German Walther P38 ac 45 9mm Luger 4.75” Semi Automatic Pistol, 1945 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,129.09
LSB#: LSB251216DH025
Make: Walther
Model: P38
Serial Number: 6248A
Year of Manufacture: 1945 / C&R
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Action Type: Semi-Automatic, Center Fired, Double Action / Single Action, Fed By Detachable Magazines.
Markings: The left side of the frame is marked “6248 A” and Waffenamt 359. The left side of the slide is marked “P.38”, “6248 a ac 45”. The right side of the slide is marked with two 359 Waffenaments and a chicken with a spooky pinwheel. The front of the barrel is marked “6248 / a”. There are various factory proofs throughout. Both grip panels are marked with the waffenamt 359. The left panel is marked “833”. The magazine is marked with “P.38” and a Waffenamt 359.
Barrel Length: 4.75”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a U-notch sight dovetailed to the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The AEG grips are two piece serrated synthetic panels with a cut for a lanyard loop. There is moderate wear on the panels. There are scratches and light nicks on the panels. A few of the serrations have been chipped off. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Good condition. These grips are likely not the original.
Magazine Quantity and Condition: This pistol comes with one 8rd magazines in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi bright and the rifling is sharp. There is faint erosion in the bore. There is fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 6 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 97% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows handling and storage wear. There are scratches and oxidization throughout. There are light nicks on the slide and frame. There is light thinning on the slide. The screw head is sharp. The markings are clear and legible. Overall, this pistol rates in about Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this pistol. As with all used firearms, a cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance needs. The safety also doubles as a decocker.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a total of one magazine.
Our Assessment: The Walther P38 was adopted by the German military in 1938 as a replacement for the Luger P08 and quickly became one of the most influential military pistol designs of the twentieth century. Featuring a double action and single action trigger system along with a slide mounted safety that also functioned as a decocker, the P38 introduced mechanical concepts that would later influence many modern service pistols. Wartime production was carried out by several manufacturers including Walther, Mauser, and Spreewerk. Pistols marked with the “ac” code were produced by Walther at the Zella-Mehlis factory, and examples dated 1945 represent the final months of German wartime production during the closing stages of the Second World War.
This example is a Walther produced P38 marked “ac 45” and retains matching serialized components including the slide, frame, and barrel. The pistol retains about 97 percent of its original blue finish with scattered handling marks, scratches, and light thinning along the slide and frame. The serrated AEG synthetic grip panels show moderate wear with scratches and a few chipped serrations but remain structurally intact and may be period replacements rather than the original grips. The bore appears semi bright with sharp rifling along with light erosion and fouling present, rating 6 out of 10 in this writer’s opinion. The action functions correctly and the safety operates as both a safety and decocking lever as intended. The pistol includes one 8 round magazine and represents a late war Walther produced P38 from 1945 production. Please see our high definition photos and good luck on your bids! -N.P