The black-plastic left grip panel of the Sauer 38(H) carries the superimposed double-"S" Sauer logo.

Both the magazine body, floorplate and follower are sheetmetal stampings. There are seven cartridge indicator holes on the left side of the magazine body. The magazine catch/release is located on the left side of the frame directly below the hammer-cocking lever. When it's released, magazines drop freely.

Geco (Gustav Genschow & Co. AG) developed a 4mm adapter for inexpensive target practice that consisted of both a barrel and cartridge insert. When installed, the pistol operated as a single-shot weapon only, and the slide had to be manually retracted after each shot. As the priming was both rimfire and centerfire, no firing-pin modification was required. There was no propellant charge, and the priming composition propelled the .177-inch projectile.

Sauer 38(H) pistols procured by the Heereswaffenamt were all marked with the military acceptance stamp, "eagle over 37," (this acceptance stamp also appears on Haenel-manufactured P.08 magazines) and often with the commercial test proofmark, "eagle over N." Those issued to the police carry either "eagle C" or "eagle F" acceptance stamps.

Field Service
There is no way to determine which pistols procured by the Heereswaffenamt were issued to the Heer (army), Luftwaffe or Waffen SS. There is no evidence that any were ever issued to the Kriegsmarine (navy). However, considerable anecdotal evidence indicates that the Sauer 38(H) was quite popular with the Fallschirmjäger (hunters from the sky) branch of the Luftwaffe.

German paratroopers dropped "naked," with their shoulder-mounted weapons (the K98k rifle, MP40 submachine gun or FG42--the latter issued exclusively to the Fallschirmjäger) dropped in a separate container. Quite often the paratroopers would land a considerable distance from the squad's weapons container. A handgun carried on the service belt--almost always in a crossdraw manner-- was de rigueur and quite essential. Both the P.08 and P.38 were large, service-size handguns, as was the Belgian High Power (the latter was, in any event, used almost exclusively by the Waffen SS). A pocket pistol, such as the Sauer 38(H), was ideal for this purpose and provided the required placebo.

The Sauer 38(H) was a highly advanced design, and its cocking/decocking lever was totally unique, even to this day. Production quality, although cosmetically in decline by the end of the war, was more than adequate for military service. It was robust and totally reliable. Accuracy was on a par with it contemporaries. Its mysterious demise after World War II is to be lamented. It's doubtful that we will ever see its likes again.

Disassembly Procedures
This is an extremely simple pistol to disassemble. Remove the magazine, and retract the slide to clear the pistol. There is a serrated slide-lock catch on the frame, just in front of the trigger. Pull it downward as far as it will go. This will bring its upper portion out of alignment with the slide. With the hammer cocked, retract the slide while lifting its rear end. The slide will lift off its frame guides and may then be eased forward over the barrel. Withdraw the recoil spring, which is wrapped around the barrel. Remove the grip panels to expose the lockwork. No further disassembly is recommended. Clean, lubricate, and reassemble in the reverse order.