Newington, N.H. –-(Ammoland.com)- SIG SAUER, Inc. is honored to announce the production and presentation of the M17 Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Pistols for the U.S. Army’s 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) for the Tomb Guard Sentinels.
The M17 Tomb of the Unknown Pistols are unique M17 pistols that were created using the same specifications for the U.S. Army’s M17 Modular Handgun System. The ceremonial pistols are 9mm striker-fired pistols with a non-railed aluminum grip module, stainless steel slide, wood grip inserts, a 21-round magazine, and features the same optic cut as specified by the MHS contract, front night sight, removable rear plate, and black controls. The pistols also feature a high polish to withstand the inclement weather while the Tomb Sentinels stand guard.
The unique distinguishing features for the M17 Tomb of the Unknown Pistols include:
Pistol Names: each of the four pistols bears the name of Silence, Respect, Dignity, or Perseverance and is featured on the dust cover. Dignity and Perseverance represent “The Sentinel’s Creed,” and Silence and Respect represent the request to the public by Arlington National Cemetery when visiting the Tomb of the Unknown, and during the Changing of the Guard;
Custom Wood Grips: in 1921 the chosen Unknown was transported to the United States of America aboard the USS Olympia. The custom wood grips are made with wood from the USS Olympia and include the crest of the 3rd Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier identification badge inset;
Cocking Serrations: XXI cocking serrations are engraved on the slide to signify the twenty-one steps it takes for the Tomb Sentinels to walk by the Tomb of the Unknowns and the military honor of a 21 Gun Salute;
Sight Plate: an engraved impression of the Greek Figures featured on the east panel of the Tomb – Peace, Victory, and Valor – are featured on the sight plate;
Sights: a glass insert made with marble dust from the Tomb of the Unknown fills the sights of the ceremonial pistols;
Engraved Magazines: the 21-round magazines feature an aluminum base plate engraved with the names of the Greek figures featured on the Tomb of the Unknown – Peace, Victory, and Valor – and include a name plate on the bottom of the magazine engraved with the Tomb Sentinel badge number.
Serial Numbers: the pistols are serialized with a unique set of serial numbers that incorporate items of significance to the Old Guard: “LS” represents line six of the Sentinels’ Creed, “My standard will remain perfection; “02JUL37” to signify the first 24-hour guard posted at the Tomb of the Unknown on July 3, 1937; “21” to signify the 21 steps it takes the Tomb Sentinels to walk by the Tomb of the Unknown, and the military honor of a 21 Gun Salute. The full series of M17 Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Pistols serial numbers are LS02JUL37A21 (Silence), LS02JUL37B21 (Respect), LS02JUL37C21 (Dignity), LS02JUL37D21 (Perseverance).
The M17 Tomb of the Unknown Pistols will be presented to the Old Guard in an official ceremony on Thursday, October 11, 2018 at the Arlington National Cemetery Chapel. The ceremony will begin at 9:00am and include a private presentation ceremony, followed by a Changing of the Guard in which the 3rd Guard soldiers will return to duty with their M17 Tomb of the Unknown Pistols. The presentation ceremony will conclude at 10:15am with a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Silence, one of the four ceremonial pistols to be presented to the U.S. Army’s 3rd Guard will be on display in the SIG SAUER Booth (#3425) at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting, October 8th – 10th at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, D.C.
About SIG SAUER, Inc.
SIG SAUER, Inc. is a leading provider and manufacturer of firearms, electro-optics, ammunition, airguns, suppressors, and training. For over 100 years SIG SAUER, Inc. has evolved, and thrived, by blending American ingenuity, German engineering, and Swiss precision. Today, SIG SAUER is synonymous with industry-leading quality and innovation which has made it the brand of choice amongst the U.S. Military, the global defense community, law enforcement, competitive shooters, hunters, and responsible citizens. Additionally, SIG SAUER is the premier provider of elite firearms instruction and tactical training at the SIG SAUER Academy – a world class, state-of-the-art, 140-acre training facility. SIG SAUER is headquartered in Newington, New Hampshire, and has more than 1,700 employees across eight locations, and is the largest member of a worldwide business group that includes SIG SAUER GmbH & Co. KG in Germany. For more information about the company and product line visit: sigsauer.com.
Yes it’s 1/2 German & 1/2 Swiss but how many of you love your BMW,MB,Toyota,Lexus etc the majority of the soldiers who fought on both sides Are gone the product is spectacular made I think solely in USA with such deeply stirring visuals that I’m blown away by it And if the guard feels it’s appropriate then keep your pea brained thoughts to yourself and ps the venerable 1911 in parkerized Finish compared to the knockout that this pistol is would be an insult to the entire reason we remember the ones interned in The tombs “My standard will remain… Read more »
I agree, The chosen gun should have been a high polish Colt 1911. I’m sure there were more than a few greased palms on this one.
A lot of thought and respect went into these 4 pistols. I hope they never release these for sale. It is fitting that they would only be seen on the Honor Guards. Sig Sauer is an American company now and this kind of thought is a respectful recognition of that fact.
ummm….how ’bout NO. The company in question and its forebearers produced weaponry that perhaps KILLED the UNKNOWN SOLDIER(s). I know, our country and yours are buds now, and all, however, IMHO, the only suitable sidearm is a parkerized Model of 1911A1 carried cocked and locked with a full magazine of 230 grain FMJ and one matching round up the pipe. Additional fully loaded 1911 magazines may be carried in issue magazine carriers.
I agree 1000%. This contract and the one before should NEVER been issued to a foreign company. I carried a 1911 during my time in the military, and I own many 1911s now. The Beretta and Sig contracts were rigged, pure and simple.
The changes in weapons reflect the changes in the Army, including the M1903 Springfield rifle, M1 Garand and M14 rifles, and the M1911, M9 and M17 pistols. Who is it that would prefer each sentinel carry a M1903 ’06 since it was the rifle in use when the tomb came about? Change can be good or bad but for many it is difficult to accept regardless. There were many old Army “mossbacks” who stubbornly resisted the change from black power to that European invented “dang smokeless stuff” in the late 1800’s. That change with the 30-40 Krag (Danish) was a… Read more »
Thanks for the clarification on which part of SIG Sauer is Swiss and German. Back in the late 60’s I happened to have the privilege of being trained on a SIG fully automatic military assault rifle in the Swiss Army. You cannot beat the accuracy and reliability of this precision piece of equipment.
YEA I agree it really frustrates me that American troops are carrying foriegn designed weapons as primary weaponry. There are plenty of American companies that make Amazing pistols that would have been just as good, if not better then Sig. Or even the M9. (dont get me wrong i like both guns, but to rely on a foreign nation in even the smallest way, as the original designer of your small arms, seems wrong and short sided IMO).As far as the Tomb of The Unknown goes, in my opinion your right about that as well, American made 1911 would have… Read more »
Please advise if Sig decides to issue a limited edition commemorative replicas of these pistols for sale to the general public.
These pistols will never and should never be offered for sale to the general public. To do so would cheapen them and negate the reason they were built in the first place. If you look behind the scenes to the management of Sig, you will find that they were mostly veterans. Let these stupid arguments die their own death.
Absolutely beautiful finish and engraving. Those wood grips and black finish are what make me want to replace my pistols wears. They could have tightened up the gap between the slide and barrel end a tad seeing as it’s a display piece.
Amazing tribute.
ARE THEY GOING TO BE FOR THE PUBLIC
We can only hope….NOT
Wow! That’s quit a bute!!!
Very nice. I can’t wait until Sig decides to issue a limited edition commemorative replicas of these pistols to the general public. Oh, you mean they won’t?