SIG Swiss Army Pistol Specifications
An Enthusiast’s Perspective
The Swiss Army Pistol, formally designated as the Pistol 49, is a legendary sidearm synonymous with precision and reliability. Officially adopted on October 14, 1948, it became the standard issue 9mm Para pistol of the Swiss Army after rigorous testing by the War Technology Department. Based on the SIG SP 47/8, the Pistol 49 remains an icon in military firearm history.
Key Historical Milestones
Adoption and Production:
In November 1948, SIG received its first delivery order, leading to the production of 3,200 pistols delivered in September 1949. These initial pistols, bearing serial numbers A 100001 to A 103200, were finely blued with walnut grip panels and featured no safety catch. Front sight heights varied between 5.1–5.9 mm, ensuring exceptional accuracy with test-fired six-shot groups consistently hitting the black at 50 meters.
Subsequent Deliveries:
The second, third, and fourth production runs spanned serial numbers A 103201 to approximately A 120000, introducing slight design refinements:
- Plastic grip panels replaced walnut, featuring milled checkering for improved ergonomics.
- Frames transitioned to a sandblasted finish.
- Slide pieces were adjusted, maintaining the pistol’s sleek design while enhancing functionality.
Final Version:
Pistols with serial numbers A 120001 to A 213110 are considered the second version, corresponding to the civilian P 210-2 model. These were sandblasted and blued, equipped with updated features such as:
- A safety notch on the hammer.
- Slide stops and safety levers with grooves for better control.
- Extended guide rails for improved performance.
Precision Engineering & Unique Features
Every Pistol 49 showcases meticulous Swiss craftsmanship. Test-fired to ensure accuracy, these pistols demonstrated unmatched consistency. The high-quality blued finish, paired with ergonomic grip designs (walnut or plastic), reflects the Swiss dedication to perfection. Additionally, insert barrels for small-caliber 4mm training, manufactured by Lienhard, Grünig + Elmiger, further extended the versatility of this sidearm.
Deployment Beyond the Military
Interestingly, the Swiss Federal Railways and private railway companies were also equipped with the Pistole 49. These pistols underwent biannual inspections, maintaining their reliability in diverse applications.
Legacy
The Swiss Army Pistol, from its initial serial number A 100001 to the final A 213110, represents the pinnacle of military pistol engineering. Whether in its original military form or as the refined civilian P 210-2, the Pistol 49 remains a cherished piece of firearm history, celebrated for its precision, durability, and timeless design.
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.
Swiss Army Pistol 49
1st Delivery, 1949
- Weapon Number: A 100001
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Slide: 1st version P 210, flat front, polished, blued, small Swiss emblem (crossed shield)
- Frame: 2nd version P 210, polished, blued (proof mark: “K+”)
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilting barrel, with locking cam
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Plain, brushed
- Magazine Capacity: 8 cartridges
- Trigger Mechanism: 1st version, without number
- Front Sight: Staked, Ordinance standard
- Rear Sight: Staked, Ordinance standard
- Grip Panels: Walnut grip panels with horizontal grooves and sling swivel
Special Features:
The first army weapon with the number A 100001. On the first approximately 150 pieces, only the last three digits of the serial number are engraved on the slide.
Additional engravings:
- Swiss emblem in front of the rear sight
- On the left side of the slide: A 100001, “BP” stamp, and SIG logo
- On the left side of the frame: A 100001, “K+” acceptance stamp
- On the left side of the trigger guard: “P” (privately owned).
- Serial number range for the first delivery: A 100001 to A 103200.
Swiss Army Pistol Army 49
1st Delivery, 1949
- Weapon Number: A 100672
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Slide: Flat front, polished, blued, large Swiss emblem, left side marked with A 100672, “BP” stamp, SIG logo
- Frame: Blued, polished, left side marked with A 100672 with “K+” acceptance mark
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilting barrel
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Black, polished
- Magazine Capacity: 8 cartridges
- Trigger Mechanism: 1st version, serial 0672, hammer without safety catch
- Front Sight: Staked, Ordinance standard
- Rear Sight: Staked, Ordinance standard
- Grip Panels: Wooden grip panels with grooves, sling swivel, three metal stars on the left side at the top (possibly custom-made)
Special Features:
The letter “P” is engraved on the left side of the trigger guard, indicating private ownership. The slide stop is flat, and the safety lever is rounded. For the first A-series serial numbers, the upper serial number engraved on the slide is slightly larger than the lower number on the frame.
Serial number range: A 100001 to A 103200.
Swiss Army Pistol 49
1st Delivery, 1949
- Weapon Number: A 101231
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Slide: Reddish blued, polished, flat front, large Swiss emblem; left side marked with A 101231, “BP” stamped, SIG logo
- Frame: Blued, polished; left side marked with A 101231 and “K+” acceptance stamp
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilting barrel
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Blued, polished
- Magazine Capacity: 8 cartridges
- Trigger Mechanism: 1st version, stamped “01231” on the rear, hammer without safety notch
- Front Sight: Staked, Ordinance standard
- Rear Sight: Staked, Ordinance standard
- Grip Panels: Wooden grip panels with grooves, sling swivel
Special Features:
The letter “P” is stamped on the left side of the trigger guard. A red sticker is located at the lower front of the grip panel with the text: “50th Federal Shooting Festival 1979, Lucerne, 7–22 July.”
