German Walther P38 ac44 9mm Luger 4.75” Semi Automatic Pistol, 1944 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,101.00
LSB#: LSB260608DS004
Make: Walther
Model: P38
Serial Number: 6217
Year of Manufacture: 1944 / 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 “6217” and a WA359. The left side of the slide is marked “P.38 6217 ac 44 “. The right side of the slide is marked with two 359 Waffenamts and a chicken with a spooky pinwheel. The locking lug is marked “217”. The front of the barrel extension is marked “6217”. Just above the firing pin is marked with a cross. There are various factory proofs throughout.
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 grips are two piece serrated synthetic panels with a cut for a lanyard loop. There is handling wear on the panels. There are scratches and a few small compression marks on the panels. A few of the grooves have small chips on both panes. There is a crack on the inside of the left grip panel. There is a small crack on the bottom of the right grip panel. Overall, the grips are in about Fair condition.
Magazine Quantity and Condition: This pistol comes with two 8rd magazines in Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. There is light fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 8.5 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 85% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows handling and storage wear. There is light operation wear. There are scratches and thinning throughout. The front strap has thinned. There is light thinning on the leading edges. There is a scratch from the safety lever. There is light freckling on the slide and frame. There is surface rust forming on the rear sight. The screw head is sharp. The pins are unmarred and the markings are clear and legible. Overall, this pistol rates in about Fair – 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 two magazines and a leather holster.
Our Assessment: The German P.38 was adopted as the Wehrmacht’s standard service pistol and became one of the most influential military handguns of World War II, combining a locked-breech action with a double-action/single-action trigger and safety/decocking system. Walther manufactured wartime P.38 pistols under the concealed maker code “ac,” with Eagle/359 military acceptance markings identifying production at the Zella-Mehlis factory. This example bears the “ac 44” slide marking for 1944 production, while serial number 6217 with no letter suffix places it in the first serial block of that year. The pistol retains matching number “6217” on the frame, slide, and barrel extension, with the locking block correctly numbered “217” to match.
This pistol retains approximately 85% of its original blue finish with scratches, thinning, operational wear, edge wear, freckling, frontstrap finish loss, and scattered surface rust, including at the rear sight. The serrated grip panels rate in Fair condition with handling wear, scratches, small chipped serrations, and cracks in both panels. The bore is bright with sharp rifling, no visible erosion, and light fouling, rating 8.5/10 in this writer’s opinion. The action functions correctly, including the safety/decocking system, though we have not fired this pistol. Two 8-round magazines and a leather holster are included. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids! -N.P