A Living Legend.

Throughout the mid to late 20th century the Swiss service pistol, known variously as the Model 47/48, Model 48, SIG Neuhausen, and commercially as the Model 210, was widely regarded as the “ World’s Best Pistol.” Or, given less hyperbolic acclaim, as the most accurate military/police service pistol. In the 1930s, seeking a replacement for the 7.65 Lugers the country had used since 1900, Switzerland purchased patents from French arms designer, Charles Petter, using the design as a springboard for the arm that emerged after the end of WWII. Modifications received dash suffixes denoting variations on the basic pistol more often than significant design changes.

There are a couple of sport/target models, and some featuring caliber conversions in 7.65 and .22 Long Rifle. The post 2000 Model 210-8 had the magazine release on the left side of the grip frame rather than in the traditional heal position. The 210, regarded as an “improved” Browning design, features a number of major departures. The action is a removable modular unit like that of the Radom and Tokarev, there is no barrel bushing and the unlocking mechanism is an enclosed under-barrel cam working in conjunction with the slide release crossbar.

Locking lugs on the barrel engage corresponding recesses on the interior of the slide, maintaining the slim profile associated with the Browning progenitors. The slide has external rails riding corresponding inward-facing rails on the frame. This reverses the relationship of these elements on the 1911 and other Browning arms. The slide and frame contact is significantly greater than is usual on Browning designs, and the overall arrangement is widely considered as an important contributor to the accuracy of most examples of the 210.

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