Rare German FN/Mauser P38 ac44 9mm Military Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1944 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,260.00
LSB#: LSB260625WM068
Make: Mauser, slide made by FN for Walther, imported by NHM
Model: P.38
Serial Number: 2884c
Year of Manufacture: 1944
Caliber: 9mm Parabellum
Action Type: Single or Double Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine. This pistol has a de-cocker safety.
Barrel Length: 5″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed to a boss at the front of the barrel, marked “2” on the left. The rear sight is a “U”-notch dovetailed to the rear of the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are AEG two-piece reddish-brown serrated panels. The grips have even light handling wear with a few nicks and scuffs. Most surfaces show minor chemical erosion as from handling or cleaning solvents, fairly frequently found on this material. The serrations are well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original. Numbered parts match.
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is a little light erosion and scattered stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 7+ out of 10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 87% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The most notable finish wear is on the right slide flat with a spot of wear inside the trigger guard behind the trigger. There are infrequent spots of oxidation. There are a few scattered light nicks and small scratches. 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 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 single P38v-marked magazine.
Our Assessment: This P.38 is a rare late-war FN/Mauser variation assembled in 1944 using a slide manufactured by Fabrique Nationale for Walther. The stacked “ac44” marking is associated with this unusual group of FN-produced slides, which began appearing in late Mauser “b” range pistols and continued through later suffix blocks. After the D-Day landings, as the Allies pushed into France, completed parts were evacuated from the FN factory and sent to Mauser for finish and assembly. Serial number 2884c falls within this recognized production range and the WaA135 acceptance markings on the slide, frame, barrel, and locking block identify Mauser inspection and assembly.
This example retains matching numbered components much of its original finish, a good bore and strong mechanics. With an FN-produced slide with Walther’s ac factory code but actually assembled and finished by Mauser, this is a particularly desirable example of one of the more unusual late-war P.38 variations. Please see our photos and good luck!
-Bud