SIG Sauer SP 47/8 “Pre-Series”
The SIG Sauer SP 47/8 “Pre-Series” pistols are rare examples of SIG’s early semi-automatic pistol craftsmanship. Produced in limited quantities, these models are partially handcrafted and exhibit unique features distinguishing them from later SP 47/8 variants. The attention to detail and innovative design in these pistols solidified SIG’s reputation for precision engineering.
Key Features of the Pre-Series
Hammer:
Fully milled at the back, unhardened, and lacks a safety notch.
Slide Release:
More robust than later versions, featuring a bluntly rounded pin axis.
Magazine:
Flat design with a broad-tapered magazine floor.
Cartridge pressure plate loosely mounted on the spring.
Bluing finish without fine polishing.
Barrel:
Short cartridge guide similar to Prototype 6028.
Engraved “6051” on the right and “7.65 PARAB.” deeply engraved on the left.
Trigger:
First-version design, mirroring Prototype 6028.
Slide:
Electro-engraved “6051” on the interior.
Lacks lubrication grooves on slide rails.
Rear locking lugs resemble Prototype 6028.
Frame:
Stamped “No. 51” at the rear.
Flat bottom with a straight rear.
Safety Lever:
Features a rounded exterior and thicker, higher profile.
Grip Panels:
Walnut construction with lacquered eighteen-groove design.
No sling loop; grooves milled post-lacquering.
Front Sight:
Reddish bluing with a set-back rear position.
Historical Context of the SP 47/8 Series
The SP 47/8 series marked SIG’s transition from prototype development to production pistols. Early models were distributed for private sales and as test models for police forces in Basel, Lausanne, and Glarus, as well as for Swedish sport shooters. These early examples laid the groundwork for the SP 47/8 to become an iconic model in SIG’s lineup.
Production and Distribution
- Serial Numbers: 6030–6060
- Production Quantity: 30 pieces
- Uses:
- Private sales in Switzerland.
- Test models for Swiss police and Swedish authorities.
Unique Characteristics
These early pistols were meticulously handcrafted, making each model slightly unique. They were primarily chambered in 7.65 mm Parabellum and featured design elements that would evolve in later production series.
Legacy
Collectors seek the SIG Sauer SP 47/8 “Pre-Series” models for their rarity and historical significance. Their handcrafted nature and prototype-inspired features glimpse SIG’s early engineering excellence, bridging the gap between prototype models and mass production.
This lineage continues to captivate enthusiasts, affirming the SP 47/8’s role in the evolution of modern semi-automatic pistols.
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 SP 47/8
1947 Pre-Series
- Weapon Number: 6033
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Action: 1st version SP 47/8, with loading indicator, polished, blued, still without grease nut, but with No. 6033 on the slide rail
- Grip Frame: 1st version SP 47/8
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilting barrel with cam and short cartridge feed ramp
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Steel, blued, single-row, flat base plate,
- Magazine capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: 1st version, sits freely in the grip frame, No. 33, hammer open at the rear, without safety notch
- Front Sight: Lug-mounted, SP 47/8
- Rear Sight: Lug-mounted, SP 47/8
- Grip Panels: Model 47, walnut grip panels with diagonally running grooves, without lanyard loop
Special Features:
Like the first prototype SP 47/8 6028, entire serial number range from 6029 to 6060.
SIG SP 47/8
1947 Pre-Series
- Weapon Number: 6051
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 7.65 mm Para
- Action: Steel, 1st version SP 47/8, with loading indicator, polished, blued, still without grease groove
- Grip Frame: Steel, 1st version SP 47/8, polished, blued
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilting barrel with cam and short cartridge feed ramp
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Glossy blued
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: 1st version, No. 51
- Front Sight: Lug-mounted, SP 47/8
- Rear Sight: Lug-mounted, SP 47/8
- Grip Panels: Wood with 18 straight grooves
Special Features:
- Thicker grip frame at the rear, without lanyard loop.
- Pre-series model with a large radius at the axis end.
- Hammer completely milled out at the rear.
- Safety lever shorter and thicker, without grooves on the outside.
- Magazine without guide grooves for feeder.
- 1st version, serial number range from 6029 to 6060.
SIG SP 47/8
1947
- Weapon Number: 6120
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Action: 1st version, with loading indicator, No. 6120 engraved before the grease groove
- Grip Frame: 1st version, steel, glossy blued, black
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, number and caliber engraved, short cartridge feed ramp
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: 1st version without grease groove
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: 1st version, No. 120, hammer open at the rear
- Front Sight: Lug-mounted, SP 47/8
- Rear Sight: Lug-mounted, U-shaped, SP 47/8
- Grip Panels: Wood with 18 straight grooves, without lanyard loop
Special Features:
- Flat slide stop with small radius at the axis end.
