Sauer 38H...
 

I was lucky enough to find this little Sauer 38H pistol rig.

Fascinated with this pistol for a few months, seeing a bunch on Jan Still's forum, and especially after getting a hold a Jim Cate's volume II about Sauer pistols.

The Sauer 38H is the first German double-action pistol (before the WaltherP-38) and has a unique de-cocking/cocking lever as well.

I will have this little gun home next week and will report more. Serial number is 301xxx...

I suspect she will be in my shooter collection...

I was hoping this one would be worn enough to send to Thor for a nice rust-blue restoration job...but I think I might have to find another one with a little more wear and tear...

<a href="http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfupload/petes_sauer_38h_large.jpg" target="_fullview"><img src="http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfupload/petes_sauer_38h_large.jpg" width="400" alt="Click for fullsize image" /></a>

Regards,

Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

Don't you just hate it when you find a gun that is too nice to tinker with?! (Just kidding!). Looks like you have scored another gem. Congratulations, you are doing quite well in collecting . This may be the first "German" double-action, but here is a quiz for the new collectors...what was the first patented double-action semi-automatic pistol?

Pete, that is a GEM! Glad you found a nice one.

Pete, they are neat pistols I have two one is a E/C Police and the other a E/37 Army. I noticed that yours does not have an acceptance mark. Is it a commercial rig?

Ron, I believe it was the Tomiska "Little Tom" available in both 6.35 and 7.65mm. TH

Right you are Tom. The "Little Tom" was produced by the Wiener Waffenfabrik of Vienna, Austria. It employed a brass magazine that was inserted from the top. Quite an interesting and innovative little pistol.

Hello Doug,

I won't know for sure until I get the pistol home next week. It may well be a commercial with its test proofs on the right side only. Better yet, maybe it could have its Army or Plice proof on its right side (as Jim Cate shows in his book as quite rare...a fellow can only hope, yeh...?).

Hello Tom and Ron,

Might one of you have a photo of this first double action pistol...? Or a book reference so I can chase it down myself...?

Regards,

Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

I just got Randy Bessler's latest list and he has one for sale right now. I haven't checked his website yet, but there probably is a picture posted there. In additon to the production by Wiener Waffenfabrik, it was also produced by Alois Tomiska, the inventor, of Pilsen Czechoslovakia. I believe Tomiska is a diminutive form of Thomas, hence "little Tom". Also I think Pilsen Czechoslovakia is the birthplace of one of our favorite adult beverages, pilsner beer.

Hello Ron,

You are correct...here is the link to Randy's site. Gun in question is in the M-Z section, last gun at the bottom of the listing...

http://www.collectorfirearms.us

Regards,

Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />