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AR15.COM
7/12/2012 2:27:25 PM EDT
Picked up a P229 from CDNN and I'm trying to validate the production year and wether or not its actually a former LEO gun.

Serial number is. AM48xxx

Any help is greatly appreciated
7/12/2012 3:28:11 PM EDT
[#1]
Based on this fantastic thread on the SIG Forum,

http://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/430601935/m/7320040262,

your 229 was likely made sometime in 2005 or 2006. I don't know how you can tell if it is a former LEO gun, other than asking the seller.
7/12/2012 3:58:09 PM EDT
[#2]
I'm thinking sometime in early 06, based on the Sigforum data and grip date codes.....thanks for the link too.
7/12/2012 8:53:27 PM EDT
[#3]
the date code in that thread does not apply to the p229, its only the old style folded steel/breach block style guns, best bet is to check the inside of the grip pannel, that should put you in the ball park
7/13/2012 6:54:52 AM EDT
[#4]
The grip panels have two different date codes that are within six months of each other. I suspect the newest grip is more appropriate to the year. Of course they could have been changed at some point, although the faint film of dust may say otherwise.....

Has anyone else had an issue with different date codes on the grip panels?
7/13/2012 10:46:24 AM EDT
[#5]
Quoted:
the date code in that thread does not apply to the p229, its only the old style folded steel/breach block style guns, best bet is to check the inside of the grip pannel, that should put you in the ball park


I never said that the date code in the thread I linked to on the SIG Forum did apply to the 229. If you go back to the link above, and then scroll down to the section on the 229s, you will see that there is also a correlation between the serial number on the gun and the date of manufacture.  

Guns proofed in Germany (or West Germany) will have a two letter code under the dustcover, such as "KA", meaning the gun was proofed in 1990. The OP's 229 was assembled in the US and does not have a proof code.

Nevertheless, the serial number that begins with "AM" does give an indication of when the gun was manufactured. Someone compiled a bunch of information on the SIG Forum and posted it in the thread I linked to above. So, by looking at the information in the thread under the 229 models, you can interpolate a likely time of when the OP's gun was manufactured. My guess was 2005 or 2006.

As you suggest, you can also look at the manufacturing date on the grip panels, assuming that the gun still has the original grips. All these pieces hopefully point to a consistent date of manufacture.
7/13/2012 11:14:52 AM EDT
[#6]
Quoted:
Quoted:
the date code in that thread does not apply to the p229, its only the old style folded steel/breach block style guns, best bet is to check the inside of the grip pannel, that should put you in the ball park


I never said that the date code in the thread I linked to on the SIG Forum did apply to the 229. If you go back to the link above, and then scroll down to the section on the 229s, you will see that there is also a correlation between the serial number on the gun and the date of manufacture.  

Guns proofed in Germany (or West Germany) will have a two letter code under the dustcover, such as "KA", meaning the gun was proofed in 1990. The OP's 229 was assembled in the US and does not have a proof code.

Nevertheless, the serial number that begins with "AM" does give an indication of when the gun was manufactured. Someone compiled a bunch of information on the SIG Forum and posted it in the thread I linked to above. So, by looking at the information in the thread under the 229 models, you can interpolate a likely time of when the OP's gun was manufactured. My guess was 2005 or 2006.

As you suggest, you can also look at the manufacturing date on the grip panels, assuming that the gun still has the original grips. All these pieces hopefully point to a consistent date of manufacture.


Spot on.
7/15/2012 9:47:26 AM EDT
[#7]
Quoted:
the date code in that thread does not apply to the p229, its only the old style folded steel/breach block style guns, best bet is to check the inside of the grip pannel, that should put you in the ball park


it most certainly does apply

i've got several 229's & i can date them pretty close off the sigforum list.