- Serial number range: 6061 to 6440.
SIG SP 47/8
1947/48
- Weapon Number: 6406
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 7.65 mm Para
- Action: 1st version, with loading indicator, polished, blued, grease groove, and full serial number
- Grip Frame: 1st version, polished, blued
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilting barrel with short cartridge feed ramp
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: 2nd version, single-row
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: 1st version, rear No. 406
- Front Sight: Lug-mounted, SP 47/8
- Rear Sight: Lug-mounted, SP 47/8
- Grip Panels: Walnut with grooves, without lanyard loop
Special Features:
- Hammer without safety notch, open at the rear.
- Magazine with flat top edge.
- Reddish blued finish.
- Serial number range: 6061 to 6440.
SIG SP 47/8
1947 Pre-Series
- Weapon Number: 6033
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Action: 1st version SP 47/8, with loading indicator, polished, blued, still without grease groove, but with No. 6033 on the slide rail
- Grip Frame: 1st version SP 47/8
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilting barrel with cam and short cartridge feed ramp
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Steel, blued, single-row, flat base plate
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: 1st version, sits freely in the grip frame, No. 33, hammer open at the rear, without safety notch
- Front Sight: Lug-mounted, SP 47/8
- Rear Sight: Lug-mounted, SP 47/8
- Grip Panels: Model 47, walnut grip panels with diagonally running grooves, without lanyard loop
Special Features:
Like the first prototype SP 47/8 6028, entire serial number range from 6029 to 6060.
SIG SP 47/8
1947 Pre-Series
- Weapon Number: 6051
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 7.65 mm Para
- Action: Steel, 1st version SP 47/8, with loading indicator, polished, blued, still without grease groove
- Grip Frame: Steel, 1st version SP 47/8, polished, blued
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilting barrel with cam and short cartridge feed ramp
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Glossy blued
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: 1st version, No. 51
- Front Sight: Lug-mounted, SP 47/8
- Rear Sight: Lug-mounted, SP 47/8
- Grip Panels: Wood with 18 straight grooves
Special Features:
- Thicker grip frame at the rear, without lanyard loop.
- Pre-series model with a large radius at the axis end.
- Hammer completely milled out at the rear.
- Safety lever shorter and thicker, without grooves on the outside.
- Magazine without guide grooves for feeder.
- 1st version, serial number range from 6029 to 6060.
SIG SP 47/8
1947
- Weapon Number: 6120
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Action: 1st version, with loading indicator, No. 6120 engraved before the grease groove
- Grip Frame: 1st version, steel, glossy blued, black
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, number and caliber engraved, short cartridge feed ramp
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: 1st version without grease groove
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: 1st version, No. 120, hammer open at the rear
- Front Sight: Lug-mounted, SP 47/8
- Rear Sight: Lug-mounted, U-shaped, SP 47/8
- Grip Panels: Wood with 18 straight grooves, without lanyard loop
Special Features:
- Flat slide stop with a small radius at the axis end.
- Serial number range: 6061 to 6440.
SIG SP 47/8
1947/48
- Weapon Number: 6406
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 7.65 mm Para
- Action: 1st version, with loading indicator, polished, blued, grease groove, and full serial number
- Grip Frame: 1st version, polished, blued
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilting barrel with short cartridge feed ramp
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: 2nd version, single-row
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: 1st version, rear No. 406
- Front Sight: Lug-mounted, SP 47/8
- Rear Sight: Lug-mounted, SP 47/8
- Grip Panels: Walnut with grooves, without lanyard loop
Special Features:
- Hammer without safety notch, open at the rear.
- Magazine with flat top edge.
- Reddish blued finish.
- Serial number range: 6061 to 6440.
SIG SP 47/8 “Kuba”
Double Number with SP 47/8, 1947/48
- Weapon Number: 6459
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Action: 1st version, with loading indicator, Swiss crest, curved slide stop
- Grip Frame: 2nd version, sandblasted
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilting barrel
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: 2nd version, blued, polished
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: 1st version, rear stamped No. 6459
- Front Sight: Lug-mounted, Ordnance
- Rear Sight: Lug-mounted, Ordnance
- Grip Panels: Syntrogen, without lanyard loop
Special Features:
- The remaining stock of the Federal Border Guard (also known as the so-called “Kuba model”).
- Serial number range: 6442 to 6500.
