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W. German P220 and a question (pic heavy)

This topic can be found at:
https://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/430601935/m/9620024934

March 21, 2018, 07:12 PM
donklekins
W. German P220 and a question (pic heavy)
After purchasing a first Sig from a friend (and a forum member) a little over 2 weeks ago, I find myself with a second P220 - this one is an incredibly clean W. German from '94, I don't think it been fired more than a handful of times in the last 24 years.
I had popped into a local shop in search of holster for my FNX when it caught my eye and the FNX was soon traded for this beaut. It was an absolute impulse move but I think I did really well.

So, my question is in regards to the cleaning kit. I was told by the shop owner that this is one of the W. German kits, with the wooden cleaning rod and that these kits were usually removed/replaced upon importation to the U.S. Can anyone confirm this?

Thanks















You get about what you pay for in this world, be it guns, autos, whiskey or clothes. Start with the best gun you can afford.
- Elmer Keith
March 21, 2018, 07:20 PM
GaryBF
I never heard of such a claim in my years here. I have never seen any such cleaning kit posted. Sounds like gun store BS to me.
March 21, 2018, 07:38 PM
P-220
Not sure about the cleaning kit.

Congratulations on what I consider the finest vintage for P-220's. I hope yours treats you as well as mine has treated me.


Niech Zyje P-220

Steve
March 21, 2018, 07:44 PM
12131
I'm with Gary on this one. I've seen such kits, but the story is BS.


Q






March 21, 2018, 07:56 PM
David Lee
Beautiful pistol! I've had 2 or 3 of those kits. Gunbroker purchases however. It would be useful in your range bag.
March 21, 2018, 07:57 PM
.38supersig
quote:
Originally posted by donklekins:
... an absolute impulse move but I think I did really well.


Heck yeah! Thats a sweet looking P220 you have there.

Welcome to the forum.



March 21, 2018, 08:09 PM
remsig
That 220 is gorgeous and in excellent condition. You did really well! As far as the cleaning kit, I've never seen them come with a gun; as the others have said, I think the gun store was feeding you a line of crap.

Congratulations on a great pick up and welcome to the forum.
March 21, 2018, 08:11 PM
GaryBF
Now that I see the kit, I have to believe they exist. Could it be that SIG US was usually removing them so there would be room for the mandatory gun lock? Since this is a previously owned gun, the cleaning kit may have been acquired separately. Interesting.

OP, did you get a test target with the gun?
March 21, 2018, 08:15 PM
donklekins
quote:
Originally posted by GaryBF:
Now that I see the kit, I have to believe they exist. Could it be that SIG US was usually removing them so there would be room for the mandatory gun lock? Since this is a previously owned gun, the cleaning kit may have been acquired separately. Interesting.

OP, did you get a test target with the gun?


Unfortunately there was no test target.


You get about what you pay for in this world, be it guns, autos, whiskey or clothes. Start with the best gun you can afford.
- Elmer Keith
March 21, 2018, 08:28 PM
TikritTourist
Heck with the cleaning kit, that is one nice P220!
Let us know how it shoots!


Tomorrow’s battle is won during today’s practice.
- Samurai maxim
March 21, 2018, 08:35 PM
hjs157
The SIG cleaning kit in question pre-dates your KE coded P220 by a number of years. As I recall, this kit was sold as an early accessory. I've examined a number of P220's over the years - to my knowledge none were delivered with a factory supplied cleaning kit. Prior to mid-1994 P220's were shipped in a foam lined cardboard box which lacked a compartment to house such a kit. Further, if SIG began supplying a cleaning kit in 1994, it is unlikely it would have been the kit pictured but rather a simple wire bore brush and/or a plastic rod. I suspect the dealer is mistaken, repeating gun shop lore or pulling your leg.
March 21, 2018, 09:48 PM
donklekins
quote:
Originally posted by hjs157:
The SIG cleaning kit in question pre-dates your KE coded P220 by a number of years. As I recall, this kit was sold as an early accessory.


Thanks for the info. When do you date the cleaning kit in question?


You get about what you pay for in this world, be it guns, autos, whiskey or clothes. Start with the best gun you can afford.
- Elmer Keith
March 21, 2018, 11:06 PM
hjs157
quote:
Originally posted by donklekins:

Thanks for the info. When do you date the cleaning kit in question?


From memory, I'm guessing mid-1980's.
March 22, 2018, 12:09 AM
YooperSigs
Outstanding buy! The cleaning kit is a new one on me.


End of Earth: 2 Miles
Upper Peninsula: 4 Miles
March 22, 2018, 05:10 AM
CAR
SIGARMS sold those cleaning kits as an accessory in the mid to late 1980s to early 1990's.

They were made either in Switzerland or Italy and SIGARMS charged $14.95 for them back in the day.

The pistol case you have is US made and was also sold as an accessory by SIGARMS in the 1990's. I think for a short period SIG might have offered the case free with a pistol purchase as an incentive.

There was a deluxe shooter's kit sold in Europe that had the pistol, cleaning kit, Peltor ear muffs, sight adjusting tool, can of Ballistol and a .22 caliber conversion kit in a lockable briefcase type carrying case.
March 22, 2018, 08:53 AM
donklekins
CAR, Thanks for the great info. Now that I know it was an optional accessory, I wonder if the cleaning kit would be something a collector would want? It is unlikely that I will ever use it.


You get about what you pay for in this world, be it guns, autos, whiskey or clothes. Start with the best gun you can afford.
- Elmer Keith
March 22, 2018, 12:26 PM
squid8286
Very nice purchase! I have a W. German 220 and a 226, and neither came with a cleaning kit. I have seen those for sale, but I can't remember where at the moment.
March 22, 2018, 12:42 PM
12131
quote:
Originally posted by CAR:
The pistol case you have is US made and was also sold as an accessory by SIGARMS in the 1990's. I think for a short period SIG might have offered the case free with a pistol purchase as an incentive.

I have no ideas what you're talking about. The case in the OP is the the gray plastic case that the SIG pistols came in from the factory (SIG Germany) around the mid-90s.




Q






March 22, 2018, 12:49 PM
12131
You probably were talking about this case here, which is different from the one above. I happened to have one that I'm using to store PROTO-1.
Some early 90s P229s were actually shipped to the market from SIG inside this case. I've seen them, complete even with with the soft outer cardboard sleeve.




Q






March 22, 2018, 01:58 PM
GP229
quote:
Originally posted by hjs157:Further, if SIG began supplying a cleaning kit in 1994, it is unlikely it would have been the kit pictured but rather a simple wire bore brush and/or a plastic rod. .

Interesting, as my '94 P229 has a kit in a different style fabric bag. Looks like the case was possibly made to accommodate it, as it is in the same case as the OP.