SIG Cutaway Models SP 47/8 - P210
Specifications and Legacy
SIG Sauer’s cutaway models stand as a fascinating testament to the brand’s commitment to engineering, even in their use of discarded or defective parts. These unique firearms, produced between 1949 and 1987, were designed for various purposes, including military, police, and private collectors. The meticulous craftsmanship and blending of parts from different stages of production make these pistols highly sought-after by enthusiasts and collectors alike.
Specifications of SIG Cutaway Models
Construction and Parts:
Cutaway pistols were exclusively built using parts labeled as “discarded” or “defective” during production. For defective industrial parts, “A” signified rejection, yet in cutaway models, these components were ingeniously repurposed. Components from different production stages or even models were integrated, such as an SP 47/8 slide mounted on a P 210-6 frame.
Design Variations:
Each cutaway pistol was a blend of unique features, showcasing the versatility of SIG’s engineering. For instance:
- SP 47/8 Cutaway Model (1948): Marked externally and internally with serial number 0056, making it the earliest known cutaway pistol.
- P 210-6 Series (1984/85): Manufactured for private buyers, this series included pistols with serial numbers P 98666 to P 98675 and P 98689.
- P 210-5 Special Series (1987): Produced using advanced, fully automated machine tools and equipped with a 150mm barrel.
Historical Highlights and Serial Number Allocations
- Military and Police Distribution (1949–1955)
- Serial numbers 6866–6869 were delivered to the KTA in Bern in 1949–1950.
- Serial numbers 6875–6886 were supplied to the Danish army in 1951.
- Police models, labeled Type “D,” with serial numbers 6887–6891, followed in the same year.
- Swiss Federal Control Deliveries (1954–1955)
- Serial numbers 6902–6907 (Type “AR 2”) and 6912–6917 (Type “AR 2”) were delivered to the Swiss Federal Weapons Control in Bern.
- Private Sales (1977 and Later)
- Serial numbers 85901–85920 (marked “P”) began private sales in 1977.
- Another private buyer series included serial numbers 70054–70083, sold through gun shops.
- Special Series for Collectors (1984–1987)
- The P 210-6 cutaway series and the P 210-5 models stand out for their rarity and design precision.
Legacy of SIG Cutaway Models
These pistols serve not only as tools for training and demonstration but also as examples of SIG’s ingenuity in reimagining discarded parts. From the earliest SP 47/8 model to the final cutaway P 210-5 with serial number P 98800, manufactured in 1987, these firearms have etched their place in SIG’s storied history. Collectors value them for their rarity, craftsmanship, and the intriguing stories they tell about SIG’s production era.
Whether for the army, police, or private collectors, SIG’s cutaway models remain a unique intersection of utility and artistry, showcasing the brand’s dedication to innovation even in unconventional circumstances.
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.
Cutaway Model SP 47/8
Experimental Model, 1947
- Weapon Number: External none, internal 0056, on the grip frame
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Breech: First version, flat at the front, reddish-brown blued; left side marked “47/8,” with a loading indicator and lubrication groove, no firing pin plate yet
- Grip Frame: First version, with thin lanyard loop and large radius, open, internal 0056
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilting barrel with feed ramp, shorter curve at the chamber
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Polished, plain
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: First version, 0056, with exposed hammer, without bridge and without safety notch
- Front Sight: Slotted in, SP 47/8
- Rear Sight: Slotted in, SP 47/8
- Grip Panels: Wooden grip panels with grooves, lanyard loop
Special Features:
Slide assembly, first version with lubrication groove. Pistol from the very first production series of the SP 47/8 with a loading indicator, flat slide stop, and rounded safety lever. The cutaway areas are painted red.
Cutaway Model SP 47/8
Type AR 2
- Weapon Number: 6914
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Breech: Second version, sandblasted, blued, no loading indicator, flat slide lever
- Grip Frame: Second version, sandblasted, blued, flat safety lever
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilting barrel, long feed ramp
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Plain, brushed
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: First version, number 6914 stamped on the back
- Front Sight: Slotted in, ordinance style
- Rear Sight: Slotted in, ordinance style
- Grip Panels: Plastic, with lanyard loop
Special Features:
Milled cutouts, red painted cutaway areas.
