When I began catching up the serial list, I arbitrarily sorted the BDAs using the Browning code sequence. I have since reread a paragraph in H.P. Doebeli's book Die SIG Pistolen. It basically says that the four digit BDA numbers began at 1001 and were applied in sequence regardless of caliber. I would like your opinion as to which sort you would like. Just remember that Para gets the last vote
Here is how a pure numerical serial sort would look:
Browning BDA
Serials began with 1001 and sequence regardless of caliber

-375RR-1063-HH-1977-38super = ?
-395RR-1087-HH 1977 45acp = Tooky13
-345RR-1101-HH-1977-9mm = Buster3029
-345RT-1292-HH-1977-9mm = reganhouse
-345RT-13XX-HH-1977-9mm = Lelandii
-375RR-1310-HH-1977-38super = cherokee2u
-375RR-1322-HH-1977-38super = reganhouse
-395RP-1414-HJ-1978-45acp = prowen
-345RR-1494-HH-1977-9mm = Orthogonal
-395RP-15XX-HJ-1978-45acp = roberth
-375RR-16XX-HH-1977-38super = Lelandii
-345RT-1606-HH-1977-9mm = blindref
-375RR-1723-HH-1977-38super = Buster30290
-345RT-1728-HH-1977-9mm
-345RR-1786 HH 1977 9mm = mbliss57
-345RT-18XX-HH-1977-9mm = roberth
-345RR-1940-HH-1977-9mm = David Lee
-345RR-2173-HH-1977-9mm = MidWesternBoy
-395RP-2541-HJ-1978-45acp = David Lee
-345RR-2599-HH-1977-9mm = MusProd
-395RR-3006-HH-1977-45acp = reganhouse
-395RR-3567-HH-1977-45acp = NMDave
-395RP-39XX-HJ-1978-45acp-reverse proof marks = Lelandii
-395RR-4193-HJ-1978-45acp = Noah Zark
-395RR-4329-HJ-1978-45acp = David Lee
-395RP-4482-HJ-1978-45acp
-395RP-49XX-HJ-1978-45acp = sleepla8er
-395RP-5200-HJ-1978-45acp = bcsd372
-395RP-6829-HK-1979-45acp = Buster30290
-395RP-6903-HK-1979-45acp = DucS2R
-395RP-7055-HK-1979-45acp = gis
-396RP-7396-JA-1980-7.65 = Dusty Dave

Very cool to learn that and agree with the correct order being the BDA specific number beginning with 1001. Good indicator for production sequence regardless of caliber. So now armed with the info you shared, I can see mine was the 2,566th BDA produced and just happens to be in .45.

Thanks Udo for taking on the gatekeeper role for the list. It really helps me when trying to date a gun.

My vote is for a sequential list of the four digit numeral regardless of caliber code.

I vote for the list as shown, didn't realize mine was one of the first 100 made.

Yup,

This way makes a lot more sense.

I should have a few P226s for the list soon.

Think I have only submitted my pistols from Italy so far.

Towards the end of the BDA serialized range, the BDA frames were used for early P220s (mine has a 1065 catalog number - 7.65 for Italy) and the slide no longer carried the "Browning" or "SIG-Sauer System" markings. The BDA style serial numbers were still present (frame, slide, and barrel). The barrel has the Serial number and says SIG SAUER. Curious if anyone has more information. SN 7392

The list as you've shown it above makes sense to me. It might be an interesting way to see batches and trends, if there are any.

quote:

Originally posted by Germain:
Towards the end of the BDA serialized range, the BDA frames were used for early P220s (mine has a 1065 catalog number - 7.65 for Italy) and the slide no longer carried the "Browning" or "SIG-Sauer System" markings. The BDA style serial numbers were still present (frame, slide, and barrel). The barrel has the Serial number and says SIG SAUER. Curious if anyone has more information. SN 7392

That’s a remarkable first post. There are many here that would love to encounter a 7.65.
In 1980 Sauer produced a burst of P220s in 7.65. They used a wide selection of reserved serials. The number produced is unknown to me, but others here may have a better idea.
For example the lowest P220 serial was proofed in 1980 and the last BDA recorded was a 7.65 proofed in 1980. look at the p220 list at G 106 2XX for some similar markings. There is a strong likelihood that your pistol was produced in that same group. If I recall correctly there is a member that has a BDA marked similar to yours
I am sure others will chime in. Welcome aboard!

