This rifle truly is a rare bird in the United States. Manufactured in the late 1970s by Manurhin in France as the commercial version of the SIG Sauer SG 540 Rifle. The .222 Remington caliber choice by SIG was made as a work around for the ban on military caliber weapons in many European countries, meaning this gun was never meant to be marketed in the United States in this caliber. The other extremely rare caliber for these rifles is .243 Winchester, an example of which is up for sale in this auction as well. This specimen is one of only some 10 believed to exist in the United States. Due to the 1989 import ban on "Assault Type" weapons it is unlikely that any others will be appearing in the U.S., as this rifle exhibits five of the features specifically listed by the ban, detachable "large capacity" magazines, "conspicuous" pistol grip, attached bipod, flash suppressor, and a folding buttstock. Mechanically it is the same as the SG 540, operating via a gas piston with adjustable gas block. Two position right thumb safety, four position drum style rear sight, and post front sight. The upper receiver is marked "SIG (in oval)", "MANURHIN (logo)", then "F.S.A. - MR .222 REM. 111665", and St. Etienne proofmarks at the rear. The lower receiver and bolt carrier are both marked with just the serial number. There are also the numbers "670" and "2" on the under side of the barrel at the chamber. The furniture is a green tone, folding metal tube steel stock, permanent sling studs on the left side of the buttstock and forend, and the classic folding bipod under the forend. The Karl Kaps Asslar/Wetzlar scope with three post reticle and rubber lens caps is mounted on a quick detachable base that allows for easy access to the iron sights.

Very good, retaining 85% plus original matte grey finish, mild scratching and wear concentrated on the left hand side of the receiver, and what appears to be some minor oxidation on the bolt carrier. The buttstock is showing some finish loss and the hand guard is very fine with only a few small marks. The pistol grip is fair as it is missing its floorplate and has some cracking at the base and damage to the floorplate rails. The scope has sharp optics with a tiny black spot in the upper right quadrant. Mechanically excellent. An extremely rare chance to round out your SIG or modern sporting collection!