Hawes Western Sixshooter .22 LR only Mfg.1968

[WattsAmerica]

My dad got this used back in the early 70's. I've spent a lot of research time here and on the Web. It is a great shooter and luckily this one is 99% original. Firing pin replaced in 1984 by a smith. SN: 89912
Original Grips too but Right one has repairs. Also, the original grips screw from the LEFT side. Most new Faux Stag grips that look so much "not as nice" screw in from the RIGHT. I've only seen 4 guns with the original grips. If this one DID come with a MAG cylinder, its long gone. My guess is dad never got it and I think he paid $50 for it as is, no box or papers.

Well, when dad passed, it became mine and though I realize its no COLT, it IS a great piece, but I have found so many variants of THIS model on WEB images and auction sites. I will likely have to get more data from Sauer regarding serial number forms. 0001 to 999999 then A0000 to A999999, then B and so on. But SOME have another form 0000/0 0/00000. Want to know why! There IS a Model Number for the .22 "Western Sixshooter", and the others too, but do not know what that is yet.

Rear of the grips...notice the Alignment pin holes. Seems to make it weak there.

So, here is some more info...

Made in Western Germany from 1964 to 1982, and imported to US by Hawes from 1969-1980.
Not same as earlier Great Westerns or Hy Hunters. Later similar ones by EMF and Herters.

Left Side Barrel Markings:

HAWES FIREARMS CO.
Las Angeles, California
Made In Western Germany By 68, Leaf, Mark + (Mark on frame)
J P SAUER & SOHN
89912 (Circle JP Sauer Logo)

Anyone know what the LEAF and other 2 MARKS represent? The 68 is Year MFG.

*HAMMER misfit appears on most of these I’ve seen. Seems too tall to me. Why?

Zamak (invented 1920 USA, ZAMAK and also known as Zamac) is a family of alloys with a base metal of zinc and alloying elements of aluminum, magnesium, and copper.
I have learned that the FRAME, BARREL HOUSING, TRIGGER GUARD, BACK STRAP, EXTRACTOR TUBE AND RAIL, and CYLINDER HOUSING may be of Zamak, a cheaper than steel metal alloy that magnets do not strongly respond to.
Steel is used in Barrel Insert, Cylinder Inserts(6), Cylinder gearing insert, Hammer, Trigger, Base Pin/Bushing, Front Sight, Firing pin assy, all screws/springs/internal parts. Checked with magnet.
BLUING or paint/coating is FAIR condition as of this date.


No SN on the grip frame but does say "Made In West Germany"

Known advertised Models by Hawes were....

• Western Marshal
• Silver City Marshal
• Chief Marshal
• Federal Marshal
• Deputy Marshal
• Montana Marshal

...but no mention of THIS model "Western Sixshooter" Why?
Could it be a Western, Montanna or Deputy Marshal? Due to it being .22/.22Mag only?

Have Read,

While these were copies of the Colt, the dimensions of the revolvers weren't that of the Colt model of 1873. The frame was larger (to handle the modern loads and allow the .44 Mag chambering) the grip frames had a different profile and the cylinders were larger in diameter.

The Hawes Western Marshal is a completely different gun. Made by Sauer and Sohn of West Germany it was basically a clone of the Great Western revolver of the 1950's. It was first imported by Hy Hunter who was instrumental in the founding of Great Western. When Hy Hunter's business interests folded Hawes took over importation of the Sauer made guns.

J.P Sauer, found the original company: J.P. Sauer & Sohn (Sauer) in Suhl, Eastern Germany was dismantled by the Soviets after the fall of the Third Reich. It was shortly thereafter revived in Eckernförde, West Germany by a member of the Sauer family. The company was looking for a gun to market to the west and the time was right for a western style six shooter.

In the 70's the Swiss gun maker SIG acquired Sauer to make SIG service pistols for the German police. Later, SIG sold its arms branch to German investors Lüke & Ortmeier. in 2009 L&O spun off the traditional hunting rifles into a new company in Isny, southern Germany, which was named JP Sauer & Sohn, while what was formerly JP Sauer & Sohn (Eckernförde) was renamed to SIG Sauer and continued to make service and sporting weapons. Production and importation of the SAA copies ended sometime in the early 1980's

I've seen REBLUED versions out there, with new fake grips, selling $100 to $300. Worth a reblue?
I'm likely to keep it in the Gun Safe, to preserve it and the grips...for another 52 years.

SO....I'm guessing that calling Sauer is the ONLY place answers may lie. Anyone try that yet?

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Well used family heirloom, shoot it and enjoy it.

 

[BobWright]

I'd suggest, if you have not already done so, to go to the Great Western Arms Collectors Forum to do some research there. While your gun is not a Great Western, there is a good bit of information there on similar guns.

As you point out, this is not a Colt, but of equal interest to many collectors/shooters are the early (and current) copies of the Single Action revolver. Had a Hy Hunter pass through my hands not too long back.

Bob Wright

 

[WattsAmerica]

I'd suggest, if you have not already done so, to go to the Great Western Arms Collectors Forum to do some research there. While your gun is not a Great Western, there is a ggoodd bit of information there ons similar guns.

As you point out, this is not a Colt, but of equal interest to many collectors/shooters are the early (and current) copies of the Single Action revolver. Had a Hy Hunter pass through my hands not too long back.

Bob Wright

Thanks Bob...will do!

 

[bannockburn]

WattsAmerica

One of the first single action revolvers I had was a Hawes Western Marshal. It was also made primarily out of Zamak with steel inserts for the barrel and cylinder. It was a full size gun unlike some of the other single action models J.P. Sauer use to make (I believe these were called Deputy Marshals in .22LR and .22 Magnum and were built to like 7/8th size).

Finish was blued with faux ivory grips and it had a short barrel without an ejector rod, much like a Colt Shopkeeper's Model. It also came with a .22 Magnum cylinder. I remember the gun was heavy but felt good in my hand. I also recall how loud the .22 Magnums were when I shot them out of that short barrel! Back in the early to mid '70s these guns had a retail price of around $60 to $70.

 

[finfanatic]

My father used to have a J P Sauer and Sons Montana Marshall in .44 magnum. I think the gunbelt he got to carry it cost more than the gun. That was the first .44 mag I ever shot. Thanks for bringing back the memories.

 

[Pivot Dr]

My first handgun was a Hawes Western Marshal. Bought it at at a Gibsons in Lawton, Oklahoma when I was stationed at Ft. Sill in 1971. It was a good shooter. I traded it to a guy straight across for a Colt Huntsman. It didn’t feed well so I traded it for a then newly made Mitchell High Standard. What a beautiful gun, wouldn’t feed, barrel and breach block made out of soft steel, broken firing pins, broken trigger transfer bar. Was on a first name basis with customer service and shop foreman at Mitchell having sent it back so many times. Ended up making my own firing pin, though I found a guy that bought all the High Standard parts when they went out of business and got two new pins from him, mine’s still in it. Haven't shot it in years, it takes all day to shoot up a box of shells! I’d probably trade it straight across for a nice Western Marshall. It ate anything I fed it and went bang every time I pulled the trigger. The beautiful Mitchell won’t do that!