SIG P210
The SIG P210 (Swiss Army designation Pistole 49) is a locked breech semi-automatic pistol designed and manufactured in Neuhausen am Rheinfall (Canton of Schaffhausen, Switzerland) by Swiss Arms AG, formerly SIG Arms AG (distributed in U.S. by SIGARMS).
It is of all-steel construction chambered in 9×19mm Parabellum and 7.65×21mm Parabellum. It was used from 1949 to 1975 by the Swiss army and police units. It was also adopted and is still in service with the Military of Denmark (as M/49 Neuhausen or simply Neuhausen), in 1951 by the German Bundespolizei and in shooting sports.
The pistols were decommissioned and replaced by the SIG P220 (Swiss Army designation Pistole 75) but second-hand 210s are greatly valued by shooting sports competitors. The P210 is also considered as an investment for some collectors and often fetch prices over US$2500. This varies around the world; an average price in Sweden is $1500–2000 while in Spain a P210 will sell for no less than €4000.
History
The design was derived from Charles Petter Modèle 1935A pistol. In 1937 SIG acquired a license for Petter system in order to develop a replacement for the Luger Parabellum 06/29, which had been in service since 1900. Development was slowed by the Second World War. After testing various experimental models (as the 44/16 with a double column magazine), the pistol entered on service in 1949 with the Swiss army (Ordonnanzpistole 49) and (SP47/8) for civilian market. Some previous series were tested by Swedish sport shooters and by the Danish army (Danish Defence designation Pistol M/49). In 1957, the civil designation (SP47/8) was definitely changed to P210 according to the company nomenclature policy.
SIG Sauer
SIG Sauer GmbH is the subsidiary of manufacturing firm L&O Holding, which also owns Swiss Arms AG. Initially SIG Sauer Inc was established in 1985 with the name Sigarms (until October 2007) to import and distribute SIG firearms into the United States. Since 2000 SIG Sauer Inc has been organizationally separate from manufacturer SIG Sauer GmbH.
History
The origins of the original SIG company lies in the Swiss Wagon Factory created in 1853 by Friedrich Peyer im Hof, Heinrich Moser and Conrad Neher. After winning a competition put on by Switzerland's Federal Ministry of Defense, a contract to produce 30,000 muskets was awarded. They changed their name to Schweizerische Industriegesellschaft (SIG), German for "Swiss Industrial Company" (in French regions of Switzerland was known as Société Industrielle Suisse).
Sauer & Sohn
In the 1970s, SIG began work on designing a handgun that would balance price with quality. Swiss law limits the ability of Swiss companies to manufacture firearms and Swiss companies who wish to do this have to do so by using a foreign partner. In the case of SIG they chose the German firm of Sauer & Sohn. The SIG Sauer line of handguns began in 1975 with the SIG Sauer SIG P220. Prior to World War II, Sauer had been primarily a maker of shotguns and hunting rifles. During the war, they produced a handgun, the Sauer 38H, but afterwards had withdrawn from this market. With SIG as their partner/owner, Sauer returned to the business of manufacturing handguns.
SIG SG 510
The SIG SG 510 or Sturmgewehr 57 is a selective fire battle rifle manufactured by Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft (now SAN Swiss Arms) of Switzerland. It uses a similar roller-delayed blowback system to the H&K G3 and CETME rifles. It also has a SAW counterpart akin to the American Stoner 63.
The SIG SG 510-1 entered service in the Swiss Army with the designation Fass 57 (French/Italian, for Fusil d' Assaut 57/Fucile d' Assalto 57) or Stgw 57 (German for Sturm Gewehr 57).
The Sturmgewehr 57/SIG SG 510-1 was adopted for Swiss military service in 1957 and has been replaced by the lighter SIG SG 550 in 1990, although some reservists used it several years longer.
Design details
The SG 510 is derived from the AM55 used during the 1950s. It is a selective fire rifle that employs a roller-delayed blowback operating system. Unusually, it was fitted with a shiny stainless steel bayonet.
Features
The weapon is mainly made of pressed sheet-metal components to ease mass production. The SG 510 has a distinctive T-shaped bolt handle similar to the earlier K31. The butt-stock and hand guard of the rifle are rubberized for comfort and durability and the front hand guard is ribbed to provide a better grip.
Podcasts:
