Sauer 38H...

Pete Ebbink · 02-18-2004, 01:30 AM

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" />

Ron Wood · 02-18-2004, 01:54 AM

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?

Thor · 02-18-2004, 08:20 AM

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

Doug G. · 02-18-2004, 09:24 AM

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?

Lugerdoc · 02-18-2004, 09:31 AM

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

Ron Wood · 02-18-2004, 11:44 AM

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.

Pete Ebbink · 02-18-2004, 12:32 PM

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" />

Ron Wood · 02-18-2004, 01:15 PM

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.

Pete Ebbink · 02-18-2004, 01:27 PM

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" />

02-18-2004, 01:30 AM	#1
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	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" />

02-18-2004, 01:54 AM	#2
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 6,988 Thanks: 1,067 Thanked 5,099 Times in 1,676 Posts	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? __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

02-18-2004, 08:20 AM	#3
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	Pete, that is a GEM! Glad you found a nice one. __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

02-18-2004, 09:24 AM	#4
Doug G. User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Illinois Posts: 713 Thanks: 1 Thanked 53 Times in 17 Posts	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? __________________ Suppose you were an idiot.....and suppose you were a member of Congress.....But I repeat myself" ~~ Mark Twain

02-18-2004, 09:31 AM	#5
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	Ron, I believe it was the Tomiska "Little Tom" available in both 6.35 and 7.65mm. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

02-18-2004, 11:44 AM	#6
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 6,988 Thanks: 1,067 Thanked 5,099 Times in 1,676 Posts	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. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

02-18-2004, 12:32 PM	#7
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	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" />

02-18-2004, 01:15 PM	#8
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 6,988 Thanks: 1,067 Thanked 5,099 Times in 1,676 Posts	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. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

02-18-2004, 01:27 PM	#9
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	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" />