There is one available locally (actually two but only one with the manual). It has the test target, box, manual and two magazines. It’s a Herndon version from 1988. I haven’t seen it in person, but supposedly a safe queen.

What range of value should I expect to pay?

I checked gun broker and most weren’t quite as expensive as this one but also weren’t close to ending. I couldn’t figure out how to check sold listings on my phone.

The mud rails were gone by 1988, right? Anything else to look for specific to this model and year?

yes, the scalloped rails were gone by 1988.
The pistol type you ask about should have the reinforced Frame (3rd type) and the improved slide (2nd type). This version became standard until the solid slide was introduced.

Questions for you:
How important is "safe queen" to you?
Do you plan to shoot this gun, or just admire it?

If the gun is really that pristine, you can expect to pay $700 and maybe more. If you then shoot it, you will diminish its resale value. Are you ready for that?

There are many very good folded slide P226s out there for less. I understand the desire for the fabled W. German folded slide guns-I've done that. Parts are much harder to find these days. If you can get for $600, go for it.

Thanks. I’d definitely want to shoot it some. I may hold off and wait for it to drop in price or find one cheaper somewhere else.

Its unlikely to be unshot all these years so shooting it probably wont hurt its value any. If you get it for a "good" price I would have no reservations about shooting it. That is unless you knew for sure it was 100% unfired all these years. Good luck, hope you get it.

quote:

Originally posted by Tall Pine:
Its unlikely to be unshot all these years so shooting it probably wont hurt its value any. If you get it for a "good" price I would have no reservations about shooting it. That is unless you knew for sure it was 100% unfired all these years. Good luck, hope you get it.

I’m sure it’s not unfired. Safe queen means different things to different people, but the safe queens that I have are not unfired.

quote:

Originally posted by OTD:
yes, the scalloped rails were gone by 1988.
The pistol type you ask about should have the reinforced Frame (3rd type) and the improved slide (2nd type). This version became standard until the solid slide was introduced.

I have a JE P226 in excellent condition. What do you mean by “scalloped rails”?

Scalloped rails are what have been dubbed "mud rails" on internet forums. They are scalloped shaped cut-outs along and in the frame rails and were on some P226s made in 1986 and maybe into 1987. These guns were imported by SIGARMS when it was in Tysons Corner. The purpose for the cut-outs has been debated, but they are suspected of weakening the frame rails causing them to crack under sustained shooting of hot loads. A photo would show what they look like, but unfortunately, I don't have one.

quote:

Originally posted by wgsigs:
Scalloped rails are what have been dubbed "mud rails" on internet forums. They are scalloped shaped cut-outs along and in the frame rails and were on some P226s made in 1986 and maybe into 1987. These guns were imported by SIGARMS when it was in Tysons Corner. The purpose for the cut-outs has been debated, but they are suspected of weakening the frame rails causing them to crack under sustained shooting of hot loads. A photo would show what they look like, but unfortunately, I don't have one.

Thank you for the explanation.
I have 2 W. German P226; one a JE, the others Jk. I examined the rails and they seem not to have the scalloping.

Never have quite understood the reasoning behind having a gun that has never been shot.... then again, I don't really have the resources to buy something like that and just put it away and pull it out every once and a while and just look at it.

there is an analogy I'm thinking of that has to do with a good looking young woman and such but it is politically incorrect at the this point in time to go any further......

quote:

Originally posted by fquico:

quote:

Originally posted by wgsigs:
Scalloped rails are what have been dubbed "mud rails" on internet forums. They are scalloped shaped cut-outs along and in the frame rails and were on some P226s made in 1986 and maybe into 1987. These guns were imported by SIGARMS when it was in Tysons Corner. The purpose for the cut-outs has been debated, but they are suspected of weakening the frame rails causing them to crack under sustained shooting of hot loads. A photo would show what they look like, but unfortunately, I don't have one.

Thank you for the explanation.
I have 2 W. German P226; one a JE, the others Jk. I examined the rails and they seem not to have the scalloping.

quote:

Originally posted by Sig Sauer Kraut:
There is one available locally (actually two but only one with the manual). It has the test target, box, manual and two magazines. It’s a Herndon version from 1988. I haven’t seen it in person, but supposedly a safe queen.

What range of value should I expect to pay?

I checked gun broker and most weren’t quite as expensive as this one but also weren’t close to ending. I couldn’t figure out how to check sold listings on my phone.

The mud rails were gone by 1988, right? Anything else to look for specific to this model and year?

What's the asking price?

tp

quote:

Originally posted by g4tx:

quote:

Originally posted by Sig Sauer Kraut:
There is one available locally (actually two but only one with the manual). It has the test target, box, manual and two magazines. It’s a Herndon version from 1988. I haven’t seen it in person, but supposedly a safe queen.

What range of value should I expect to pay?

I checked gun broker and most weren’t quite as expensive as this one but also weren’t close to ending. I couldn’t figure out how to check sold listings on my phone.

The mud rails were gone by 1988, right? Anything else to look for specific to this model and year?

What's the asking price?

tp

$750. I don’t think it’s unreasonable, but it’s not something I have to have right now if patience will get one for a couple hundred cheaper.

And to clarify, it’s not unshot, just supposedly really good condition.

I had a mudrail gun.

The thing rattled like a coffee can half full of bolts but it shot great and had the best trigger pull I have ever felt on a 226, and having experience as a gunstore clerk at a SIG jobber, I have tested a few! LOL.

My son got it then sold it and replaced it with a 2022 which has a trigger even better. He gets all the good ones!!

There's a beauty over in the classifieds right now for 575 shipped. Great deal.

I had a really nice West German P226 back in the day...

It was not a Herndon...

(I lived in Herndon for 12 years!)

Wish I still had it.

I don't think $750 is a bad price if it is good shape and has all the original items.

quote:

Originally posted by Sig M11:
I had a really nice West German P226 back in the day...

It was not a Herndon...

(I lived in Herndon for 12 years!)

Wish I still had it.

I don't think $750 is a bad price if it is good shape and has all the original items.

i used to live near Herndon also. Thanks for your feedback. The one similar one I found on gunbroker is now about that price. I guess I need to make some decisions.

Sold a LNIB 226 (gray cardboard) for 950 on Friday before I put in on the table. As you might note the prices are rising for nice West German Sigs. The buyer was ticketed to death that he found such a good price for the 226. People are looking for them. Also have a like new factory nickel with mud rails that is a keeper. There is nothing wrong with mud rails-rumors abound. The 226 that you are looking at is as they say is cheaper than a mop.

quote:

Originally posted by 1lowlife:

Thanks, 1lowlife. I was hoping someone on here had a photo of "scalloped rails" and would post it.

To me personally a LNIB old German SIG with all the stuff is worth at most what a brand new model would cost.

To follow up on this thread. The German 226s are still for sale locally. However, the lack of interest he’s received made him increase the price from $750 each to $1200 each.