Description
There are presentation firearms, and then there are objects created to represent state, authority, and national identity. This engraved Sphinx SDP Standard Inox belongs firmly in the latter category.
Crafted entirely from stainless steel, this pistol is a luxury, pre-series presentation example developed for the Jordanian Intelligence Service, intended for presentation to King Abdullah II of Jordan. It is not a commercial embellishment, nor a later commemorative interpretation, but an early prototype that defined the final production standard for one of the most exclusive state presentation pistols ever commissioned by Sphinx.
The side surfaces of the slide and frame are richly engraved with flowing Arabic ornamental motifs, executed with precision and restraint rather than excess. The engraving is architectural in nature—balanced, symmetrical, and deliberate, complementing the clean geometry of the SDP platform rather than overwhelming it. Along the top of the slide, the emblem of the Jordanian Intelligence Service is engraved as a clear mark of purpose and provenance.
Mechanically, the pistol reflects Sphinx’s reputation for uncompromising engineering. It is a full stainless, all-steel construction chambered in 9mm Parabellum, featuring a traditional SA/DA trigger system with an ambidextrous decocking lever. Dual slide serrations at both the front and rear provide functional balance, while a Picatinny accessory rail is precisely milled into the frame. The controls and magazine are finished in a contrasting blued tone, paired with black polymer grip panels incorporating Kraton inserts and the Sphinx logo for a tactile, understated finish.
This example represents one of only two pre-series prototype presentation pistols produced during the development phase. These prototypes remained in Switzerland and served as the reference standard for the Jordanian Intelligence Service’s final order. The King ultimately received presentation pistols from the subsequent production series, making these prototypes the origin point of the entire commission.
What sets this piece apart is not only its rarity but also its role in defining a final, state-approved presentation firearm. Every engraved surface, every matched component, and every design decision reflects an object that is evaluated at the highest level before formal adoption.
This is not simply an engraved Sphinx; it is a prototype of national significance, a bridge between concept and commission, preserved exactly as it was intended: complete, matched, and uncompromised.
A true museum-grade firearm, equally at home in a curated collection of historic presentation arms or among the finest examples of modern European gunmaking.
