W German P226 what can you tell me about it

[MikeSmith]

So I bought this W German Sig P226 a couple years ago and still don't know too much about it. It has all the West German proof marks but also says Exeter, NH. What does that mean?

I also was wondering about the wear on the top of the barrel. It seems like it was maybe polished? As the frame rails don't seem to me like they are worn that much. They are just starting to rub through the anodized finish in a couple small spots. All the serial numbers are matching, frame, barrel, and slide. The date code is KA.
Thanks.

[Barbarosa]

Nice gun.

Everything you ever wanted to know about German vs W. German Sigs:

https://www.realgunreviews.com/is-my-made-in-germany-or-west-germany-sig-really-german/

[P5Ret]

Looks like an early transition gun, that was assembled in Exeter, although I don't recall ever seeing one that had a W. German marked slide, and a German frame. KA date code puts it a a 1990 gun.

That's not wear on top of the chamber, that's the way it comes from the factory. Some people polish that area a bit more than what the factory does but that looks like it does straight out of the box. Smiley's on the top front of the barrel are common wear in Sigs.

[MikeSmith]

I read that article it looks like Sig was set up in USA to strictly import them from Germany. In 1990, which is the date of this gun, Sig moved to Exeter NH to start manufacturing but didn't actually manufactur a gun until 1992. So this gun was made in West Germany and proof tested there and imported to Exeter, NH to sell. Definitely an early transition gun. Interesting.

[QXSOUP]

Made in 1990. It's great example of the 226's from that era. The grips are not original of course.

the pistol is 100% made in Germany. Someone at one time replaced the roll pins that hold the breechblock in. It looks like it hasn't been shot very much judging from the wear on the barrel. Keep the barrel and the rails lubed with a good quality grease and it will outlast you.

[SkyHawk]

I also have a 1989 and a 1990 W German P226, and neither of them look like that. Mine are both triple serial guns with none of those Exeter markings on the frame, or *any* country notations on the frame. My 1989 gun has "Herndon-VA" on the slide, not Exeter. I will have to dig out the 1990 and see what it has. I will post pics of my 1990 gun when I dig it out.

Does the barrel have a serial number on the chamber that matches the frame and slide? And yes, the breech block roll pin has been replaced with a modern style.

I guess that the 'Exeter' notation on the frame could be an import mark. But I am not so sure this gun wasn't assembled in the USA. Sig might not have started making frames or slides for guns in the USA until 1992, but does that mean they weren't assembling guns from parts before then?

[MikeSmith]

I also have a 1989 and a 1990 W German P226, and neither of them look like that. Mine are both triple serial guns with none of those Exeter markings on the frame, or *any* country notations on the frame. My 1989 gun has "Herndon-VA" on the slide, not Exeter. I will have to dig out the 1990 and see what it has. I will post pics of my 1990 gun when I dig it out.

Does the barrel have a serial number on the chamber that matches the frame and slide? And yes, the breech block roll pin has been replaced with a modern style.

I guess that the 'Exeter' notation on the frame could be an import mark. But I am not so sure this gun wasn't assembled in the USA. Sig might not have started making frames or slides for guns in the USA until 1992, but does that mean they weren't assembling guns from parts before then?

Yes please do post pictures. According to the article posted above Sig originally setup shop in VA to strictly import the guns. In 1990 they moved to Exeter to start production but were still importing them for the first couple years. Mine is a 1990, 100% made in W. Germany. It has all 3 matching serial numbers and the West German proof marks on barrel, frame, and slide.

So this gun is a first example of SIG moving to Exeter, NH and continuing their same operations as they were doing in Verndon VA. Strictly importing guns from Germany because they weren't quite set up yet to manufacture.

[oddjob]

My only concern are the "mud rails/scalloped rails" on the older 226's. I had one and sold it. Anyways the scalloped rails were the weak part of the gun and were known to crack. Google "scalloped Sig 226 rails" and you'll find several articles, posts and etc about them. Sig gunsmith Bruce Gray said the same thing to me. I think if you shoot non plus-p rounds you should be fine.

[SkyHawk]

Yes please do post pictures. According to the article posted above Sig originally setup shop in VA to strictly import the guns. In 1990 they moved to Exeter to start production but were still importing them for the first couple years. Mine is a 1990, 100% made in W. Germany. It has all 3 matching serial numbers and the West German proof marks on barrel, frame, and slide.

So this gun is a first example of SIG moving to Exeter, NH and continuing their same operations as they were doing in Verndon VA. Strictly importing guns from Germany because they weren't quite set up yet to manufacture.

OK that makes sense and explains the markings on the frame. I will try and get some pics of my 1990 up in a few days.

[sigstroker]

Made in 1990. It's great example of the 226's from that era. The grips are not original of course.

the pistol is 100% made in Germany. Someone at one time replaced the roll pins that hold the breechblock in. It looks like it hasn't been shot very much judging from the wear on the barrel. Keep the barrel and the rails lubed with a good quality grease and it will outlast you.

Actually, it looks like it has been shot a fair amount judging by the wear on the frame rails, unless the camera flash is messing up the image. The anodizing on the frames is really amazing. I put at least a couple thousand rounds through my first one before I saw any wear at all.

[rvr350]

In my opinion, the frame wear is acceptable for the age. As long as the color hasn't turned bright silver, it is still well within spec. The golden red color is just part of the treatment sig put on.

[SkyHawk]

Those rails look very good to me. Keep them greased and they will last a long time.

[MikeSmith]

Good to know about the chamber being polished from the factory. I've been putting white lithium grease on the rails ever since i bought it. Judging from the wear I'd assume it has 500-1000 rounds through it. Not bad considering the age. It's my favorite/best feeling gun by far so it won't be sold. Better ergos than the S&W 3rd gens of the same era. I actually like it better than the Sig P227 equinox i had before it. There's something about the balance that just feels 'right' about it.

[_TomT_]

It looks like someone cerakoted it, I could be wrong because my slide was blued and the anodization was more shiny; its a gud gun keep it.

[Broham85]

Definitely a keeper and outright shooter.