Made in West Germany before the 1994 production shift, these P226 and P228 pistols came to us through police and service trade-ins. Every West German SIG P226 for sale here is graded, photographed individually, and sold as the exact pistol you see.
What West German Means
These pistols left SIG Sauer’s Eckernförde plant while Germany was still divided, stamped “Made in W. Germany” — the stamped-and-welded frames collectors chase. Most arrive as police and service trade-ins: honest holster wear outside, inspected bores and mechanics where it counts.
Each one is graded and photographed as the exact pistol you’ll receive. The Swiss P220 is close family and turns up in the case too — find it through the model links below.
Common Questions
How does buying a firearm online from Old Steel Arsenal work?
Every firearm ships to a licensed FFL dealer of your choice — pick your dealer at checkout and we handle the transfer paperwork and shipping. See our FFL & Shipping page for the full process.What does “West German” mean on a SIG P226 or P228?
It marks pistols produced at SIG Sauer’s Eckernförde plant while Germany was still divided (stamped “Made in W. Germany”). Collectors prize them for their stamped-and-welded frames and cold-war service history.What condition are these surplus SIG pistols in?
Each pistol is individually graded — holster wear on the finish is common, bores and mechanics are inspected. The photos on every listing show the exact pistol you’ll receive.Are these SIG P226 pistols actually made in Germany?
Yes. These are German-made SIG P226 and P228 pistols, built at the Eckernförde plant and stamped “Made in W. Germany” — the abbreviation the factory used while the country was still divided. Pistols made in Germany after reunification carry “Made in Germany” instead, and later P226 production moved to Exeter, New Hampshire. If a pistol is a genuine German-made example, the frame marking says so.What is the difference between the SIG P226 and the P228?
The P228 is the compact one: a shorter slide and barrel and a 13-round magazine, against the P226’s full-size frame and higher capacity. Both are the same double-action design in 9mm. The P228 was adopted by the U.S. military as the M11.What does “surplus” mean for a SIG P226?
It means the pistol served before it reached the collector market — most of ours came out of German police and government service as trade-ins. Expect honest holster wear on the outside and a bore and action that were maintained as duty equipment.How can I tell when a West German SIG P226 was made?
West German SIGs carry a date code stamped on the frame alongside the proof marks. We read it as part of intake, and every listing states the production year up front so you are not decoding stamps from photographs.Why did SIG stop marking pistols “W. Germany”?
Because West Germany stopped existing. After reunification in 1990 the marking transitioned to “Made in Germany,” and the W. Germany roll mark became a dated production window collectors use to place a pistol in the cold-war era.
Free ShippingGerman P226 Stainless/Two Tone$699.00
Free ShippingGerman P228 Grade B Original price was: $629.00.$569.00Current price is: $569.00.
Free ShippingGerman P228 Grade A$679.00
German P228 Grade B$629.00
Free ShippingGerman P226 Grade B$639.00