Welcome, if you’re a newcomer to this enjoyable bi-weekly section of AllOutdoor.com! The final time round I coated the historical past of a German-made revolver that was as soon as extraordinarily frequent however has since drifted into obscurity. This time (as a consequence of that obscurity) we’re closing out the outdated J.P. Sauer & Sohn Western Marshal. Let’s dive proper into the rabbit gap!
Welcome to our recurring sequence of “Curious Relics.” Right here, we need to share all of our experiences, information, misadventures, and fervour for older firearms that one may categorize as a Curio & Relic – any firearm that’s a minimum of 50 years outdated in line with the ATF. Hopefully alongside the way in which you may garner a larger appreciation for older firearms like we do, and concurrently you may train us issues as nicely by sharing your personal experience and ideas within the Feedback. Understanding the firearms of outdated, their significance, and their growth which result in lots of the arms we now cherish as we speak is extremely fascinating and we hope you get pleasure from what now we have to share, too!
Variations: J.P. Sauer & Sohn Western Marshal
Hy Hunter Western Six Shooter: These have been the primary of what would change into the generic Western Marshal sequence after Hy Hunter left the image. Catalogs on the time point out that they’ve the identical measurement and weight because the “Peacemaker”. They listing three barrel lengths (4.25”,5.5”, and seven.5”) and a complete host of cartridge choices. They have been marketed to be chambered in 22, 38 Particular, 45 Lengthy Colt, and 357 Atomic. Sure, you heard proper…357 Atomic (we should cowl in a POTD). The lengthy story quick on that cartridge is that it isn’t and probably by no means was a factor however 357 Magnum and 38 Particular work simply fantastic in these weapons. These weapons and their cartridges are held over from the Nice Western Firearms Firm days. By the seems of it, all of them got here “blued” with wooden, fake stag, or fake pearl grips.
The Hawes Marshal Sequence: Through the Hawes firm stint importing and promoting principally the identical stuff as Hy Hunter did that they had some variations of their very own. Cartridge choices have been 22, 357 Magnum (and 38 Particular), 45 Lengthy Colt, and 44 Magnum. Some included convertible cylinders to transform to 9mm, 441-40, and 45 ACP. Barrel lengths that I’ve seen are 3”, 4.25”, 5.5”, 6”, 6.5”, and seven.5”. One vital notice is that these revolvers had each small-frame and large-frame choices.
- Western Marshal– Totally blued body, cylinder, and barrel. Brass set off guard and backstrap. Fake stag grips or rosewood grips.
- Montana Marshal – Totally blued body, set off guard, backstrap, cylinder, and barrel. Talked about to be a “deluxe” mannequin. Rosewood grips.
- Deputy Marshal – Totally blued body, cylinder, and barrel. 4.25 Barrel and chambered in 22. Black rubber grips or fake pearl.
- Federal Marshal – Colour case hardened body, black barrel, and cylinder, brass backstrap and set off guard, one-piece walnut grip.
- Chief Marshal – “Goal mannequin” Outsized body and grips. Grips are manufactured from rosewood. Adjustable goal sights.
- Texas Marshal – Totally nickeled and fake pearl grips.
- Silver Metropolis Marshal – “Nickeled” body, blued cylinder and barrel, brass backstrap and set off guard, fake pearl grips.
Courting: J.P. Sauer & Sohn Western Marshal
Courting these revolvers is just about inconceivable. I don’t see any markings on mine anyway that may lead me to surmise a date. Nonetheless, given the leaps and gaps in manufacturing and producers, we will guess or a minimum of have a date vary for some stuff. For instance, in case you have any of the early Nice Western Arms Firm revolvers it was a destiny vary of round 1957 to 1959. There could also be some bleed over into 1960 however I’m simply as not sure about these things as I used to be two weeks in the past.
The true Hy Hunter period was from round 1960 till roughly 1964/1965 when the Hy Hunter model went by some authorized points. The weapons have been nonetheless made by J.P. Sauer & Sohn however I’m not sure of who (may have been a number of firms) took up the mantle of importation and distribution. By 1967, the Hawes Firearms Firm is fashioned by a former worker of the Hy Hunter conglomerate and begins importing and distributing the beforehand talked about revolvers beneath the Hawes title. For instance, my barrel is marked with the “J.P. Sauer & Sohn” and the body has “Hawes Western Marshal”. Early Hawes revolvers will nonetheless be marked “Western Six Shooter” since they have been most likely a carryover from outdated components and inventory. This information hole is a bit of finer from 1967 to 1968. The Hawes model (and possibly others) imported and distributed these revolvers till roughly 1980.
