WattsAmerica
Member
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....
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?
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
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?