The Technical Development of the SIG Semi-Automatic Pistols
SP 47/8, P 210 (Pistole 49)
This revised and expanded report on the development of SIG pistols was written by then-SIG Chief Designer Emil Busenhart just days before his death.
The Neuhausen semi-automatic pistol is a further development of the French military pistol introduced in 1935 into the French Army under the designation “Pistolet automatique caliber 7.65 mm long modèle 1935 A.”
This weapon was developed by the weapons manufacturer Société Alsacienne de Constructions Mécaniques (SACM) under a design program by the French War Ministry. The inventor and designer was Swiss engineer Charles Petter, who served as director of the company. The weapon was selected for adoption after rigorous comparison trials with 23 pistols of various systems.
In 1937, the Swiss Industrial Company (Schweizerische Industrie-Gesellschaft, SIG) in Neuhausen acquired the licensing rights to manufacture and sell this weapon worldwide, except in France. With this agreement, SIG also took possession of 20 original Petter Model 1935 pistols in caliber 7.65 mm long and two original Petter pistols in caliber 9 mm Parabellum, all with 110 mm barrel lengths. With the first Petter Modèle 1935 caliber 7.65 mm long, a Petter 9 mm Para pistol (the Model 1) was also manufactured. The Model 1, Petter 9 mm Para, features narrow rear slide serrations, like the original Petter Model 1935 caliber 7.65 mm long.
Development in Collaboration with the Army Command, Its Departments, and the War Technical Department
In November 1942, at the urging of the Army Command, the War Technical Department (KTA) was tasked with involving SIG in developing a new service pistol. This process had already been ongoing for over two years. Initial negotiations were thus initiated. The specifications for a new service pistol, published on May 8, 1943, corresponded in essential points to SIG’s experiences and findings from studies and trials conducted between 1938 and the outbreak of the war.
Between March 1943 and October 1945, 25 pistols (serial numbers 6001 to 6025) were created in collaboration with the Army Command, the Infantry Department, and the KTA. Among these, 10 were various experimental models. The pistols numbered 6026 and 6027 are original Petter pistols in caliber 9 mm Para (Model 2) and were entirely delivered from SACM to SIG between 1938 and 1940. Along with these two complete 9 mm Petter pistols, 18 unfinished Petter 9 mm pistols (in raw condition) were also supplied to SIG in Neuhausen for developmental purposes.
Pistol number 6026, internally marked with the number 1, is the first Petter 9 mm pistol, and pistol number 6027, internally marked with the number 2, is the second Petter 9 mm Para pistol (Model 2). The two original Petter pistols (Model 2), which remained in the factory, were not modified, so they could serve as a basis for comparison with the modified pistols. All other experimental pistols result from extensive trials conducted by various Army departments and the KTA. The insights gained, and the resulting considerations were forwarded to SIG for further refinement in the form of new proposals.
For internal factory tests, over 30,000 rounds were fired during this time. By December 9, 1943, the first ten pistols were delivered to the KTA under the designation “Neuhausen Semi-Automatic Pistol (Petter System)” in caliber 9 mm Parabellum with serial numbers 6001–6003, 6005, 6006, 6008–6010, 6013, and 6015. These pistols were equipped with a trigger mechanism without a pressure-point lever.
On March 2, 1944, an additional delivery of pistol number 6004, featuring the first modification of a pressure-point lever and wooden grips, was made. In April 1944, the pistols numbered 6008–6010 were modified to match pistol number 6004 and equipped with additional new barrels.
These three pistols were returned to the KTA on May 1, 1944, for further testing.
The aforementioned ten pistols in the two different configurations remained in the possession of the KTA. At the same time, nine developmental models were returned to SIG at the end of the trials in late 1945. Thus, along with pistols 6026 and 6027, SIG retained 10 developmental pistols. The configurations of pistols 6004 and 6008–6010 are missing. Photographic records show the external differences among the developmental models. Pistols 6026 and 6027 are identical in external appearance. Similarly, pistol 6024 is externally similar to pistols 6023 and 6025.
The report describes the design features and details of all the pistols in the order of their developmental progression. It begins with the original Petter pistol and concludes with the first prototype, SP 4/18 No. 6028, which served as the basis for series production. Both pistols are also shown in photographs.
Suppose the serial numbers of the first four models (6026, 6027, 6012, and 6007) do not correspond to the development order. This is because trials and modification work were conducted simultaneously at the beginning of the process. The numbering of the test pistols was only assigned after all trials had been completed. Therefore, they need to be numbered in the order in which they were developed.
The designations P 44/8, P 44/15, and P 44/16 were only assigned during the production of the last two models. SIG carried out all studies and developmental work independently, as the trials involved neither knowledge of the Federal Arms Factory’s test models nor access to competitor weapons.
The consequences and experiences of World War II complicated decision-making for the responsible departments, which is why contact with SIG was interrupted from late November 1945 to early 1948.
Further Independent Development by SIG in 1946–1947
- An 8-round magazine to make the pistol lighter and improve the grip design.
- The ability to easily switch between the standard 9 mm Parabellum barrel and a 7.65 mm Parabellum barrel.
Meeting these requirements posed no difficulties, and in a short time, the first prototype numbered 6028, was produced under the designation Neuhausen Semi-Automatic Pistol SP 47/8 SIG in calibers 9 mm and 7.65 mm Parabellum.
The Fruits of Years of Development Work
- 1 prototype SP 47/8, serial number 6549, delivered in 1948.
- 14,000 pistols designated 9 mm Pm/49 HTK, delivered on August 27, 1948.
- 2,607 pistols designated 9 mm Pm/49 HTK, delivered on May 25, 1951.
- 12 demonstration pistols (“Type Denmark”) HTK, serial numbers 6875–6886, delivered on July 27, 1951.
- 3,600 pistols designated 9 mm Pm/49 FKF, delivered on January 24, 1953.
- 2 P 210-2 Standard pistols (sample shipment) FKF, serial numbers 6900 and 6901 (internally numbered 000 and 0000), delivered on February 21, 1953.
- 5,306 pistols designated 9 mm Pm/49 FKF, delivered on May 28, 1954.
- 1,417 pistols designated 9 mm Pm/49 HTK (remaining inventory of the Federal Border Guard), delivered on November 6, 1962.
Continued Success and Legacy
The last significant order was placed in 1951 by the German Ministry of the Interior for equipping the Federal Border Guard. Over the past 45 years, the SIG pistol has gained recognition and appreciation among sports shooters domestically and internationally, significantly expanding its private sales.
The SIG P 210 pistol remains highly popular. It is still manufactured at SIG Neuhausen using fully automated machining systems in the following models: P 210-2, P 210-5, P 210-6, and, upon request, the P 210-7 as a .22 LR (5.6 mm) target pistol.
For collectors and discerning P 210 enthusiasts, SIG produces the luxury model P 210-L. This deluxe version is hand-engraved, with components such as the trigger, slide catch, safety lever, and hammer partially plated in 18-karat gold.
Currently, customers can choose from four different engraving styles: arabesque engraving, oak leaf engraving, longitudinal line engraving, and English engraving. Commemorative editions of the legendary P 210 pistol have also been produced, such as the JP 210 for SIG’s 125th anniversary in 1978 and the JP 210 for Switzerland’s 700th anniversary in 1991, which features a stunning royal blue gloss finish with 18-karat gold-plated trigger, slide catch, safety lever, and hammer.
As a former P 210 designer, I am continually pleased that SIG is still producing such JP models of the P 210 after nearly half a century. I wish all P 210 shooters, enthusiasts, and collectors much joy with their SIG P 210 pistols.
