Sauer 38H ID Question
 

I don't know if this is the correct place for this question. If not maybe someone might direct me to a better platform.

I have a 376,770 matching e/N pistol. It does not have a E/37 waffen and there is no evidence of its removal.

Army?...Police.. what?

Any info would be appreicated.
Thank you in advance,
Ken

Gun Digest published this parts schematic and Pistols of the World had a lengthy listing of Sauer handguns including the 38H but in their inimitable fashion it traces the pistols lineage from the firms beginning, which takes up several pages, rather than the individual pistol itself. If you're interested I can scan and post/send them. They do say it was a very well made handgun and they are at a loss as to why it was not continued after the war as were Mauser and Walther pistols. It appears to have a number of innovative features. Not much mention of wartime production/issuance. :(

Here's the interesting part... :D

Without police or Waffen Amt markings it's a commercial. Commercial production was lower than military or police procurement. Could be an officer's purchase or one of the "allowed" categories of persons permitted to possess handguns. Looks like a nice one.

G2

Mine is about 1000 digits higher than yours. They are great pistols.

I believe the reason Sauer did not begin pistol production after the war was due to Walthers influence with the American military. I think i got that from Jim Cate's volume 2. The Walthers were always better politicians than the Sauers. Sauer machinery was not shipped to the West.

Suhl fell into Soviet control after WWII. The larger firms that included Sauer, Merkel, Haenel, and Simson/BSW/ Gustlof Werke were united and known as the VEB or Volkseigene Betriebe. the East German government

Jim may explain this far better than me.