WWII Walther Model HP “Heeres Pistole” (P38) Waffenamt MArked, Matching Numbers, Blue 4.9” Nazi DA Semi-Automatic Pistol, MFD 1942-44 C&R
SOLD FOR: $830.00
LSB#: 150911JA03
Make: Walther at Zella-Mehlis
Model: HP – Heeres Pistole (Army Pistol)
Serial Number: 21066
Year of Manufacture: 1942-1944 (Blue Book of Gun Values)
Caliber: 9mm Parabellum
Action Type: Single or Double Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine. This pistol has a de-cocker lever.
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked with a Walther Banner logo, “Waffenfabrik Mauser Zella-Mehlis (Thur.) / Walther’s Patent Cal. 9m/m” and “Mod. HP”. The right side of frame is marked “21066” and with an “Eagle / N” commercial proof. The right side of the slide is marked with an “Eagle / 359” Waffenamt (Code for Walther at Zella-Mehlis). . The front barrel flat is marked “21066”. The bottom of the locking block is marked “066”. The right side of the locking block and the right side of the barrel just in front of it are marked with an “Eagle / N” proof. The right side of the barrel is also marked with a round dot, which we think is a Walther quality control mark. The flat on the top right of the slide at the port is also marked “21066”.
Barrel Length: 4.9”
Sights / Optics: The pistol is mounted with a flat topped “U” notched rear sight dovetailed into the slide and a Patridge style blade front sight dovetailed into the barrel. The left side of the front sight is marked “4”.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are reddish brown serrated plastic with a thumbrest on the left side. The right grip shows a compression mark in its front edge, light wear along it top and bottom borders and several tiny nicks in the serrations. There is a light scratch on the left grip and both grips show minor handling marks. The grips rate in about Very Good to Fine overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: All Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright, turning slightly gray at the muzzle. The rifling shows light wear. There is light frosting near the muzzle with a small spot of erosion in one of the grooves.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 80% of its metal finish. There is thinning along the left side of the barrel with several spots of pitting. There are light handling marks on both sides of the slide with a small spot of pinprick surface erosion on the left side of the slide at the back of the port. The front strap and the edges of the slide, frame, de-cocking lever and trigger guard show thinning. The serrations on the slide and slide release are sharp and those on the hammer, de-cocker and takedown lever slow light wear. The grip screw is sharp and the markings are clear except for the “Z” on the left side of the slide, which is partially obscured by erosion. Overall, this pistol rates in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The double action trigger pull is relatively smooth and the single action pull is light but with a hint of creep. The slide is tight to the frame. This pistol has a slide mounted decocker instead of a traditional safety and was not made with a magazine disconnect. We did not fire this pistol.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with one blued 8 round magazine. The magazine shows thinning. The floorplate shows thinning on its edges, light surface frosting and a spot of surface loss on its rear from rubbing on the magazine release. The magazine is in about Very Good condition.
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. The pistol was designed with the German Army in mind, with a goal to produce a more modern design that was cheaper and easier to build than the P08 Lugers used in WWI. The first model of the new pistol was called HP for Heeres Pistole, or Army Pistol. After the pistol was adopted by the German Army, and became the P38, the HP model continued to be made for the civilian market, which is to say that it was sold to the high ranking German officers. This pistol was made in 1942-1944 after the high luster finish was changed to a wartime blued finish. It has a commercial address on the left side of the slide and commercial proof markings, but also has an “Eagle / 359” Waffenamt stamped on the right side of the slide, indicating acceptance by the Army. The barrel, frame, slide and locking block all have matching serial numbers. This model HP pistol is in about Very Good condition with about 80% of its original finish remaining. It shows pitting on the left side of the barrel and a spot of pinprick surface erosion on the left side of the slide. There is thinning on the left side of the barrel, on the edges of the slide and frame, and on the trigger guard, front strap and de-cocking lever. The grips are serrated red plastic that show a few light marks with a light wear at the top and bottom of the right grip. The bore is mostly bright with light wear in the rifling and a small spot of erosion in one of the grooves near the muzzle. This is a great find for the collector of P38s and of WWII pistols in general. There were only about 24,000 of the HP pistols made during the war, and it’s anybody’s guess as to how many have survived until today. With its matching numbers and original finish, this is sure to catch the eye of the serious collectors out there.