Cutaway Model SP 47/8
Type “D”, 1951
- Weapon Number: 6890
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Breech: First version SP 47/8, sandblasted, blued, with loading indicator, flat slide lever, right side marked “6890”
- Grip Frame: First version, sandblasted, blued, grooved safety lever, right side marked “6890”
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilting barrel, long feed ramp
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Plain, brushed
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: First version, number “6890” stamped on the back
- Front Sight: Slotted in, ordinance style
- Rear Sight: Slotted in, ordinance style
- Grip Panels: Plastic, without lanyard loop
Special Features:
Milled cutouts, red painted cutaway areas Series of five pieces, numbered 6887 to 6891. Markings on the breech, left side: “SIG”; markings on the grip frame, left side: “SP 47/8 D.”
Cutaway Model SP 47/8
Type A, 1951
- Weapon Number: None
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Breech: Second version, Swiss coat of arms, with loading indicator
- Grip Frame: Second version
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilting barrel
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Sandblasted, blued
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: First version, without number
- Front Sight: Slotted in, ordinance style
- Rear Sight: Slotted in, ordinance style
- Grip Panels: Plastic, with lanyard loop
Special Features:
- Red painted cutaway areas.
- Markings on the breech, left side: “SIG”;
- Markings on the grip frame, left side: “SP 47/8 A.”
- Surface is blued and sandblasted.
Cutaway Model P 210-2, 1971
- Weapon Number: 70054
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Breech: Second version, left side with SIG logo, Swiss coat of arms on top
- Grip Frame: Second version, blued and sandblasted
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilting barrel
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Sandblasted, blued
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: Second version, complete number “70054” engraved
- Front Sight: Slotted in, ordinance style
- Rear Sight: Slotted in, ordinance style
- Grip Panels: Black plastic, with lanyard loop
Special Features:
This cutaway pistol was mistakenly delivered to the EMD (Swiss Federal Military Department). The number “70054” on the right side of the breech is offset slightly compared to the grip frame. Breech lever and safety lever have grooves (second version).
Red painted cutaway areas.
30-piece series, numbered 70054 to 70083.
Cutaway Model P 210-2, 1977
- Weapon Number: P 85905
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Breech: Second version, sandblasted, blued. Right side marked “P 85905” and Swiss coat of arms; left side marked with SIG logo.
- Grip Frame: Second version, sandblasted, blued.
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilting barrel
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Sandblasted, blued
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: Second version, “905” engraved
- Front Sight: Slotted in, ordinance style
- Rear Sight: Slotted in, ordinance style
- Grip Panels: Black plastic, with lanyard loop
Special Features:
Red painted cutaway areas.
20-piece series numbered P 85901 to P 85920, manufactured in 1977, sold privately.
Cutaway Model P 210-6, 1984/85
- Weapon Number: P 98689
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Breech: First version, sandblasted, blued, with loading indicator, tapered at the front
- Grip Frame: Second version, sandblasted, blued
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilting barrel
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Sandblasted, blued
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: Sports lock, screwed on the back
- Front Sight: Slotted in, ordinance style
- Rear Sight: Slotted in, ordinance style
- Grip Panels: Black plastic, with lanyard loop
Special Features:
Old breech, right side marked “P 98689” and small Swiss coat of arms on top, left side with small SIG logo, with loading indicator.
Sports trigger with trigger stop, grip frame with new profile.
Red painted cutaway areas.
Cutaway Model P 210-5, 1987
- Weapon Number: P 98800
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG]
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Breech: Latest version, sandblasted, blued, right side marked “P 98800”
- Grip Frame: Latest P 210-5, sandblasted, reddish blued, right side marked “P 98800”
- Barrel Length and Type: 150 mm, tilting barrel
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Sandblasted, blued
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: Second version, reddish blued, screwed on the back
- Front Sight: Sport-style front sight, slotted on a sight saddle
- Rear Sight: Micro sight No. 88, slotted
- Grip Panels: Black plastic, with lanyard loop
Special Features:
Grip frame of the latest machine production, front with grooves, left side with SIG logo, version P 210-5 (150-mm barrel).