SIG SP 47/8 “Kuba”
Double Number with SP 47/8, 1947/48
- Weapon Number: 6482
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Action: 1st version, with loading indicator, Swiss crest, curved slide stop
- Grip Frame: 2nd version, sandblasted
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilting barrel
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: 2nd version, blued, polished
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: 1st version, rear stamped No. 6482
- Front Sight: Lug-mounted, Ordnance
- Rear Sight: Lug-mounted, Ordnance
- Grip Panels: Syntrogen, without lanyard loop
Special Features:
- Remaining stock of the Federal Border Guard (mistakenly referred to as the so-called “Kuba model”).
- Serial number range: 6442 to 6500.
SIG SP 47/8 “Kuba”
Double Number with SP 47/8, 1947/48
- Weapon Number: 6482
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Action: 1st version, with loading indicator, Swiss crest, curved slide stop
- Grip Frame: 2nd version, sandblasted
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilting barrel
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: 2nd version, blued, polished
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: 1st version, rear stamped No. 6482
- Front Sight: Lug-mounted, Ordnance
- Rear Sight: Lug-mounted, Ordnance
- Grip Panels: Syntrogen, without lanyard loop
Special Features:
- Remaining stock of the Federal Border Guard (mistakenly referred to as the so-called “Kuba model”).
- Serial number range: 6442 to 6500.
SIG SP 47/8
1947/48
- Weapon Number: 6520
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Action: 1st version, polished, blued, slide rail with grease groove, No. 6520 engraved
- Grip Frame: 1st version, polished, reddish blued
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilting barrel with short cartridge feed ramp
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: 2nd version, polished, blued
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: 1st version, No. 520, hammer open at the rear without cross bridge and without safety notch
- Front Sight: Lug-mounted, SP 47/8
- Rear Sight: Lug-mounted, SP 47/8
- Grip Panels: Wood with 18 horizontal grooves, without lanyard loop
Special Features:
- This pistol was returned to Switzerland from England and bears the English proof marks “BNP” with crown and “9 mm-752” (Birmingham Proof House).
- Serial number range: 6441 to 6540.
SIG SP 47/8
1947/48
- Weapon Number: 6540
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Lock: 1st version, SP 47/8, steel, loading indicator, polished, blued, grease groove on slide rails, and complete serial number
- Grip Frame: 1st version, steel, polished, blued
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilt-barrel with short chamber
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right, 250 mm
- Magazine: 2nd version, single-row
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds, two ejectors
- Lock: 1st version, rear, number 540
- Front Sight: Attached, SP 47/8
- Rear Sight: Attached, SP 47/8
- Grip Panels: Walnut with grooves, without lanyard loop
Special Features:
Hammer without safety notch, open at the back. Serial number range 6441 to 6540.
SIG SP 47/8
1947/48
- Weapon Number: 6591
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 7.65 mm and 9 mm Para (interchangeable barrels)
- Lock: 1st version SP 47/8, loading indicator, blued, with serial number and grease groove on the slide rails
- Grip Frame: 1st version SP 47/8, reddish coloration
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilt-barrel, long chamber (both barrels)
- Number of Grooves: Four (7.65 mm), six (9 mm)
- Twist: Right, 250 mm
- Magazine: Polished, blued
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: 1st version, SP 47/8 with number 591 on the rear
- Front Sight: Attached, SP 47/8
- Rear Sight: Attached, SP 47/8
- Grip Panels: Walnut with grooves, with lanyard loop
Special Features:
Hammer without safety notch (2nd version with intermediate webbing), interchangeable 9 mm barrel with matching serial number, proof mark applied. Serial numbers range from 6541 to 6862.
SIG SP 47/8
1947/48
- Weapon Number: 6592
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 7.65 mm and 9 mm Para (interchangeable barrels)
- Lock: 1st version, loading indicator, with serial number and grease groove on the slide rails
- Grip Frame: 1st version, SP 47/8
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilt-barrel
- Number of Grooves: Four (7.65 mm), six (9 mm)
- Twist: Right, 250 mm
- Magazine: 1st version, polished, blued
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: 1st version, SP 47/8 with number 592 on the rear
- Front Sight: Attached, SP 47/8
- Rear Sight: Attached
- Grip Panels: Walnut with grooves, with lanyard loop
Special Features:
Structurally identical to number 6591, proof mark on the left side of the grip frame. Serial number range 6541 to 6862.
SIG SP 47/8
1947/48
- Weapon Number: 6593
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 7.65 mm Para
- Lock: 1st version, steel with loading indicator, with serial number and grease groove on the slide rails
- Grip Frame: 1st version, SP 47/8
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilt-barrel with long chamber
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right, 250 mm
- Magazine: 2nd version, blued
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: 1st version, SP 47/8 with number 593 on the rear
- Front Sight: Attached, SP 47/8
- Rear Sight: Attached, SP 47/8
- Grip Panels: Walnut with grooves, without lanyard loop
Special Features:
This pistol is part of the pistol pair SP 47/8 Nos. 6591 and 6592 but differs from the first two pistols by the absence of the lanyard loop. Its serial numbers range from 6541 to 6862. It is without a proof mark.
