SIG Anniversary Pistols
Celebrating Legacy Through Precision
SIG’s tradition of producing anniversary pistols is a testament to the company’s commitment to excellence and its storied history in firearm innovation. Each commemorative firearm not only marks a milestone but also showcases the meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail that define SIG’s reputation among firearm enthusiasts and collectors. Let’s explore the timeline and unique characteristics of these iconic pistols.
JP 210 Anniversary Pistol (1978)
The JP 210 was the inaugural anniversary model, introduced to celebrate SIG’s 125th anniversary (1853-1978). This limited-edition pistol, capped at 500 units, stands out for its exclusivity and represents SIG’s early contributions to precision firearm engineering.
JP 220 Anniversary Pistol (1979)
Released to meet the overwhelming demand following the success of the JP 210, the JP 220 provided collectors and enthusiasts with an alternative anniversary model. Limited to 2,000 units, this pistol came in two distinct slide variants:
- Variant 1: Rounded side profile
- Variant 2: Beveled side profile
The JP 220 reinforced SIG’s commitment to offering precision and elegance in collectible firearms.
JP 226 Anniversary Pistol (1985)
Celebrating 125 years of SIG arms production (1860–1985), the JP 226 expanded SIG’s commemorative series. Limited to 3,000 pistols, this model became a staple for collectors, offering both historical significance and the performance excellence associated with SIG.
JP 210 Anniversary Pistol (1991)
To honor the 700th anniversary of the Swiss Confederation, SIG released a special edition of the JP 210 in 1991. This stunning model featured a royal blue finish paired with gold-plated controls and was limited to 2,000 units.
- Variant 1 (1991–1992): Old barrel with rounded muzzle end
- Variant 2 (from 1993): New barrel with a straight-surfaced muzzle
This anniversary pistol not only celebrated Switzerland’s history but also reflected SIG’s dedication to timeless design.
JP 210 Canton Anniversary Pistol (1995/96)
SIG marked this special anniversary with a unique release, producing only 200 pistols to represent the Canton Anniversary. Each unit was tailored in varying quantities to align with the sizes of Switzerland’s cantons, making it one of the rarest and most regionally significant SIG collectibles.
SIG Anniversary Pistols: A Collector’s Dream
Each anniversary pistol carries a piece of SIG’s legacy, combining superior craftsmanship with historical significance. From the iconic JP 210 to the ultra-rare Canton edition, these firearms offer more than just function—they tell a story of innovation, heritage, and an unwavering commitment to quality. Whether you’re an avid collector or a firearms aficionado, SIG Anniversary Pistols are milestones worth celebrating.
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.
SIG JP 210, 1978
- Weapon Number: JP 178
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Slide: Polished, blued; right side marked “JP 178” and the Swiss coat of arms in gold on the top; left side marked “125 Jahre SIG 1853–1978”
- Frame: Blued; right side marked “JP 178,” left side marked “125 Jahre SIG 1853–1978”
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilting barrel
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist Rate: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Polished, unmarked
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Locking Mechanism: 2nd version, standard lock
- Front Sight: Loop-mounted, ordinance style
- Rear Sight: Loop-mounted, ordinance style
- Grip Panels: Wooden grip panels, carved, oiled, without lanyard loop
Special Features:
The first anniversary pistol by SIG, the P 210, commemorates SIG’s 125th anniversary. The trigger, slide release, safety lever, and hammer are gold-plated.
SIG JP 220, 1979, Variant 1
- Weapon Number: JP 222
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG-Sauer
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Slide: Sandblasted, blued, with rounded side profile
- Frame: Sandblasted, blued
- Barrel Length: 110 mm
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist Rate: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Blued
- Magazine Capacity: 9 rounds
- Front Sight: Block front sight with a white dot, loop-mounted
- Rear Sight: Block rear sight with a white stripe, loop-mounted
- Grip Panels: Wooden grip panels, carved
Special Features:
The right side of the slide is engraved with “P 220 Montage Suisse,” while the left side is engraved with “SIG/SAUER 125 Jahre SIG 1853–1978” in gold. The trigger, safety lever, decocking lever, and hammer are gold-plated. This is the first variant with a rounded side profile on the slide.
SIG JP 220, 1979, Variant 2
- Weapon Number: JP 279
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG-Sauer
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Slide: Sandblasted, blued, with beveled side profile
- Frame: Sandblasted, blued
- Barrel Length: 110 mm
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist Rate: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Blued
- Magazine Capacity: 9 rounds
- Front Sight: Block front sight with a white dot, loop-mounted
- Rear Sight: Block rear sight with a white stripe, loop-mounted
- Grip Panels: Wooden grip panels, carved
Special Features:
The right side of the slide is engraved with “P 220 Montage Suisse,” and the left side is engraved with “SIG/SAUER 125 Jahre SIG 1853–1978” in gold. The trigger, safety lever, decocking lever, and hammer are gold-plated. The second variant is recognizable by the milled edge on the slide.
