WWII German Walther P.38 P38 P-38 ac-43 ac43 9mm Semi-Auto Pistol, 1943 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1000
LSB#: 210612TP53
Make: Walther
Model: P38
Serial Number: 8010i
Year of Manufacture: 1943
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 “P.38”, “ac / 43”, and “8010i”, 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 “8010 i” and with eagle over “359” waffenamt above the trigger guard. The front face of the barrel assembly is marked “8010 / i”, the left is marked with eagle over “359” waffenamt and “*” at the front and at the rear with eagle clutching swastika. The right of the locking block is marked with eagle over “359” waffenamt, the left with eagle clutching swastika proof, the bottom with “010 / I”. The magazine floorplate is marked “8010”, the spine has eagle over “359”, the left “P.38v”.
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 black Polyamid 6 two-piece serrated panels. The grips show light handling wear with some scattered minor nicks, scuffs and light scratches. 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 bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 90% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. The barrel has some light oxidation on the top behind the front sight. The right of the slide has some finish loss behind the ejection port where it looks like some minor erosion was scrubbed out. The grip areas show handling wear. There are some scattered minor nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows light 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 safety on the left side of the slide. The slide has light 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. 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. This is a mid-production model made in 1943. All serialized parts match and have proper eagle/359 waffenamts. The grips are Polyamid 6, one of the suppliers to Walther, though likely from later production and the magazine is serialized, though ac43 production is also a little too late serialized magazines. The gun retains about 90% of its metal finish, a great bore and strong mechanics. No collection of WWII small arms would be complete without a P38 made by each of the three manufacturers, and many collectors have one from each year that they were made by each of the three manufactures, in addition to most of the common variants. This pistol would make a nice addition to a collection, but could also make for a fun shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!