Produced only in caliber 7,65mm (.32 ACP) during World War II, the Sauer 38(H) outwardly appears little different than about a dozen other contemporaneous German pocket pistols in this caliber. The 38(H) weighs 22 ounces (624 grams) empty. Overall length is 6.37 inches (163mm). The four-groove barrel has a right-hand twist and is 3.38 inches (85mm) in length.

Late-production Sauer 38(H) pistols (top) can be immediately distinguished from those of early production (bottom) by the absence of a slide-mounted manual safety.

We were fortunate to have two Sauer 38(H) pistols to examine for our test and evaluation, and they represented both very early and very late production. Our early-production specimen, serial number 312857, is marked "J.P. Sauer & Sohn, Suhl Cal. 7,65" on the left side of the slide. The right side of the slide is marked "Patent" (omitted at some point during the war).

The serial number is located on the right side of the frame just below the rear end of the slide's cocking serrations. The military acceptance stamp, "eagle over 37," is located on the upper left side of the triggerguard. This specimen is equipped with a set of rare checkered wood grip panels. The commercial test proofmark, "eagle over N," is located on the right side of the frame directly below the serial number.

Our second specimen, serial number 606910, has no slide markings other than "Cal.7,65" on the left side and the commercial test proofmark, "eagle over N," on the right side directly above the cocking serrations. The serial number is located on the left side of the frame just below the rear end of the slide's cocking serrations. The military acceptance stamp, "eagle over 37," is located on the upper left side of the triggerguard. The two-piece checkered black-plastic grip panels carry the Sauer logo on the left grip panel only.

The fixed sights consist of an open U-notch rear sight and a forward-curving front-sight blade. Both are more than adequate for a pistol of this type and caliber. The top of the slide is serrated to reduce glare.

A Sauer 38(H) pistol with a World War II German service holster, which was made by Vitouek of Hohen-Bruck in 1941.

These pistols were finished by means of a salt-blueing process. Toward the end of series production, many that I have examined exhibit a purple cast that is usually attributed to insufficient time in the blueing tank.

The method of operation is unlocked blowback, which is sufficient for this relatively marginal cartridge. A double-action, semiautomatic design, the 38(H) has no hold-open, and the slide does not remain to the rear after the last shot has been fired. There is a magazine safety, and the pistol cannot be fired unless a magazine is inserted.

The principal assemblies are the frame, barrel, slide, trigger mechanism and magazine. The drop-forged frame was configured to mount the trigger mechanism and form a grip into which the magazine is inserted. Its extension forms the triggerguard, and it has machined rails to accept the slide. A mount directly above the trigger mechanism is designed to retain the barrel and is integral with the frame forging. During World War II a small quantity of these pistols were made with duraluminum slides and frames, which substantially reduced the weight.

The barrel is permanently attached to this mount by a steel pin. It was not intended to be removed by the operator. The recoil spring wraps around the barrel and is compressed when the slide moves rearward during the recoil stroke. No barrel bushing is required, as the front end of the recoil spring rests in a seat at the muzzle end of the slide. All of this is quite conventional for a blowback-operated semiautomatic pistol.