The P38 was developed by Walther as a replacement for the Luger. The new pistol went through several design changes from 1931 to 1938, ending up with a more reliable pistol using fewer parts and at lower cost. Army orders started in April 1939 with initial delivery of 13,000 up to May 1940 and then increased into the hundreds of thousands, with other manufacturers called on to aid in production. This is a Walther produced pistol showing their “AC” manufacturer’s code, instituted in 1940, with the year of production underneath (“stacked,”) which was changed to a single line in the course of 1943. Production at Walther that year totaled 135,000 with the serial numbers running 1 to 9999n.

This pistol is numbered 3848C, placing it fairly early in the year, with the number matching on the front under the barrel, on the slide and on the frame. Markings are as follows: Left side, slide: P.38 ac/43; frame 3848c, eagle/359. Right side, slide: eagle/359 proof stamps on either side of eagle with swastika. We have not disassembled the pistol, but by this time in the war only major parts were being proofmarked. The magazine is crisply stamped “Walther” in a banner, with “P38” and “9 mm” below.

The pistol rates about excellent for condition with 90 percent or better blue finish, showing slightly rough in places, which is not unusual for this date of production, and reddish deep brown grips showing just minor handling marks. The magazine shows nice blue at the bottom, with more rubbing along the upper portions as would be expected. This comes with a soft shell, black leather holster marked o the reverse, “1095/12/120/6169 // Taf. Pist.38.Kal.9mm(W) // B.M.G. 9/59” with a maker logo that seems to be “BMVerlg / 150” in an abstract droop-winged eagle. We believe this to be a postwar police marking though the design of the holster, using belt loops mounted inside the flap, with a reverse latch tab designed to be pulled up and have the opened holster drop down to hand level, is purportedly a wartime design.

This is a very nice example of the standard issue German army WW2 pistol in great condition. [sr] [ph:m]

Firearm may only be shipped to a licensed dealer (FFL Holder) - If you are not a licensed dealer, you must make arrangements with a dealer in your state to receive the firearm and transfer it to you.

DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.

THANK YOU!