Author Topic: J. P. Sauer & Sohn (Read 5843 times)

Spirithawk · « **on:** June 12, 2012, 05:54:50 AM »

My daughter and son-in-law were home on leave from the Navy this week. My son-in-law gifted me with an early Father's Day present. This .357 Mag single action. It's marked J. P. Sauer & Sohn on the left side of the barrel and underneath that, made in Western Germany. On the other side it says Chief Marshal. On the frame it's marked Hawes Firearms LTD, Los Angeles, California. I believe Hawes was an importer. I read that J. P. Sauer is the same Sauer as in Sig/Sauer. Anyways, I intend to have lots of fun with it and will carry it any time I'm in the woods.

Anyone know anything about this pistol?
He also gave me the holster and gunbelt with the pistol. The holster is funtional but not the best fit so I'll likely look for another.

spruce · « **Reply #1 on:** June 12, 2012, 01:50:31 PM »

You got a good son in law Spirithawk!

Never owned one, but from what I've heard about them they were a quality, well-made revolver.
They were also chambered in .44 mag, .45 Colt, .357/9mm combo, .45 Colt/.45Auto combo, and .44 mag/.44-40 combo (according to my Gun Trader's Guide). I had never heard of the combo chamberings before so I'm thinking those versions would be quite rare.

Should be a fine companion to tote around in the woods!

guzzijohn · « **Reply #2 on:** June 13, 2012, 01:46:08 AM »

I had a .22 SA Hawes back in the 70s. Later had a Colt .22 SA. I would take the Hawes over the Colt, at least during that time period.
GuzziJohn

Spirithawk · « **Reply #3 on:** June 13, 2012, 09:09:01 AM »

Thanks guys.
Guzzijohn.... I'm pretty sure this one was made in the 70's.

Swampman · « **Reply #4 on:** June 13, 2012, 12:48:31 PM »

They made guns for Herters I believe. Great guns!!!

Spirithawk · « **Reply #5 on:** June 13, 2012, 02:36:34 PM »

I've got a box of .38 Special + P's, would it be safe to shoot them in this pistol? How do the + P .38 Specials compare to the .357 mag?

Swampman · « **Reply #6 on:** June 13, 2012, 10:32:48 PM »

They are lighter than the .357 Magnums and should be fine.

Spirithawk · « **Reply #7 on:** June 14, 2012, 01:50:54 PM »

Quote from: Swampman on June 13, 2012, 10:32:48 PM

They are lighter than the .357 Magnums and should be fine.

I kinda thought as much but wasn't sure. Thanks Swamp.

temmi · « **Reply #8 on:** June 15, 2012, 06:43:02 AM »

Very nice

gcrank1 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 15, 2012, 08:59:44 AM »

Ya gotta get reloading cast bullets in Maggie cases to 'less than 357 Mag' loads; lots o' big fun on the cheap!

44 Man · « **Reply #10 on:** June 15, 2012, 02:59:31 PM »

A few years ago I received an old Hy Hunter (same gun, different importer) made by Sauer and Shon in .44 Mag and it's a great gun! And yes, the Sauer part is now Sig/Sauer. These were quality revolvers and will last several lifetimes. Mine was made in the early 70's also. Although I didn't buy mine back then, I do remember shoping back then and making a tough decision whether to buy the Hawes which sold for $78 or a Ruger which sold for $87.50. The Ruger had adjustable sights so it won out for my hunting purposes. The one I have has been carried for many years and shows it, but I like it that way showing some good, honest finish wear. Shoot the heck out of that gun and enjoy every minute of it! 44 Man

Ladobe · « **Reply #11 on:** June 16, 2012, 06:41:09 AM »

Quote from: Swampman on June 13, 2012, 12:48:31 PM

They made guns for Herters I believe. Great guns!!!

Spot on Mark.

I've owned a ton of SA's over the years, but the 357 and 401 Power Mags I bought from Herter's in 1967ish for give away prices were two of them that I got the best service from out of all of them. The 401PM was my favoite for many years, I killed a bunch of game with it and it is one of those I wish I hadn't sold a few years ago.

Not my 401 Power Mag, but a picture of one just like it...

