Sauer Bär
J.P. Sauer & Sohn · Pistol · Discontinued · 1899
Also known as: Sauer Bar, Bär Pistol, Sauer & Sohn Bär
Overview
The Sauer Bär is a compact four-shot repeating pocket pistol produced by J.P. Sauer & Sohn from 1899 to 1914. Designed by Burchard Christian von Behr, it uses a pair of superimposed barrels feeding from a removable four-chamber block: the block is loaded with four cartridges, two rounds are fired double-action, then a button on top is pressed and the block is rotated by hand to bring the remaining two chambers into line. Its smooth-sided profile and folding trigger made it an easily concealed gentleman's defensive arm, offering double the capacity of a typical double-barreled derringer. It was chambered for the proprietary 7mm Bär rimfire cartridge, and later examples were offered in .25 ACP.
Specifications
| Action Type | Double Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Double Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 4 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Effective Range | 10 m (11 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 7mm Bär · primary — also known as 7x15.5mm Bär, 7mm Bär Rimfire
- .25 ACP — also known as 6.35x16mm Browning, 6.35mm Browning, .25 Auto
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Removable Chamber Block
- Safety mechanisms: Folding Trigger
- Features: Twin Superimposed Barrels, Removable Four Chamber Block, Hand Indexed Chamber Block, Smooth Sided Concealable Profile, Folding Trigger, Wood Or Hard Rubber Grip Plates
Service history
Operators
- Civilian · adopted 1899
Production
Production years: 1899-1914
Very limited production; known serial numbers are low (many examples below 300)
Origin
Country of origin: Germany
Designer: Burchard Christian von Behr
Discontinued: 1914
Notes
The proprietary 7mm Bär (7x15.5mm) rimfire ammunition was supplied by Georg Roth and headstamped 'GR – 7mm Bär'. Production was extremely limited; most surviving examples carry low serial numbers.
Background
To reload the Bär you don't work a slide or swing a cylinder — you fire two shots, thumb a button on top, and physically twist the four-chamber block around by hand to line up the last two rounds, a curiously literal 'double-barreled' take on the pocket repeater.