Thanks for all the information. Always curious about the BDAs/P220s. I suspect the #7396 listed above could also be marked P220 based on production order. My P220 had a hand written label and blue plastic box. Wondering if SIG made these BDA/P220s before starting the G100001 series? (Will figure out how to post a picture before too long.)

Cool!

They did make a few 7.65mm BDA pistols. They are rare.

The 7.65mm P220 is more common and can be found with a little effort.

Welcome to the forum!

quote:

Originally posted by .38supersig:
They did make a few 7.65mm BDA pistols. They are rare.

The 7.65mm P220 is more common and can be found with a little effort.

What about the 7.65 gun with Browning type serial number but no Browning markings anywhere on the gun? Instead, it has "SIG SAUER" on it. That's what I gather from Germain's post about his gun.

A P220 with BDA SN was listed on an auction site a ways back. No BDA markings. It had the BDA "395" SN markings that indicated it would have been a 45 BDA, but there was a 1065 marking on the frame indicating an export model for Italy (7.65). Note it was for sale with a 9mm barrel. Unknown if the barrel was serialized to the frame. Sorry, Can't get photo to post.



It was produced at the end of BDA serial number range, and marked as an early P220.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Germain,

quote:

Originally posted by Germain:
Wondering if SIG made these BDA/P220s before starting the G100001 series? (Will figure out how to post a picture before too long.)

I think we can comfortably determine that P220s were being made well before the Hawes and Browning marked examples were made for the USA market. For instance, I have a p220 prospectus from SIG to the Swaziland Defence Force offering the new pistol for sale. It is dated May 1975! Also we have very little reference to the Swiss Army production of the P75. I feel comfortable saying that P75s were being made in good numbers before the „G“ commercial series made its way to market. I can assure that the forum would be thrilled to see your photos.

I've got one in each of the more normally seen calibers, i'll check serial numbers tonite... how do I go about adding my numbers to the list, I'm not sure if Udo is the "keeper" of this or not...

^^^ Post your guns' info in the Serial Numbers thread stickied at the top of this forum. Udo is the manager of the list. He will incorporate the into the master list.

quote:

Originally posted by Udo:

quote:

Originally posted by Germain:
Towards the end of the BDA serialized range, the BDA frames were used for early P220s (mine has a 1065 catalog number - 7.65 for Italy) and the slide no longer carried the "Browning" or "SIG-Sauer System" markings. The BDA style serial numbers were still present (frame, slide, and barrel). The barrel has the Serial number and says SIG SAUER. Curious if anyone has more information. SN 7392

That’s a remarkable first post. There are many here that would love to encounter a 7.65.
In 1980 Sauer produced a burst of P220s in 7.65. They used a wide selection of reserved serials. The number produced is unknown to me, but others here may have a better idea.
For example the lowest P220 serial was proofed in 1980 and the last BDA recorded was a 7.65 proofed in 1980. look at the p220 list at G 106 2XX for some similar markings. There is a strong likelihood that your pistol was produced in that same group. If I recall correctly there is a member that has a BDA marked similar to yours
I am sure others will chime in. Welcome aboard!

Sonny71 375RR 1489 HH 38 Super

quote:

Originally posted by Udo:

quote:

Originally posted by Germain:
Wondering if SIG made these BDA/P220s before starting the G100001 series? (Will figure out how to post a picture before too long.)

I can assure that the forum would be thrilled to see your photos.

This is the pic that Germain had:

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:

quote:

Originally posted by .38supersig:
They did make a few 7.65mm BDA pistols. They are rare.

The 7.65mm P220 is more common and can be found with a little effort.

What about the 7.65 gun with Browning type serial number but no Browning markings anywhere on the gun? Instead, it has "SIG SAUER" on it. That's what I gather from Germain's post about his gun.

Hey, I forgot about this one.

Seems I was able to pick up 395 RP 7477 with a serialized 7.65mm barrel, but with the Sig Sauer P220 markings.

It may be similar to the P220 that Germain was referring to. It was proofed in 1979 (HK).

While I do not have the target or the original box, they do exist.

I own the P220 in 7.65P. Here's a few more pics.