Sauer 38H
First handgun with a combined cocking/decocking lever.
The Sauer 38H is a small semi-automatic pistol produced by J. P. Sauer & Sohn in Nazi Germany from 1938 until shortly after the end of World War II in Europe. It is notable for being the first handgun to feature a lever that could both cock and safely decock the hammer, a design innovation that influenced later firearms.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Nazi Germany
- Is Ranged
- yes
- Service
- 1939–45
- Used By
- Nazi Germany / People's Movement for the Liberation of Azawad
- Wars
- World War II / Tuareg rebellion (1990–1995)
- Designer
- J. P. Sauer & Sohn
- Design Date
- 1938
- Production Date
- 1938–1945
- Number
- ~200,000
- Weight
- 715 g
- Length
- 161 mm
- Part Length
- 86 mm
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Sauer 38H was developed from earlier Sauer semi-automatic handguns to compete with Mauser and Walther in the commercial market. With the outbreak of war, most pistols went to German police agencies, which stamped them; some survive with original holsters and additional magazines. Examples presented to Nazi officials often featured custom engraving, ivory grips, and gold inlay. The pistol was produced in three basic models: the first with 'JP Sauer und Sohn' on the slide, the second marked only 'CAL 7.65', and the third omitting the safety and cocking/decocking lever. Late-war production saw simplified markings, rough finish, and elimination of features like the slide-mounted safety; some late examples retained the safety but omitted the cocking/decocking lever. Final examples produced until April 1945, when the factory was overrun by the Allies, often have mismatched serial numbers and poor fit and finish.
Reader's Guide
The Sauer 38H introduced a revolutionary cocking/decocking lever located on the left side below the slide, forward of the grip. This allowed the hammer to be lowered for safe carry at any time, with the cocking feature necessary due to the shrouded hammer. A hollow space on the trigger indicated whether the concealed hammer was cocked; a small pin at the rear of the slide served as a loaded chamber indicator. Another advanced feature was the magazine safety, which deactivated the trigger when the magazine was removed. The pistol's design persists in the SIG Sauer P232 and P230, which also feature a fixed barrel, decocking lever, and similar internal design. The Heckler & Koch P9 also uses a cocking/decocking lever based on the Sauer 38H. Many Sauer 38Hs remain in use today, often with replacement grips, as original Bakelite grips tend to crack and crumble with age. The grips originally bore 'SUS' lettering for 'Sauer und Sohn' on the same side as the magazine release.
Did You Know?
- The 'H' in Sauer 38H stands for 'hahn', referring to the internal hammer.
- A Sauer 38H that belonged to Sepp Dietrich sold for $43,125.00 in September 2004.
- The pistol was used by German armed forces such as the Luftwaffe and police in numbers nearly equal to the Walther PPK.
More in Semi-Automatic Pistols, Part 2 1-24
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