JP SAUER MODEL 30 Duralumin W/Disconnect

RICK G · August 8, 2012, 04:12 PM

I have acquired a JP Sauer Model 30 (Berholder?) with the trigger safety (like the Glock). It has the Crown & N stamping forward of the trigger frame, and the barrel has the Nicosta barrel ring signature near the muzzle. I is marked "Original Duralumin" and the pistol is in the white. All script is in German. The trigger and safety are case-hardened bright blue. Grips near perfect. Does this gun have a loading indicator? If so, where? (I have not fired it as of yet.) I'm told this example is quite valuable. The overall condition is conservatively "very good". Serial # is in 216xxx range. Gun finish is bright aluminum finish, no corrosion and looks "modern". Does anyone possibly have an electronic copy of the original owners manual? If you'd like pics, let me know and I'll upload a few.

RickB · August 8, 2012, 06:39 PM

I think there's a loaded-chamber indicator that fits in a long, narrow slot on the top of the slide, from the breechface to the rear. I examined an all-steel version belonging to a family member, and while it was in overall great condition, it was missing the loaded-chamber indicator. I remember finding a drawing of the slide and the part in question, on the internet, so look around and you should be able to find it. I'll see if I can find it.

RickB · August 8, 2012, 06:56 PM

The Behoerden is a variant of the Model 30; I think only the former has the "trigger safety". Check out this thread from 2009:
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=384494

Post number 12 has a patent drawing that shows the firing pin, and the two- or three-part loaded-chamber indicator.

RICK G · August 9, 2012, 07:57 AM

I see! The cocking knob on mine has a small hole at 12 o'clock on its face. That diagram shows the indicator pokes thru that hole. I haven't loaded it yet, but will do so this weekend. This little piece seems like a very "advanced" pistol for its time! I'll get a few pics this weekend. So far, it's condition is much better than any of the photos I've seen posted.

Winchester_73 · August 9, 2012, 08:30 AM

The reason your pistol is valuable aside from condition and originality, (if it is original that is) is because it is duraluminum (or so you said) which usually pretty rare in these older European pistols. Basically its an older term for what we call today an "airweight" pistol. Post some pics of this pistol if you can.

RICK G · August 10, 2012, 11:20 AM

Well, I loaded it up last night and the load indicator pin stuck thru the hole in the rear face of the cocking knob! Looks like my sample has that feature.

Jim Watson · August 10, 2012, 12:11 PM

Blue Book says of the 1930 Sauer "Add $1000 for the very rare aluminum frame model."

Is yours ALL aluminum? Check the slide with a magnet.

RICK G · August 13, 2012, 05:13 PM

Yes, it's aluminum and has a stainless barrel with the Krupp markings. I do need to take some pics.....

Jim Watson · August 13, 2012, 06:43 PM

There used to be a Sauer collector on this board. I hope he shows up because it sounds like you have a real rarity.

Alias of "sauerfan" actually located in Germany, latest post in July.

RICK G · August 15, 2012, 11:09 AM

Thanks! I sent him a message.

nino repo · August 27, 2012, 09:45 PM

Was model 30 able to fire with modern ammo or a concern over possible over pressure on duralumin? Sounds like a nice collectable firearm.

carguychris · August 28, 2012, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Was model 30 able to fire with modern ammo or a concern over possible over pressure on duralumin?

AFAIK there is no significant pressure difference between vintage and modern .32ACP / 7.65 Browning ammo. In fact, some modern shooters feel that many modern commercial loads are purposefully downloaded to protect vintage pistols from damage.

Keep in mind that this cartridge was designed for smokeless powder from the start, so there is no concern about keeping smokeless loads out of a black powder firearm as with some other pistol cartridges that were popular in the early 20th century. (This topic pops up from time to time re: .32ACP; I believe it's a misconception that arises from the use of .32ACP in a .32 S&W or .32 S&W Long revolver, which IMHO should not be attempted even if the gun was built in the smokeless powder era- but I digress.)

