Norwegian Norway Walther P38 P-38 9mm Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1975 ATF C&R
SOLD FOR: $1441
LSB#: 210424MA01
Make: Walther
Model: P38, Norwegian Contract
Serial Number: 369782
Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1975, ATF C&R
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 a Walther banner logo, “Carl Walther Waffenfabrik Ulm/Do.”, “P38”, crowned “N” in shield and “Cal. 9mm” with a circle stamp at the front of the flat (no dot in the center). The right of the slide, the right of the frame, and the front face of the barrel assembly each have a pair of eagle/413 inspection marks. The left of the frame is marked “369782” and with a circle stamp (no dot in the center). The takedown lever has a four-pointed star marking. The top of the locking block has a single eagle/413 inspection mark.
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 checkered black plastic with a slight thumb-shelf and a cutout for the lanyard ring on the left panel. The grips have scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches with a couple of more notable nicks in the lanyard ring cutout. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Phosphate & Black Alloy Frame
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 92% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges, mostly on the frame and most notable on the trigger guard. There are some scattered minor nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is some more notable finish wear in the bottom of the trigger guard. The action shows light operational wear. The markings are clear. The screw head is sharp. 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 in a two-piece cardboard Walther box with a total of two 8-round magazines. The box has a non-matching serial label with an after-market sticker on the opposite side marked “WALTHER P38 / Hanevik Vapen / 369782”. The box has light storage wear, mostly at edges and corners, with some tape residue and fraying on the factory labels, in about Very Good condition. Each magazine is marked on the left with a Walther banner logo over “P38 9mm”. The magazines show light operational wear, one has more notable finish wear on the edges of the floorplate, intact feed lips and strong springs, in Very Good-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 and was the standard-issue sidearm of the Wehrmacht during WWII. While the design is most associated with Germany, it saw extensive use in military and law enforcement roles after the war, notably in Czechoslovakia, France and Austria. Due to large quantities of the pistols being left behind as the Nazis fled, the pistol was also adopted by Norway, with additional orders for newly produced pistols shipped in the 1960s and 1970s. This pistol has a Norwegian marking on its slide and is in the correct serial range for the Norwegian contract pistols which were added to the ATF’s C&R list. These pistols are particularly rare today, as the Norwegian government decided to destroy their remaining stores when the pistols were decommissioned. The only pistols to avoid this fate would be those which were purchased by Norwegian collectors, and many of those have since been deactivated. This will make a great addition to even the most advanced P38 collections. Please see our photos and good luck!