Swampman · « **Reply #12 on:** June 16, 2012, 01:40:35 PM »

I'd love to have a Power Mag.

jcn59 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 16, 2012, 05:09:09 PM »

I had a couple .44s and a .357 in the seventies, all fixed sight versions that shot to point of aim. Great guns. I have a Herters .357 now and it's a big, solid accurate gun, old style 3 screw, don't carry a live round under the hammer.

Spirithawk · « **Reply #14 on:** August 23, 2012, 12:22:29 PM »

I never carry a live round under the hammer in any single action. Just a life long habbit. One of the things I like about this pistol is that it has adjustable sights since I plan on hunting with it.

This one is a bit odd in that it's the Chief Marshal yet has the brass triggerguard and backstrap like the Montana Marshal. The Chief Marshal was the only one to have adjustable sights and this one is stamped Chief Marshal on the barrel. The Montana Marshal was the only one to have the brass. Wonder if maybe this one was a special order?

Ladobe · « **Reply #15 on:** August 23, 2012, 01:38:13 PM »

Same here. Growing up on the ranch from the 40's mostly with Colt SA's, it just became a life long habit. Much later when I got a few Ruger NM's I still loaded 5 in them. But I alwasy did and still do prefer the old SA's, all I've owned since the 80's. All OM Rugers now, the others are all gone. I'd probably give any one of them up for another Herter's 401 Power Mag though in real nice condition, maybe some even for a 357 PM. But my 401PM was the do all and a great shooter.

44 Man · « **Reply #16 on:** August 25, 2012, 01:45:07 AM »

Spirithawk, I think you are right about the grip frame. But I also think a lot of swapping has been done over time. The original frame and ejector rod housing was anodized aluminum just like the Rugers. And the finish wears over time but you cannot 'touch it up' as you can when the blueing wears. So I believe that a lot aluminum grip frames have been 'traded up' to the brass. The brass certainly is classy! I remember how nice the Ruger's looked with the short lived brass grip frame. You can still buy a brass grip frame/trigger guard from Numrich arms. I plan to have one shortly. Of course then I may have to refinish the whole revolver to be worthy of the brass! One thing just leads to another! 44 Man

Spirithawk · « **Reply #17 on:** August 26, 2012, 08:46:40 AM »

Quote from: 44 Man on August 25, 2012, 01:45:07 AM

Spirithawk, I think you are right about the grip frame. But I also think a lot of swapping has been done over time. The original frame and ejector rod housing was anodized aluminum just like the Rugers. And the finish wears over time but you cannot 'touch it up' as you can when the blueing wears. So I believe that a lot aluminum grip frames have been 'traded up' to the brass. The brass certainly is classy! I remember how nice the Ruger's looked with the short lived brass grip frame. You can still buy a brass grip frame/trigger guard from Numrich arms. I plan to have one shortly. Of course then I may have to refinish the whole revolver to be worthy of the brass! One thing just leads to another! 44 Man

Thanks, that makes sense.

My son and I spent yesterday morning in my back yard shooting. His T/C Contender and my Sauer .357. At 40 yards I can put every shot in the lung area of a deer with it. Not bad for open sights and my old eyes. lol I'm quite happy with it and the Sauer will be with me any time I head into the woods. It should handle anything I run across. I've taken deer with everything but a pistol so I'm looking forward to this firearms season. This is a handgun that I concider a real keeper and eventualy it will go to my son, but not before it sees a lot of use by me.

CB lastmanout · « **Reply #18 on:** August 26, 2012, 12:18:30 PM »

Yep. Have owned one of the Sauer and Sohn single actions. Very well made. I think SIG (Swiss) bought the German Sauer and Sohn to allow arms production/sales to foreign countries. That way the Swiss can claim to a neutral country/company.

44 Man · « **Reply #19 on:** August 27, 2012, 02:40:53 AM »

Just as an aside; I just won my bid on gunbroker and I have a brass backstrap/trigger guard set on the way!

44 Man

Hodr · « **Reply #20 on:** August 27, 2012, 03:19:37 AM »

I brought back a set of JP Sauer single actions, 22lr and 357, from Berlin in in 1968. I was an armorer in Co C, 3rd Btn, 6 Inf and put in for import permits when I bought three pistols. Luckily I had the import permits in hand because Sirhan shot Robert Kenedy and Dept of state squashed all import permit procedures immediatly. Third pistol was an Erma 22 luger. I sat up late nights and made holsters and belts for all three with tools and knowledge gained from the enlisted mens club. I gave the single actions to my father and the Erma to my brother. Mom sent the Sauers back to me when Dad died. I doubt if they have 500 rounds through both of them. Dad displayed them and two complete sets of carved Merscham pipes I gave him with pride but never really used them.

