WWII German Walther P.38 P38 P-38 ac45 ac-45 9mm Semi-Auto Pistol, 1945 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1076
LSB#: 210629JY01
Make: Walther
Model: P.38
Serial Number: 5202a
Year of Manufacture: 1945
Caliber: 9mm Parabellum
Action Type: Single or Double Action Semi-Auto fed by Removable Magazine. This pistol has a de-cocker safety.
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “P.38″, “5202 a” and “ac 45”. The right is marked with two eagle over “359” waffenamts, one to each side of an eagle clutching swastika proof. The left of the frame is marked “5202 A” and with eagle over “359” waffenamt above the trigger guard. The front face of the barrel assembly is marked “5202 / a”, the left is marked with eagle over “359” waffenamt 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 and a six-pointed star, the bottom with “202 / A”.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed to a boss at the front of the barrel, marked “4” on the left. The rear sight is a “U”-notch dovetailed to the rear of the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece serrated brown AEG panels. The grips have light handling wear with some scattered nicks and scuffs, most in the smooth borders and most notable on the right panel. The serrations are well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Blued, some small parts have a Phosphate finish, some are in the white (see Our Assessment)
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is some minor erosion in the bore and chamber.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 92% of its metal finish. The frame’s finish hasa slight plum hue. The finish is thinning at some edges. There are some scattered light nicks, scratches and scuffs. The grip areas and controls show light handling wear. The action shows light operational wear. The screw head is sharp. The markings range from clear to poorly struck (common with 1945 production). Overall, this pistol is in about Very Good-Fine condition.
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 total of two 8-round magazines. One magazine is marked “P.38” on the left and with eagle over “359” waffenamt on the spine. This magazine shows light operational wear, intact feed lips and a strong spring, in Fine condition. The other magazine has no markings. It appears to have a one-piece body, possibly joined down the front. Its floorplate is of an odd, flat design. The edges are folded over but there is no “step” in the floorplate. This magazine has minor erosion under the finish, faint wear in the finish, intact feed lips and a strong spring, in Fine condition as refinished.
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. It was adopted by the German Army as their standard issue sidearm and continued to be issued after the war in both West and East Germany. This P.38 pistol is a late-war example made by Walther in 1945. It shows several characteristics of late-war Walther production including a capital “A” used for that suffix due to worn or missing lower-case dies, small parts which were installed in the white, and simplified three-groove hammer spur. It has the correct markings, matching serial numbers, and has made it here to America without an import mark. The pistol is in about Very Good-Fine condition retaining about 92% of its metal finish. It retains a decent bore and the mechanics are strong. This will make a great addition to a WWII or P.38 collection. Please see our photos and good luck!