SIG SP 47/8
1947/48
- Weapon Number: 6837
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Lock: 1st version, SP 47/8, without grease groove, with loading indicator
- Grip Frame: 1st version, polished, blued, proof mark applied
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilt-barrel
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right, 250 mm
- Magazine: Polished, blued
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: 1st version, number 837 (last three digits of the weapon number) engraved
- Front Sight: 1st version, SP 47/8, attached
- Rear Sight: Attached, SP 47/8
- Grip Panels: Walnut with grooves, without lanyard loop
Special Features:
This pistol, from the serial number range 6791 to 6840, was issued to the police in Basel. Hammer without safety notch, lock without Swiss coat of arms, lock marked “SP 47/8.” Proof mark applied to the left side of the grip frame.
SIG SP 47/8
Prototype, 1949–1952
- Weapon Number: 7005
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Lock: 1st or possibly 2nd version, polished, blued, with loading indicator
- Grip Frame: 1st version, polished, blued
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilt-barrel
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right, 250 mm
- Magazine: Polished, plain
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: 1st version, last three digits of weapon number (005) engraved
- Front Sight: Attached, SP 47/8
- Rear Sight: Attached, SP 47/8
- Grip Panels: Wooden grip with grooves, with lanyard loop
Special Features:
This pistol, with serial numbers 7001 to 7016, 7018, and 7019, was made available for testing purposes to the military shooting school in Walenstadt. It is produced in caliber 9 mm Para.
SIG SP 47/8
Prototype, 1949–1952
- Weapon Number: 7014
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Lock: 1st version, without loading indicator
- Grip Frame: 1st version, reddish bluing
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilt-barrel
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right, 250 mm
- Magazine: Polished, blued
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: 1st version, full number 7014 engraved on the rear
- Front Sight: Attached, standard (military)
- Rear Sight: Attached, standard (military)
- Grip Panels: Wood with lanyard loop
Special Features:
Prototype series, hammer without safety notch, Model 2, blued lock, grip frame with reddish bluing, without proof mark. Serial number range 7001 to 7016 in 9 mm caliber, and 7018 and 7019 in 9 mm Para caliber.
SIG SP 47/8
Duplicate Number
- Weapon Number: 7015
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Lock: 2nd version, polished, blued, without loading indicator, no grease groove
- Grip Frame: 1st version, polished, blued
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilt-barrel
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right, 250 mm
- Magazine: Polished, blued
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: 1st version, without number
- Front Sight: Attached, standard (military)
- Rear Sight: Attached, standard (military)
- Grip Panels: Walnut with diagonally running grooves, with lanyard loop
Special Features:
Very few grip panels of this type were produced. This pistol is an original production by SIG, with a matching number to the adjacent pistol No. 7015. Serial numbers range from 7001 to 7030. In the SIG book by H. P. Döbeli, page 11, a forgery in the serial number 7001–7050 is discussed. Only serial numbers 7001–7016, 7018, and 7019 were produced in 9 mm Para caliber; all others were made in caliber .22 LR.
SIG SP 47/8
Duplicate Number
- Weapon Number: 7015
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Lock: 1st version, polished, blued, without loading indicator, no grease groove
- Grip Frame: 1st version, polished, blued
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilt-barrel
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right, 250 mm
- Magazine: Polished, blued
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: 1st version, without number
- Front Sight: Attached, standard (military)
- Rear Sight: Attached, standard (military)
- Grip Panels: Walnut with longitudinal grooves, with lanyard loop
Special Features:
This pistol also bears the number 7015. It may have been assembled later by SIG and marked again with the number 7015. Serial number range 7001 to 7030. In the SIG book by H. P. Döbeli, page 11, a forgery in the serial number range 7000 to 7030 is mentioned—possibly referring to these pistols?
SIG P 210-S
Prototype for the Swedish Army Administration, 1961/62
- Weapon Number: P 59700
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Lock: 2nd version, sandblasted, blued
- Grip Frame: 2nd version, sandblasted, blued
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilt-barrel, milled in front of the guide curve
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right, 250 mm
- Magazine: Sandblasted, blued
- Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
- Lock: 3rd version with short guide, full number 59700 engraved
- Front Sight: Attached, standard (military)
- Rear Sight: Attached, standard (military)
- Grip Panels: Plastic grip panels
Special Features:
A special lock housing with a short guide, a special slide stop with milling on the axis, and a safety lever bent from sheet metal are also included.