Hodr

Spirithawk · « **Reply #21 on:** August 27, 2012, 09:18:39 AM »

Quote from: 44 Man on August 27, 2012, 02:40:53 AM

Just as an aside; I just won my bid on gunbroker and I have a brass backstrap/trigger guard set on the way! 44 Man

Cool! Congrats! You'll have to post a pic when you get it installed.

Hodr, sorry to hear about your father. I lost mine in 78. It's great you still have the Sauers. They'll always remind you of your dad. You should put them to use.

Savage · « **Reply #22 on:** August 28, 2012, 04:35:15 PM »

I have a Hawes "Western Marshal" in .357 I bought back in the 60s. Haven't shot it in years but it's a great gun! I've fired loads through that gun that I wouldn't ever recommend to anyone.
Savage

44 Man · « **Reply #23 on:** August 29, 2012, 06:35:58 AM »

Savage, 'back in the day' the Sauer was considered just as strong as the Ruger. I wouldn't worry much about your .357 loads hurting the gun. But I wouldn't want to shoot 300 gr .44 loads in mine! Not because the gun can't handle it, I'm sure it can, but it would HURT big time. That grip shape is a bear with full .44 loads with 240 gr bullets! 44 Man

McDerry · « **Reply #24 on:** September 03, 2012, 04:41:02 AM »

I got one of those aswell, except mines in .401 Power Mag.

44 Man · « **Reply #25 on:** October 01, 2012, 11:21:28 AM »

I'm sure you have seen the post but I have to add my 'updated' pic of my Hy Hunter with it's barrel cut to 4" and with it's brass grip frame/trigger guard.

44 Man

Spirithawk · « **Reply #26 on:** October 01, 2012, 05:14:46 PM »

Quote from: 44 Man on October 01, 2012, 11:21:28 AM

I'm sure you have seen the post but I have to add my 'updated' pic of my Hy Hunter with it's barrel cut to 4" and with it's brass grip frame/trigger guard. 44 Man

All right! Cool, I'm glad you got the brass on it. Got a question, where did you get the grips? Those look pretty nice on there.

44 Man · « **Reply #27 on:** October 02, 2012, 02:23:15 AM »

Spirithawk, I think YOUR grips look pretty cool too! A lot better than the one piece brown ones I did have on it which came off my .22 Bounty hunter and fit. These are an old pair of Colt copy plastic grips that I had fitted to the .22 Bounty hunter to replace the wood ones. (you do know that the Bounty Hunter's grip frames are the same as the old Sauer parts) Anyway I had to take quite a bit off originally to fit the 22, then a little more at the back to fit the brass frame. There is a little frame exposed at the front curve that would be covered had the grips not been fit to another gun first, but not enough to bother the feel. I hit the sides of the grip frame with a magic marker to cover it. It looks to me like you could do the same. But the 'powermag' grip frames are longer so I don't know what might fit those. 44 Man

Spirithawk · « **Reply #28 on:** October 02, 2012, 04:02:13 PM »

Thanks.

I too like the grain my grips have. I believe they are Rosewood acording to what I read. My only thought concerning changing them would be to get a rubber type grip for a more comfortable feel. As far as grips go, my 1860 Colt Old Army .44 is the most comfortable gun I've ever held. Just feels right when held, like it was a custom fit to my hand. Wish the Sauer felt that way but still the Sauer isn't real bad. Just could be improved on a bit I think.

This is my Baby. Bought it when my son was born 37 years ago.

Always thought these grips are simply beautiful. Few guns ever made have the ballance and feel of an 1860 Old Army.

Hit or Miss · « **Reply #29 on:** December 15, 2012, 04:09:11 PM »

This has been a great thread guys! A buddy of mine has a Sauer and Sohn's in .22. Unfortunately, it's the biggest piece of crap ever made. Makes me wonder where it fit in as far as the progression of the company.