This is an excellent example of a super rare pre-WWII J.P. Sauer & Sohns 38H semi-automatic "Shooting Prize" pistol with the very rare "SA-Thuringen" slide markings. This exact pistol is identified and pictured on page 275 and 278 in the book "J.P. Sauer & Sohns" by Cates & Van Gijn. The rarity of this pistol is based on the fact that you rarely see any 38H pistols with any special slide markings or engraving, as those requests for special presentation pistols were 99% of the time given to the Walther factory. Consequently, an example with a "SA-Gruppe" slide presentation is even rarer! The upper left side of the slide was hand engraved with the presentation markings "SA der NSDAP Gruppe Thuringen/Meisterschutze-Preisschißen", which loosely translates to "SA of the NSDAP Thuringia Group/Master Marksman Prize Shoot", above the European formatted date "01-12-39," or December 1, 1939, three months into World War II. The lower flat area has the early single line marking "J.P. SAUER & SOHN SUHL" followed by "cal. 7,65" above the safety lever. The right side is marked with only "PATENT" with a "crown/N" proof mark on the rear of the slide and frame. It has the standard blade front and fixed rear sight with an "eagle/N" commercial proof on the barrel, right rear side of the slide and frame. It comes with one original magazine that has the matte blue finish on the sides with the high polish floorplate that is marked with the intertwined "SS" logo and "Cal 7.65". This beautiful pistol has the early and very desirable high polish blue finish, fitted with a set of the standard black plastic grips with the impressed checkering and the large intertwined "SuS" logo (for Sauer und Sohn) on the lower left side.

Excellent plus with 99% of its original blue finish overall. The grips are also in excellent plus condition. This is an absolutely outstanding and very rare pre-WWII J.P. Sauer & Sohn SA Shooting Prize Presentation pistol.