Identifying Sauer H38
1913 Model-The 7.65 mm. Sauer pistol was the first to be brought out and is properly called the 1913 Modell as it was introduced in that year. It frequently is referred to as the Old Model. As a matter of fact, no model designation was assigned to it until early in the 1920's, when a smaller version of the same model appeared in 6.35 caliber (Fig. 241).
The 1913 Mod. is characterised by its rather unique appearance. The barrel is housed in a rather large tube or cylinder, with a spiral recoil spring surrounding it. It has a separate breechblock unit which is inserted from the rear, somewhat after the fashion of the American Savage which appeared in 1907 and which may have furnished the idea. The breechblock unit is disengaged by pressing down the rear sight and turning a large milled cap at the rear end of the slide. When this is unscrewed sufficiently the breechblock unit can be removed and the slide can be pushed forward off the barrel. The pistol is of the blowback type, having a concealed firing pin (striker). The magazine holds 7 Browning 7.65 mm. cartridges. There is a manual safety on the left side, just back of the trigger guard, which is manipulated with the thumb. When the safety lever is turned with the slide open the slide is locked in that position. The grip is straight, not streamlined as in later models, and does not afford as good a hold. Like all Sauer products the gun was well made. From 1913 to about 1920 there seem to have been no changes, after which some changes in the firing mechanism and different forms of grip pieces were tried out, with no change in model designation, however. When production of this model ceased is not known, but it was still offered on the market in 1929.
Factory literature gives the following data for the 1913 Model, as originally issued: total length, 144 mm.; barrel length, 78 mm.; height, 98 mm.; rifling, 1 turn in 420 mm.; number of grooves, 6; weight, empty, 565 gm.; and magazine cap., 7 ctges.
„Behorden" Modell-In most details the Behorden (i.e., Authority) model, or 1930 Modell as it is also called, is very much like the 1913 Mod., but it has a more attractive appearance in that it has a streamlined grip affording a much better hold. Work on this model is said to have been started in 1927, but it did not appear commercially until 1930. Serial numbering started where the numbering of the 1913 Mod. left off, apparently somewhere around the number 175,000. As was hoped, this model was adopted to some extent for police use. The Dutch Naval Service and Police Service adopted it for such use, in the regular commercial form; and it is reported that a special form was furnished for Dutch police use (Fig. 242).
Several styles of grip piece and slide markings will be found, and a light (duralumin) frame variation may also be encountered.
Modell H(38)-As early as 1932 Sauer began experimenting with double action firing systems. O. Zehner has been named as the leading engineer on this project. From 1932 to 1937 several experimental models were made, apparently with the idea of incorporating this feature into the Behorden model. However, in 1938 a completely new pistol had been produced as a replacement for the „Behorden" model. This pistol was first called the Sauer Selbstladepistole - Modell H - Kal. 7.65. The letter H stood for Hahn (hammer), as this was a „Hahn Selbstspannung" (hammer, selfcocking) pistol. The nomenclature was soon changed and the pistol is now known as the Modell 38(H) (Fig. 243).
This pistol is unusually attractive in appearance and functions well. The top of the slide is ribbed and checked, which aids in sighting and improves the pistol's appearance. There are some good features in design. When the magazine is out the pistol cannot be fired, but when it is pushed in all the way the mechanism is unlocked and the arm can now be discharged (if there is a cartridge in the barrel) by pulling the trigger, which both cocks and fires, because of the „double action." With a cartridge in the barrel, the hammer may be lowered by pressing down the cocking lever, thus putting the pistol into a safe though fully loaded condition. If it is desired to cock the arm before firing, in order to take better aim, this can be done by pressing down the cocking lever and giving the trigger a strong pull. This double action firing system is one of the best that has been produced. In addition there is also a mechanical safety, operated by a lever or thumb piece on the left side of the slide, back of the trigger guard. When the last shot is fired, the slide remains in the open position, indicating that the arm is empty.
No production figures are available, but hundreds of thousands were made for the German Luftwaffe, who took over the entire production in the war period, up to the close of the war in 1945. The serial numbering was a continuation of that used for the „Behorden" model, and specimens having numbers above 500,000 have been examined.
As the war progressed, some minor changes and some simplifications in design were made, the most important of which was the elimination of the cocking lever (or hammer safety) on the rear of the slide. This change, judging from serial numbering, seems to have occurred in 1944. just why this seemingly very desirable feature (possessed by no other arm) was eliminated is not known. Presumably it was done to speed up production and may not have been considered of vital importance in a military weapon. While the pistols produced during the wartime did not have the excellent finish found in pre-war specimens, and often had wood grip pieces, the quality of workmanship on the essentials seems not to have suffered.
Experimental modelswith light (duralumin ) frames were made, and experimental work on adaptations of this model to pistols of 6.35 mm. and 9 mm. Short calibers are reported to have been made. Unconfirmed reports have also appeared that some work was done on a .22 caliber pistol as well. Apparently these experimental types were not successful or were not put into production because of the war.
It is reported that some experimental work was done on design for a fully locked, recoil-operated type of military pistol to handle the 9 mm. Parabellum cartridge. This has not been fully verified, and no specimens have been seen. However, considering Sauer's reputation for skill in design and excellent workmanship, it would seem logical that they may have been asked to undertake such work.
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