but innocently) assume that a P-Series SIG Sauer with “Made in Germany” stamped on the slip, or a-frame engraved “Frame Made in Germany” is not any distinct from a pistol with “Made in W. Germany” stamped throughout the slip — whenever that is in fact false.

There are a number of differences between SIGs produced in Germany (or western Germany) vs. those made out of components produced in Germany and put together in america. Those variations rely on which versions we’re using when it comes to. For a discussion on differences on P226 product, for example, see my escort girl Sioux Falls P226 Version records and Head-to-Head assessment video clip. Regarding if those differences render one version much better than another is a point of discussion… better remaining to debate community forums and Twitter groups. There’s no denying, but that SIG enthusiasts have a tendency to locate “true” German and specifically western German SIGs somewhat much more collectible and desirable, and a brief history of how-to separate various SIGs based on their own genuine provenances can be helpful.

“Made in W. Germany” SIGs

Switzerland might have fantastic cheddar, candy, and pocket blades, however their rigid rules seriously limit the capabilities of Swiss businesses to export guns. So Swiss agencies wishing to promote their products outside Switzerland could work around this constraint by integrating with a non-Swiss business. Very in the early 1970s, SIG (which took its emails from Schweizerische Industriegesellschaft — meaning “Swiss Industrial Company”) combined with a West Germany-based Sauer & Sohn, who had been noted for their particular top quality hunting rifles, additionally the SIG Sauer collaboration was given birth to. Their particular very first mutual job had been the SIG P220, which founded in 1975. Before their particular partnership with Sauer, SIG have formerly developed the SIG P210 your Swiss military, so that the two enterprises constructed upon the concepts associated with SIG P210 for any SIG P220, which they wanted to export.

Because Sauer & Sohn’s factory ended up being based in Eckernforde, western Germany, all guns developed during that establishment received a “MADE IN W. GERMANY” stamp to their slip:

Very early West German SIG P220 with “Made in W. Germany” stamped on slide

These design additionally were brought in on US by SIGARMS INC. in Tysons part, VA, the first 1985 place of SIG Sauer’s everyone surgery — which then comprised just of importing and promoting the West German-made weapons.

Normally, the “MADE IN W. GERMANY” stamp looks in uppercase, but there are additionally types of the stamp showing up in subject case, with this 1988 SIG P226:

1988 SIG P226 with “Made In W. Germany” stamped in the fall

This gives united states toward essential guideline for identifying a-west German SIG: whether or not it doesn’t posses “MADE IN W. GERMANY” (or “Made In W. Germany”) stamped regarding the fall, it is anything except that an “outright” West German firearm. If this simply says “MADE IN GERMANY,” it’s perhaps not a West German SIG, plus it’s wrong to mention to it as these types of.

Source from the term “Made in Germany”

This is a good destination to get a simple pause and give an explanation for beginnings on the expression “Made in Germany,” given that it’s not likely what you think, therefore might not even accept is as true.

In 1879, Otto von Bismarck, basic Chancellor of Germany, brought up significance tariffs on all overseas merchandise getting into Germany in order to protect German makers by keeping the costs of these merchandise low in comparison with foreign products (governing bodies still do this kind of things nowadays). With this specific cover, the German production sector grew fast, and German merchants began increasing their own exports over the marketplace of Europe. Because British-made goods comprise considered the very best quality at that time, German merchants routinely marked and packaged their particular goods wrongly — trying to go all of them down as British-made.

This means that it actually was Britain that really created the term “Made in Germany,” and pushed German merchants to utilize it to prevent counterfeiting.

As time proceeded, German-made items ultimately constructed their own global reputation for top quality and excellence, to make sure that now the expression “Made in Germany” are a level of quality, although the expression just isn’t trademarked or controlled by any main regulatory institution.

The word “Made in Germany” was still trusted actually on West German items from 1945 until 1973, whenever the western German Federal courtroom ( Bundesgerichtshof ) made a ruling the phrase “Made in Germany” doesn’t enable customers to properly differentiate between the two Germanys of that time period, and therefore “Made in West Germany” (plus “Made in GDR”) started to seem instead. In terms of how when it transitioned back to “Made in Germany,” specifically in your situation of SIG Sauer pistols, you’ll need to read on discover!

Proof Scars and Time Requirements

Another way to determine a West German SIG will be the existence of proof scars and go out codes, though her life by yourself will not instantly identify a pistol’s provenance. Regardless of if German proof scars and day requirements create appear on the weapon, it’s still not appropriate to mention to it as an outright western German SIG if it’s missing out on the “MADE IN W. GERMANY” regarding the fall.

The full discussion of SIG Sauer Proof markings and date rules is deserving of its own post, and so I moved ahead and had written one. You’ll be able to simply take a break out of this article and read it today, or give it a look when you’re finished with this specific one. It describes the foundation of verification marks, exactly what “proofing” are and just why it’s essential… in addition to dispels some of the net urban myths surrounding SIG proof markings particularly.

Nevertheless TL;DR form of that article is verification markings suggest in which and just how a firearm was actually examination discharged and announced safe for use, and all of bonafide western German SIGs could have one evidence mark showing where it actually was examined, another evidence level showing what kind of test it passed, and a two-letter date rule stamped about “chin” from the slip, as about this 1989 SIG P226:

Proof markings and go out code on a 1989 western German SIG P226

With respect to the weapon model and antique, it is additionally possible to see the order associated with proof scars switched, like about 1977 SIG P220:

Proof marks and time code on a 1977 SIG P220

German weapon manufacturers used the soon after emails to suggest proofing schedules: