Key Takeaways:
- The Anchorman X-Five and X-Six resulted from a documented collaboration between Heribert Bettermann and the Anchorman Naval Association.
- Both are all-steel, single-action 9 mm sporting pistols, with five- and six-inch barrels respectively.
- In VISIER’s 25-meter test, the X-Six produced a best group of 35 millimeters and completed the evaluation without a reported stoppage.
The SIG Sauer P226 Anchorman was produced in two sporting configurations: the five-inch X-Five and the six-inch X-Six. According to a contemporary VISIER test, the pistols resulted from a collaboration between competitive shooter, shooting instructor, and SIG Sauer dealer Heribert Bettermann and the Eckernförde-based Anchorman Naval Association.[1]
Both models are all-steel, single-action semiautomatic pistols chambered in 9 mm Luger. They use a modified Browning-type locked-breech system, 19-round magazines, and adjustable target sights.[1]
Their maritime identity is expressed primarily through their finish and furniture. The examples examined by VISIER had matte black PVD-coated surfaces, brushed slide flats, laser-cut front and rear serrations, polished controls, skeletonized slides, and prominent Anchorman markings. Their wooden grips were designed to resemble ship planks weathered by seawater.[1]
Buyers could reportedly choose short or extended grip panels and select black, sterling-silver, or gold inlays. The test pistols carried the Anchorman association’s emblem on their grips and slides, although alternative grip inlays were available.[1]
Specifications
| Specification | Anchorman X-Five | Anchorman X-Six |
|---|---|---|
| Caliber | 9 mm Luger | 9 mm Luger |
| Capacity | 19+1 rounds | 19+1 rounds |
| Dimensions | 223 × 44 × 150 mm | 240 × 44 × 150 mm |
| Barrel length | 5 inches (127 mm) | 6 inches (152.4 mm) |
| Sight radius | 180 mm | 206 mm |
| Published trigger pull | 998 g | 996 g |
| Unloaded weight | 1,236 g (2.73 lb) | 1,296 g (2.86 lb) |
| Action | Single action | Single action |
VISIER evaluated the X-Five’s trigger at approximately one kilogram. The testers described a short initial movement, a progressive increase in resistance, minimal overtravel, and a short reset.[1]
For the accuracy evaluation, the publication fired an Anchorman X-Six from a sandbag rest at 25 meters using several 9 mm Luger loads. The smallest reported group measured 35 millimeters with a 115-grain GECO hollow-point load. All ammunition used during the test functioned without a reported stoppage.[1]
The evaluation also identified two practical limitations. The relatively smooth wooden grips provided less traction than the testers preferred, while the sharp edges around the skeletonized slide openings required care during handling.[1]
The available published record supports describing the Anchorman as a specialized maritime interpretation of the P226 X-Five and X-Six. It does not establish a production quantity, a numbered edition, or a documented position as the final product of SIG Sauer’s German Mastershop. Its collectible identity therefore rests on its distinctive configuration and documented Bettermann–Anchorman collaboration rather than an independently verified claim of extreme rarity.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a maritime-themed sporting interpretation of the SIG Sauer P226. Contemporary documentation identifies X-Five and X-Six configurations.
VISIER attributes them to a collaboration between competitive shooter and SIG Sauer dealer Heribert Bettermann and the Anchorman Naval Association.
The X-Five has a five-inch barrel and 180 mm sight radius. The X-Six has a six-inch barrel and 206 mm sight radius.
At 25 meters, VISIER recorded a best group of 35 millimeters with a 115-grain GECO load. No stoppages were reported with the ammunition tested.
The cited published record does not establish a production total. Claims about a specific quantity cannot currently be verified with high certainty.
Sources
- Dario Nothnick, “SIG Sauer P226 Anchorman X-Five und X-Six Pistolen: Die maritimen Sportler im Test,” VISIER/all4shooters.com, July 13, 2020; originally published in VISIER, Issue 4/2020.
- VS Medien GmbH, “VISIER 2020/4—SIG Sauer P226 Anchorman: Maritime Sportler,” publisher’s archival record for the original article.
