Walther Model HP Wehrmacht Purchase Like P.38 9mm Semi-Automatic Pistol C&R

SOLD FOR: $2150

LSB#: 210514MW28

Make: Walther

Model: HP, Wehrmacht Purchase

Serial Number: 21327

Year of Manufacture: 1943-1944

Caliber: 9mm Parabellum

Action Type: Single or Double Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine. This pistol has a de-cocker safety.

Markings: The left side of the slide is marked with Walther banner logo, “Waffenfabrik Walther, Zella-Mehlis (Thur) / Walther’s Patent Cal. 9 m/m” and “Mod. HP”. The serial number “21327” is marked on the right of the frame above the trigger guard, the top of the slide’s right rail in front of the locking lug notch and the front face of the barrel assembly. The bottom of the locking block is marked “327”. There are eagle over “N” German commercial proofs on the right-front of the slide, the right of the frame in front of the serial number, the right of the locking block and the right of the barrel assembly in front of the locking block. The right of the slide has an eagle over “359” waffenamt (Walther).

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 black serrated panels, Polyamid 6 production. The grips show light handling wear with some scattered light nicks and scuffs. The serrations are well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion in the bore.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 85% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The most notable wear is handling wear in the frontstrap. There is some light wear on the right-front of the slide and the top-right of the barrel hood. There are a few light nicks and scratches. The controls show handling wear. The action shows operational wear. The screw head is sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. It has a decocker 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 magazine marked on the left with a Walther banner logo over “P38 9mm”. The magazine has minor operational wear, intact feed lips and a strong spring, in Fine 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. 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. The P38 is the German military designation for the model, however there was pre-war commercial production with Walther’s model designation HP, the Heeres Pistole or Army Pistol. While wartime production of commercial HP models was limited, there were military purchases of the HPs for the Wehrmacht, mostly in 1943 and 1944. This is one such example, commercially marked but with the eagle/359 waffenamt indicating purchase and inspection by the Wehrmacth. The pistol is in Very Good condition with wear consistent with holster use and firing, but with a nice bore and strong mechanics. The serial-numbered parts are all matching and the pistol has made it here to the States without an import mark. With so many variations of the P38, this Wehrmacht purchase HP is one of the less common and will make a great addition to a collection. It will also make for a fun shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!