Rare 38 Super Browning/Sig BDAs

[DocHawk]

I'm a confessed Sig fan fanboy, so I like collecting some of the rarer examples. Back before Sig was Sig-Sauer, they were bound by strict Swiss export laws. Partnering with W Germany's JP Sauer & Sohn in 1976, they produced their guns in Eckernforde and began exporting to the world.

Before Sig Sauer was an approved importer into the US, they ran their first imports through Hawes Firearms, and Browning. The Sig Sauer P220 was the first of these rebranded guns, and was marketed as the Browning Double Action Pistol - the BDA.

The BDA was imported for only three short years, after which Sig Sauer was a registered US manufacturer for their own products. It had the Euro-style heel magazine release, which limited its success, but the modern design was undeniably effective. Approximately 10,000 sold in 45ACP, and another ~2700 in 9mm.

The rarest of all was the BDA chambered in. 38 Super. Only 750 or so of these rare Sigs were imported under the Browning partnership, and they are one of the hardest early US Sig handguns to find.

I'm pleased to have come across two over the years, and I snagged them both. Note they have an unusual slide profile at the muzzle. This is alternately called a "pinched" or "dolphin" nose, and was unique to the ~3400 9mm and 38 Super BDA's.

Edited February 23 by DocHawk

[hipower]

Very Nice! Envious of the .38 Super Model. I had the opportunity to shoot one in the mid 80s. I liked it. A lot. LOL. Tried to talk my brother-in-law out of it...without success. 

[History Researcher]

Very nice.  Was the mag release switched after those 3 years? 

[gregintenn]

Thanks for sharing. Those are interesting, and you are a better gun writer than many who make a living at it.

[Grayfox54]

Rare indeed. That's the unicorn of the Sig world. I've never seen one except in pictures. You are a very lucky man. 

[kwe45919]

Thank you for the information. Very sweet rare firearms indeed.

[DocHawk]

On 2/21/2024 at 7:39 PM, History Researcher said:

Very nice.  Was the mag release switched after those 3 years? 

Yes, when they began US production, they addressed the North American market's primary complaint, and incorporated a thumb release.