#Sig p229 serial numbers how to#

So in the early 1970s, SIG (which takes its letters from Schweizerische Industrie gesellschaft - meaning “Swiss Industrial Company”) partnered with a West Germany-based Sauer & Sohn, who was known for their quality hunting rifles, and the SIG Sauer partnership was born. So Swiss companies wishing to sell their products outside of Switzerland can work around this restriction by partnering with a non-Swiss company.

Switzerland may have great cheese, chocolate, and pocket knives, but their strict laws severely limit the ability of Swiss companies to export firearms.

#Sig p229 serial numbers how to#

There’s no denying, however, that SIG fans generally tend to find “true” German and particularly West German SIGs somewhat more collectible and desirable, and so a brief overview of how to distinguish different SIGs based on their actual provenances might be useful. As to whether or not those differences make one version better than the other is a matter of debate… better left to discussion forums and Facebook groups. For a discussion on differences on the P226 model, for example, check out my P226 Version History and Head-to-Head Comparison video. Those differences depend upon which models we’re taking about. those made with parts made in Germany and assembled in the US.

There are a number of differences between SIGs made in Germany (or West Germany) vs. Germany” stamped on the slide - when that’s actually not the case. Some owners mistakenly (but innocently) assume that a P-Series SIG Sauer with “Made in Germany” stamped on the slide, or a frame engraved “Frame Made in Germany” is no different than a pistol with “Made in W. I’ll also see guns referred to as “German-made” when that might not actually be the case. Often, in firearms-related forums and social media groups like the SIG Sauer Legion Facebook group, I’ll see the terms “West German SIG” and “German SIG” used interchangeably.