East German Walther P.38 P38 ac-44 ac44 9mm Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1944 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1073.94
LSB#: 220308DH002
Make: Walther
Model: P.38
Serial Number: 5288f
Year of Manufacture: 1944
Caliber: 9mm Parabellum
Action Type: Single or Double Action Semi-Auto fed by Removable Magazine (no magazine included). This pistol has a de-cocker safety.
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “P.38″, “5288 f” and “ac 44”. The right is marked with two eagle over “359” waffenamts, one to each side of an eagle clutching swastika proof. The bottom of the right slide rail is marked “GERMANY” at the front. There is an eagle over “359” on the top-rear of the firing pin cover. The left of the frame is marked “5288 f”, eagle over “359” waffenamt and with a numbered shield in sunburst East German acceptance mark above the trigger guard. The left-rear of the trigger guard has a small eagle marking The front face of the barrel assembly is marked “5288 / m”, the right has “B a”, the left is marked “5288” over “cyq” at the front and with eagle clutching swastika proof at the rear. The right of the locking block is marked with eagle over “359” waffenamt, the left with eagle clutching swastika proof, the bottom with a defaced serial marking. The bottom of the barrel is import-marked “VEGA SAC. CA. 9mm”.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed to a boss at the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “U”-notch dovetailed to the rear of the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are AEG two-piece serrated black synthetic panels. The grips have scattered minor surface wear with a few light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The serrations are well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 98% of its current metal finish. There are some scattered nicks, scratches and minor erosion under the finish. There are only a few minor marks and light handling wear on the controls which is through the finish. The finish has a plum hue in some areas. The screw head is sharp. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible, to intentionally defaced. Overall, this pistol is in Fine condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. It has a decocker safety on the left side of the slide. The slide has minor play to the frame. We did not fire this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a single 8-round magazine marked “jvd” on the left, “P38 / U” on the right, and the floorplate has “1523” over two previously-struck numbers. The magazine has minor wear, infrequent minor surface oxidation, intact feed lips and a strong spring.
Our Assessment: The P38 occupies a significant place in history. It was the first locked breech pistol to have a single action/double action trigger. After the start of WWII, Walther could not keep up with the production required, and production was ordered to commence at both Mauser and Spreewerke in 1940. By the end of the war, Walther had only produced about 580,000 of the 1.2 million produced. After the war, Walther’s a-Mehlis facility found itself behind the Iron Curtain in East Germany. Many P.38 pistols were used to equip the various East German forces which were established or allowed by the Soviet Union, which also required a retrofit program. Pistols were refurbished, worn or damaged parts replaced, and many barrels were provided from the other P.38 factory behind the curtain, Spreewerke. This pistol’s markings identify it as one such pistol, with an East German acceptance mark on the frame and force-matched barrel with Spreewerke’s “cyq” code. The pistol is in Fine condition as refinished, retaining nearly all of its new finish with a great bore and strong mechanics. For the P.38 or Cold War collectors, this is an interesting piece, but it should also prove to be a good shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!