SIG JP 226, 1985
- Weapon Number: JP 0279
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG-Sauer
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Slide: Sandblasted, blued
- Frame: Sandblasted, blued
- Barrel Length: 110 mm
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist Rate: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Blued
- Magazine Capacity: 15 rounds
- Front Sight: Block front sight without a dot, loop-mounted
- Rear Sight: Block rear sight without a stripe, loop-mounted
- Grip Panels: Wooden grip panels, carved
Special Features:
The right side of the slide is engraved with “SIG-SAUER JP 226,” and below it is “JP 0279.” The left side is engraved with “125 Jahre SIG Waffen 1860–1985” in gold. The trigger, slide release, decocking lever, hammer, and magazine release button are gold-plated.
SIG JP 210
700 Years of the Swiss Confederation, 1991
- Weapon Number: 0178
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Slide: Steel, blued, “0178” engraved in gold
- Frame: Steel, blued, with gold embellishments “1291–1991”
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilting barrel, barrel of the old P 210 design with “⛨” marking
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist Rate: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Polished, blued base
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Locking Mechanism: 2nd version, standard lock, free-standing, blued externally
- Front Sight: Loop-mounted, ordinance style
- Rear Sight: Loop-mounted, ordinance style
- Grip Panels: Special white grip panels with an inset Swiss coat of arms, no lanyard loop
Special Features:
The right side of the slide is engraved with “0178” in gold. Above the front sight, the initials “CH” are engraved in gold. The right side of the frame is engraved with “Confoederatio Helvetica 0178,” and the left side is marked “1291, Swiss coat of arms, 1991,” all framed in gold. The safety/decocking lever is also gold-plated, with “S/F” engraved in gold on the rear top of the slide.
SIG JP 210
700 Years of the Swiss Confederation, 1991
Contiuned:
The insignia, slide release, trigger, safety lever, and hammer are matte gold-plated (18 karat). The pistol is delivered in a walnut wood case with a blue anodized plate featuring gold lettering by SIG. Serial number range 0001–2000. Variant 1 features a traditional barrel. Variant 2, from 1993 onward, includes a new barrel with an angular design. Serial numbers range from 0001 to 2000.
SIG Proposal: JP 210 700 Years of the Swiss Confederation 1291–1991, specifically for the USA
For each state in the USA, SIG planned to produce a special JP 210-700 Years of the Swiss Confederation 1291–1991 edition. However, the U.S. subsidiary (SIGARMS USA) rejected and declined this original proposal, reasoning that there was no demand for such a product in America. As a result, only the experimental proposal depicted below remained.
SIG JP 210
Prototype Canton-Special Edition, 1995
- Weapon Number: Not yet assigned
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Slide: Steel, blued using a special process, with gold inscriptions
- Frame: Steel, blued using a special process, with gold inscriptions
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilting barrel, new angular barrel design
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist Rate: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Bluing on the magazine base, magazine body polished
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Locking Mechanism: Bluing applied, free-floating within the frame
- Front Sight: Loop-mounted, ordinance style
- Rear Sight: Loop-mounted, ordinance style
- Grip Panels: Special grip panels featuring the Aargau canton coat of arms
Special Features:
According to SIG, only 200 units of this anniversary pistol were planned for production. The first examples were expected to be delivered no earlier than spring 1996.
SIG P 210, J.P. 178 Sempach, 1986
- Weapon Number: P 310178
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG, completed by the company Boller Waffen, Sempach
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Slide: Black, finely polished, with the Swiss coat of arms in gold on the top, and SIG insignia in gold on the left side
- Frame: Black, finely polished
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilting barrel
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist Rate: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Sandblasted, blued
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Locking Mechanism: 2nd version, standard lock
- Front Sight: Loop-mounted, ordinance style
- Rear Sight: Loop-mounted, ordinance style
- Grip Panels: Flat wooden grip panels, lacquered, left panel features a coat of arms with a lion, no lanyard loop
Special Features:
The right side of the slide is engraved with “P 310” in black and “178” in gold. The left side features the SIG insignia in gold and the text “600 Jahre Schlacht bei Sempach 1386–1986” in gold. The frame bears “J.P. 178” in gold and “P 310” in black. The trigger, slide release, safety lever, hammer, and magazine release are gold-plated. Not an official SIG model.