Specs: J.P. Sauer & Sohn Western Marshal
The specs for probably the most half are attributed to my revolver alone. It’s a J.P. Sauer & Sohn Hawes Western Marshal chambered in 22. It’s a single-action revolver constructed extraordinarily just like the Colt Single Motion Military. Every part operates the identical. The firing pin is mounted to the body which is taken into account outdated because it doesn’t have a switch bar. This characteristic is one factor that led to supposed accidents, negligent discharges, and accidents brought on by defects. Like with the Colt Single Motion Military the half cock doesn’t function a security.
- Years Produced: From roughly 1957 to 1980
- MSRP In 1975: Roughly $80 ($441.35 in 2022)
- Chambering: 22 Lengthy Rifle
- Barrel Size: 3”, 4.25”, 5.5”, 6”, 6.5”, and seven.5”
- Weight: Roughly 34 Ounces
- Motion: Single Motion
- Capability: 6
- Entrance Sight: Fastened Entrance Brief Half Moon
- Rear Sight: Prime Strap Groove
- Grip: Rosewood, Fake Stag, Fake Pearl, Black Rubber.
Aftermarket Components & Equipment: J.P. Sauer & Sohn Western Marshal
So far as aftermarket components the outcomes are promising however few. Apart from the outdated hold-out eBay the primary supply for something out of the J.P. Sauer & Sohn revolver catalog is Numrich. Surprisingly they’ve a complete host of components for every body measurement. Maybe, sure not an enormous number of components however the ones that matter to make a damaged gun not damaged. I used to be not capable of finding many different sources apart from Hog Island Gun Components which I’ve by no means heard of earlier than. I did discover some grip units on gungrip.com. Past these sources, I used to be unable to trace down any type of official equipment.
Vary Time: J.P. Sauer & Sohn Western Marshal
Vary time with the J.P. Sauer & Sohn Hawes Western Marshal was hopeful. I say that as a result of I personal or have shot a few the frequent pot metallic single-action revolvers which might be in the marketplace as of late and I both carry out very poorly with them or they genuinely don’t shoot nicely. I clearly am nonetheless hoping it’s the latter of the 2. The J.P. Sauer & Sohn Hawes Western Marshal truly shot fairly nicely. It grouped decently and persistently nevertheless it had one noticeable flaw. It shot about three or 4 inches excessive at 15 yards. This was fantastic with me in the meanwhile as a result of I may merely purpose that a lot under my meant bullseye. The entrance sight blade is apparent and just too quick. Most single-action military clones have ginormous entrance sight blades so changes could be made if want be. If it continues to hassle me that a lot I’ll go forward and alter or exchange the entrance sight. The set off was honest and the smoothness of the motion is softer than that of the clanky trendy pot metallic weapons. The fake stag grips go away so much to be desired however they’re a relic of their time and match their worth.
Last Ideas: J.P. Sauer & Sohn Western Marshal
After I picked up the J.P. Sauer & Sohn Western Marshal in 22 I had excessive hopes. It was delivered for probably the most half. I can shortly and precisely shoot as long as I maintain just a few inches low. The motion is delicate and clean. The loading and unloading is speedy and environment friendly, in contrast to another revolvers that don’t index completely according to the ejector. The fake stag grips are a bit old style and cheesy however I hope to make some walnut ones quickly sufficient. All in all, I actually benefit from the J.P. Sauer & Sohn Western Marshal!
In closing, I hope our Curious Relics section knowledgeable in addition to entertained. This all was written in hopes of continued firearm appreciation and preservation. We didn’t simply understand how weapons have been presupposed to look and performance. It was an extended and tedious course of that has formed the world we reside in. So, I put it to you! Is there a firearm on the market that you simply really feel doesn’t get a lot notoriety? What ought to our subsequent Curious Relics matter cowl? As at all times, tell us your whole ideas within the Feedback under! We at all times admire your suggestions.
