Honorary SIG Gift Pistols
Specifications and Features of SIG Pistols
SIG pistols are globally renowned for their precision, craftsmanship, and enduring legacy in both military and civilian applications. Each model reflects SIG Sauer’s dedication to performance and quality. Below is an overview of key specifications for two of the most iconic SIG pistols:
SIG P210 (Pistol 49)
- Caliber: 9mm
- Action: Single-action
- Construction: Precision-machined steel frame and slide
- Sights: Adjustable target sights or fixed sights, depending on the variant
- Finish: Blued or parkerized
- Grip: Wood or polymer options, with certain models featuring unique engravings for special events
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Usage: Military service pistol for the Swiss Army, widely acclaimed in competitive shooting and civilian markets
SIG P220 (Pistol 75)
- Caliber: .45 ACP (with variants in 9mm and .38 Super)
- Action: Single/double-action
- Construction: Lightweight alloy or stainless steel frame
- Sights: Fixed or adjustable night sights
- Finish: Nitron or stainless steel
- Grip: Ergonomic polymer or custom wood options
- Magazine Capacity: 8 to 10 rounds
- Usage: Military service pistol for the Swiss Army, widely adopted for law enforcement and civilian defense
Specifications and Features of SIG Pistols
The SIG P210, known in military circles as the Pistol 49, holds a revered place in Swiss shooting culture. As a gesture of recognition, the Swiss Federal Department of Defense, Civil Protection, and Sports (EMD) has historically awarded the P210 as an honorary gift to winners of major shooting events.
Each honorary pistol is accompanied by a donor’s certificate, ensuring its authenticity as an official EMD gift. While engravings on these firearms add a layer of distinction, they do not necessarily confirm their honorary status without the certificate.
From January 1, 1986, military pistols began to bear a prominent “P” stamp near the trigger guard, signifying privatization:
- Pistol 49 (P210): Stamped on the left side of the trigger guard
- Pistol 75 (P220): Stamped on the right side behind the trigger guard
Notable Honorary Gift Stories
- Federal Shooting Festival (1963): ESSO-Switzerland donated a SIG P210-1 (Serial No. P 56046) with an engraved silver plate on the grip.
- Cantonal Shooting Festival (1965): SIG Neuhausen presented a SIG P210-1 (Serial No. P 57271) to Schaffhausen marksman Jules Hintermüller, featuring a personalized engraving.
- Federal Shooting Festival (1990): Swiss Accident Insurance awarded a SIG P210-2 (Serial No. P 305979) with the engraving “SPECIAL GIFT” above the grip.
The tradition of awarding SIG pistols as honorary gifts underscores the brand’s historic connection to excellence, precision, and the art of marksmanship. Whether in competition or collection, these firearms symbolize the pinnacle of Swiss craftsmanship.
The Specs and information on the different gun models listed below are based on Das Grosse Buch der SIG-Pistolen, “The Big Book of SIG Pistols,” by Lorenz Vetter.
Honorary Gift from EMD
Swiss Federal Shooting Festival Pistol 49
- Weapon Number: A 120289
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Breech Mechanism: 2nd version, sandblasted, flat version, A 120289, (P)
- Grip Frame: 2nd version, sandblasted, blued, A 120289 (crown stamp)
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilting barrel
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist Rate: Right, 250 mm
- Magazine: Polished, blued
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock Mechanism: New version, 20289 stamped, hammer with safety notch
- Front Sight: Mounted, ordinance type
- Rear Sight: Mounted, ordinance type
- Grip Panels: Black plastic, with lanyard loop
Special Features:
Honorary gift from EMD, Swiss Federal Shooting Festival in Thun, 1969, 1st Prize. (P) marking behind the number on the grip frame. Winner: Karl Huber, Fahrni. Proof that EMD donated a pistol as a gift is only established with the attached confirmation. Engravings, etc., will be applied later and are not a guarantee for a federal gift!
Honorary Gift from EMD
Swiss Federal Shooting Festival 1969 Pistol 49
- Weapon Number: A 166501
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Breech Mechanism: New version, sandblasted, blued, A 166501, (P)-marked, SIG logo
- Grip Frame: Sandblasted, blued, left side A 166501, (P) and (crown stamp)-marked
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilting barrel
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist Rate: Right, 250 mm
- Magazine: Sandblasted, blued
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock Mechanism: New version, stamped 66501
- Front Sight: Mounted, ordinance type’
- Rear Sight: Mounted, ordinance type
- Grip Panels: Black plastic, with lanyard loop
Special Features:
Rotatable retaining ring behind the magazine.