The slide stop is flat, and the safety lever is rounded.
Serial number range: A 100001 to A 103200.
Swiss Army Pistol
2nd Delivery, 1950/51
- Weapon Number: A 104214
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Slide: Blued, polished, flat front, large Swiss emblem; left side marked with A 104214, “BP” stamped, SIG logo
- Frame: Blued, polished; left side marked with A 104214 and “K+” acceptance stamp
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilting barrel
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Blued, polished
- Magazine Capacity: 8 cartridges
- Trigger Mechanism: 1st version, stamped “4214,” hammer without safety notch
- Front Sight: Staked, Ordinance standard
- Rear Sight: Staked, Ordinance standard
- Grip Panels: Wooden grip panels with grooves, sling swivel
Special Features:
The letter “P” is stamped on the left side of the trigger guard. The slide stop is a flat design, and the safety lever is rounded.
Serial number range: A 103201 to A 107210.
Swiss Army Pistol 49
3rd Delivery
- Weapon Number: A 108204
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Slide: Flat design, black, sandblasted; left side marked with A 108204, SIG logo, “BP” stamped
- Frame: Reddish bluing, polished; left side marked with A 108204 and “K+” acceptance stamp
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilting barrel
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Polished, blued
- Magazine Capacity: 8 cartridges
- Trigger Mechanism: Stamped “8204,” hammer without safety notch
- Front Sight: Staked, Ordinance standard
- Rear Sight: Staked, Ordinance standard
- Grip Panels: Wooden grip panels with grooves and sling swivel
Special Features:
The slide has a flat front design. On the right side of the frame, the text “SUT 1952 Biel” and an “N” with a line through it is engraved. This engraving indicates it was donated by the Swiss Industrial Society in Neuhausen am Rheinfall.
Serial number range: A 107211 to A 109710.
Swiss Army Pistol 49
3rd Delivery
- Weapon Number: A 108536
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Slide: Flat design, black, polished; left side marked with A 108536, “BP” stamped, SIG logo
- Frame: Reddish bluing, polished; left side marked with A 108536 and “K+” acceptance stamp
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilting barrel
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Polished, blued
- Magazine Capacity: 8 cartridges
- Trigger Mechanism: Stamped “8536,” hammer without safety notch
- Front Sight: Staked, Ordinance standard
- Rear Sight: Staked, Ordinance standard
- Grip Panels: Wooden grip panels with grooves and sling swivel
Special Features:
The slide stop is a flat design, and the safety lever is rounded.
Serial number range: A 107211 to A 109710.
Swiss Army Pistol 49
2nd Version, 4th Delivery
- Weapon Number: A 115123
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Slide: Black, polished, flat front; marked with A 115123, “BP” stamp, SIG logo
- Frame: Sandblasted; marked with A 115123 and “K+” acceptance stamp
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilting barrel
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Polished, blued
- Magazine Capacity: 8 cartridges
- Trigger Mechanism: 1st version, stamped “15123,” hammer with safety notch
- Front Sight: Staked, Ordinance standard
- Rear Sight: Staked, Ordinance standard
- Grip Panels: Plastic with sling swivel
Special Features:
The slide stop is a flat design, and the safety lever has grooves. This is a new design referred to as a “transitional model.” The letter “P” is stamped at the front of the trigger guard.
Serial number range: A 109711 to approximately A 120500.
Swiss Army Pistol 49
2nd Version
- Weapon Number: A 122638
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Slide: Sandblasted, blued, new design; marked with A 122638, “BP” stamped
- Frame: Sandblasted, blued; marked with A 122638 and “K+” acceptance stamp
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilting barrel
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Blued, sandblasted
- Magazine Capacity: 8 cartridges
- Trigger Mechanism: New version, stamped “22638”
- Front Sight: Staked, Ordinance standard
- Rear Sight: Staked, Ordinance standard
- Grip Panels: Plastic with sling swivel
Special Features:
The new slide design is not flat-milled at the front. These pistols lack the “P” stamp on the slide.
Serial number range: A 120500 to approximately A 213110.
Swiss Army Pistol 49
2nd Version
- Weapon Number: A 207090
- Designer: SIG
- Manufacturer: SIG
- Caliber: 9 mm Para
- Slide: New design, sandblasted, blued; marked with A 207090, “BP” stamped, SIG logo
- Frame: Sandblasted, blued; left side marked with A 207090 and “K+” acceptance stamp
- Barrel Length and Type: 120 mm, tilting barrel
- Number of Grooves: Six
- Twist: Right-hand, 250 mm
- Magazine: Sandblasted, blued
- Magazine Capacity: 8 cartridges
- Trigger Mechanism: New version, flat rear; the last five digits (“07090”) stamped
- Front Sight: Staked, Ordinance standard
- Rear Sight: Staked, Ordinance standard
- Grip Panels: Black plastic with sling swivel
Special Features:
The letter “P” is stamped at the front of the trigger guard.
Serial number range: Approximately A 120500 to A 213110.