I DO, however, share your concern about possible damage to the duralumin frame. If I were the OP, I would strongly consider not firing this pistol AT ALL, regardless of the ammo used.

August 8, 2012, 04:12 PM	#1
RICK G Junior Member Join Date: August 8, 2012 Posts: 6	JP SAUER MODEL 30 Duralumin W/Disconnect I have acquired a JP Sauer Model 30 (Berholder?) with the trigger safety (like the Glock). It has the Crown & N stamping forward of the trigger frame, and the barrel has the Nicosta barrel ring signature near the muzzle. I is marked "Original Duralumin" and the pistol is in the white. All script is in German. The trigger and safety are case-hardened bright blue. Grips near perfect. Does this gun have a loading indicator? If so, where? (I have not fired it as of yet.) I'm told this example is quite valuable. The overall condition is conservatively "very good". Serial # is in 216xxx range. Gun finish is bright aluminum finish, no corrosion and looks "modern". Does anyone possibly have an electronic copy of the original owners manual? If you'd like pics, let me know and I'll upload a few.

August 8, 2012, 06:56 PM	#3
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Posts: 4,764	The Behoerden is a variant of the Model 30; I think only the former has the "trigger safety". Check out this thread from 2009: http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=384494 Post number 12 has a patent drawing that shows the firing pin, and the two- or three-part loaded-chamber indicator. Last edited by RickB; August 9, 2012 at 11:02 AM. Reason: spelling?

August 9, 2012, 07:57 AM	#4
RICK G Junior Member Join Date: August 8, 2012 Posts: 6	Model 30 Load Indicator I see! The cocking knob on mine has a small hole at 12 o'clock on its face. That diagram shows the indicator pokes thru that hole. I haven't loaded it yet, but will do so this weekend. This little piece seems like a very "advanced" pistol for its time! I'll get a few pics this weekend. So far, it's condition is much better than any of the photos I've seen posted.

August 9, 2012, 08:30 AM	#5
Winchester_73 Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2008 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 2,598	The reason your pistol is valuable aside from condition and originality, (if it is original that is) is because it is duraluminum (or so you said) which usually pretty rare in these older European pistols. Basically its an older term for what we call today an "airweight" pistol. Post some pics of this pistol if you can. __________________ Winchester 73, the TFL user that won the west

August 10, 2012, 11:20 AM	#6
RICK G Junior Member Join Date: August 8, 2012 Posts: 6	Model 30 Load Indicator Well, I loaded it up last night and the load indicator pin stuck thru the hole in the rear face of the cocking knob! Looks like my sample has that feature.

August 8, 2012, 06:39 PM	#2
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Posts: 4,764	I think there's a loaded-chamber indicator that fits in a long, narrow slot on the top of the slide, from the breechface to the rear. I examined an all-steel version belonging to a family member, and while it was in overall great condition, it was missing the loaded-chamber indicator. I remember finding a drawing of the slide and the part in question, on the internet, so look around and you should be able to find it. I'll see if I can find it.

August 10, 2012, 12:11 PM	#7
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 9,665	Blue Book says of the 1930 Sauer "Add $1000 for the very rare aluminum frame model." Is yours ALL aluminum? Check the slide with a magnet.

August 13, 2012, 05:13 PM	#8
RICK G Junior Member Join Date: August 8, 2012 Posts: 6	JP Sauer Yes, it's aluminum and has a stainless barrel with the Krupp markings. I do need to take some pics.....

August 13, 2012, 06:43 PM	#9
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 9,665	There used to be a Sauer collector on this board. I hope he shows up because it sounds like you have a real rarity. Alias of "sauerfan" actually located in Germany, latest post in July.

August 15, 2012, 11:09 AM	#10
RICK G Junior Member Join Date: August 8, 2012 Posts: 6	JP Sauer fan Thanks! I sent him a message.

August 27, 2012, 09:45 PM	#11
nino repo Junior Member Join Date: August 27, 2012 Posts: 1	Jp Sauer Model 30 Was model 30 able to fire with modern ammo or a concern over possible over pressure on duralumin? Sounds like a nice collectable firearm.