Honorary Gift from EMD
Sempach Shooting 1985 Pistol 49
- Weapon Number: A 204685
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Breech Mechanism: 2nd version, sandblasted, blued, A 204685, (P)-marked
- Grip Frame: 2nd version, sandblasted, blued, A 204685 (crown stamp)
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilting barrel
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist Rate: Right, 250 mm
- Magazine: Sandblasted, blued
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock Mechanism: New version
- Front Sight: Mounted, ordinance type
- Rear Sight: Mounted, ordinance type
- Grip Panels: Plastic, with lanyard loop
Special Features:
Honorary gift from EMD at the Sempach Shooting in 1985, 50 meters, 1st place. Mr. Bösch, Zürich. This EMD honorary gift was the last time a Pistol 49 was awarded.
Honorary Gift ESSO Switzerland
Swiss Federal Shooting Festival 1963, P 210-1
- Weapon Number: P 56046
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para and 7.65 mm Para (interchangeable barrel)
- Breech Mechanism: 2nd version, polished, blued
- Grip Frame: 2nd version, large radius
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilting barrel (both barrels)
- Number of Grooves: Six/four grooves
- Twist Rate: Right, 250 mm
- Magazine: Blued
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock Mechanism: 2nd version
- Front Sight: Mounted, ordinance type
- Rear Sight: Mounted, ordinance type
- Grip Panels: Walnut grip panels with engraved silver plate on the right grip panel, with lanyard loop
Honorary Gift SIG,
Cantonal Shooting Festival Schaffhausen 1965, P 210-1
- Weapon Number: P 57271
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Breech Mechanism: 2nd version, blued
- Grip Frame: 2nd version, large radius, (P)-stamped
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilting barrel
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist Rate: Right, 250 mm
- Magazine: Blued
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock Mechanism: 2nd version
- Front Sight: Mounted, ordinance type
- Rear Sight: Mounted, ordinance type
- Grip Panels: Wooden grip panels with grooves, lanyard loop
Special Features:
Engraved on the right side of the grip frame: Winner shooter Mr. Jules Hintermüller, Schaffhausen.
Honorary Gift Switzerland
Accident Insurance Swiss Federal Shooting Festival 1990, P 210-2
- Weapon Number: P 305979
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Breech Mechanism: Sandblasted, blued, with Swiss coat of arms
- Grip Frame: Sandblasted, blued
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilting barrel
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist Rate: Right, 250 mm
- Magazine: New version (pressed at the rear)
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock Mechanism: 2nd version
- Front Sight: Mounted, ordinance type
- Rear Sight: Mounted, ordinance type
- Grip Panels: Oiled wooden grip panels, checkered
Special Features:
Honorary gift for 1st place to Hans Ehrat, Schaffhausen. Inscription on the right side of the grip frame: Accident Insurance Switzerland. Swiss Federal Shooting Festival 1990 Winterthur; left side above the grip panels: SPECIAL GIFT.
SIG P 210-6 (mont. KK-System)
Winning Weapon at the Swiss Federal Shooting Festival in Winterthur 1990
- Weapon Number: P 81422
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: .22 LR (5.6 mm)
- Breech Mechanism: Sandblasted, blued
- Grip Frame: P 210-6, sandblasted, blued
- Barrel Length: 150 mm
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist Rate: Right, 450 mm
- Magazine: Polished, blued, latest version, KK-System P 210
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock Mechanism: Sports lock P 210-6, screwed in at the rear special sports hammer
- Front Sight: Sports sight on sight saddle
- Rear Sight: Micrometer sight No. 47736 with specially wide sight plate
- Grip Panels: Special sport wooden grip panels
Special Features:
With the above SIG pistol, Mr. Hans Ehrat became the winner at the Swiss Federal Shooting Festival in Winterthur 1990. He achieved 1st place in the Veterans Match on the 100-meter target. Five shots resulted in a total of 474 out of a possible 500 points.
