Latest Find! Early Sauer 38

[Matt Weber]

Here is my latest find guys! It is a very early commercial Sauer model 38. It is all matching, with beautiful hi-polish finish. It is crown/N proofed, and looking through Cates book on Sauers, it is one of the first to have the manual thumb saftey added to it.
Also, the magazine is the very early 2nd pattern, (8 holes),with hi-polish finish. Grips are also the very early ones, with the horizontal "S" on them!

The holster is somewhat puzzling me though? It looks like a typical WWII Era police holster. However, there are no police markings on it.
I looked inside and found the maker mark, "JLS" and below that the name "A. Schweyer, Muenchen" and the date "1918".
Now, clearly the holster has been modified as evident of the extra hole on the closure flap. But judging from wear, this holster has held this Sauer 38 for a very long time! (it fits like a glove!)
My question is, what was this holster originally made for? Could it be for a Sauer 1913? And does anybody know of this maker?

Thanks!
Matt

[Matt Weber]

reverse of the holster. Just looking at this holster, it is in amazingly good condition for its age!

[Matt Weber]

Maker markings inside. I tried to get as best photo as I could.

It is marked "JLS" in all caps. Then the maker name looks like "A.Schweyer, Muechen" and the date "1918". Any info on this maker? or this holster?

[Matt Weber]

Now the pistol! These very early Sauers have such nice finish. These photos don't nearly do it justice!

[Matt Weber]

right side view. This Sauer has very little wear. Only slide holster wear on the right side of the slide as seen here, which is very typical of Sauer 38s.

[Matt Weber]

Here are the early grips, with the horizontal "S" on them.

[Matt Weber]

Group photo! Here is a nice progression of the Sauer 38 and model H.

Up top is the early commercial model 38.
In the middle is an early war military proofed, model H.
On the bottom is a last ditch Sauer, with no proof markings on it at all!

Hope you enjoyed them!

Matt

[r.blue]

Matt,
Try a Dreyse '07 in the holster. Either that or a Walther 4 or Mauser 1914.
R.B.

[Von Hoth]

r blue, I was actually gonna say dreyse 07 too before i even noticed your post.

I own a dreyse, a real nice one. but anyways, when I looked up dreyses they were last made in 1917 so why would the holster be made in 1918?


I know i'm gonna probably be wrong on something and you're about to school me. so when was the dreyse last made?


( the one I have was found on german tankman in north africa by my uncle ernie) so I guess he was carrying his father's old gun from wwI? is this common?

also, the holster that my dreyse was found in is alot different from this holster in question, so is my holster incorrect? or hard to tell I due to variations? my holster has no markings....

the finish is not bad for an old dreyse, can you believe a local dealer said it's worth 50 dollars? is that how little demand these have are?

[Von Hoth]

the top of the gun

[sauerfan]

Matt,

congratulations for this fine early model 38. you said:

It is crown/N proofed, and looking through Cates book on Sauers, it is one of the first to have the manual thumb saftey added to it.

so I guess, SN will be in the 263,xxx or 264,xxx range, or? The early ones do have painted sights (yellow on front sight, red on rear sight). Is the paint present on yours also?

Regarding the holster: no idea. It is no Sauer 1913 holster. I also would guess a Walther model 4 .


Regards


Martin

[r.blue]

VonHoth,
To answer your question about when production stopped on the '07 I wouldn't know. However, Jan Still is working on a book "Central Powers Handguns" or something like that and I'm sure that he'll have all sorts of great data on these under appreciated pistols.
Your dealer friend is right...they really don't have a great deal of collector interest right now but the book will probably change things. I would think that your rig would be worth a little more than $50 though.
As for your holster. Well, the Dreyse saw considerable use after the first World War and was popular with the police. Holsters were made for them after the first World War and your's could be a correct variation. How well does it fit the holster and how well does the spare mag fit in the mag pouch? That will help determine if the holster was made for the Dreyse.
R.Blue

[Von Hoth]

they fit perfectly, mag and gun are snug in the holster.


why would Jan be writing another book when it's taking so long just to send the axis pistols book for reprint?

I can't believe the high demand that is forcing book dealers to charge over 500 dollars for it doesn't get the attention of a publisher to reprint it.


I want a copy but it's insanely priced.

I wonder if i could borrow the book through the inter-library system, then send 65 dollars to Jan which is his retail price and make a new binding for myself. I would of course ask him first. I can't afford 500 dollars for a book.

[Douglas Jr.]

Matt,

Just like to follow the other and congratulate you for such nice pistol! I really enjoy it . It seems that you completed another "production story rig".

Douglas

[r.blue]

I was unaware that "Axis Pistols" was out of print. There lots of copies around and finding a used one shouldn't be that difficult.
He used to have some on hand. You might want to contact him and try and get a copy.
I do know that he is working on a new book and I would guess that it would follow a simmilar format to his other publications.
As for your holster....if it fits ....there you are. It's for the '07.
R.B.