WWII German Walther AC-41 P.38 P38 9mm 5” Semi-Auto Pistol, 1941 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,051.00
LSB#: LSB250814MO003
Make: Walther
Model: P38
Serial Number: 4491d
Year of Manufacture: 1941
Caliber: 9mm Parabellum
Action Type: Single or Double Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine. This pistol has a de-cocker safety. The magazine is missing.
Markings: All internal parts are matching. The left side of the slide is marked “P.38”, “ac / 41”, and “4491d”, the right is marked with two eagle over “359” waffenamts and an eagle clutching swastika proof, the top of the firing pin cover has eagle over “359” waffenamts. The left of the frame is marked “4491d” and eagle over “359”.The left of the hammer spur, the trigger bar, each have an eagle over “359” waffenamt. The front face of the barrel assembly is marked “4491 / d”, the left is marked with “8,83” at the front and at the rear with eagle clutching swastika, the right has an eagle over “359” waffenamt and “17”. The right of the locking block is marked with eagle over “359” waffenamt, the left with eagle clutching swastika proof and “1”, the bottom with “491 / d”. The left of the sear has what looks like a hand-scribed eagle over “359”. The inside of each grip panel is marked with AEG production codes and with an eagle over “359” waffenamt.
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 AEG two-piece serrated panels. The grips show handling wear. There are light scratches and a few chips in the serrations. The serrations are generally well defined apart from a few. The magazine is missing. 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. There are light fouling scattered throughout the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates at a 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 85% of its current metal finish. The balance of the finish shows handling and storage wear. There are scratches, thinning, and oxidization. The leading edges have thinned throughout. Most of the thinning is more apparent on the slide. There is oxidization freckling throughout but there is more of a concentration on the slide. The screw head is sharp. The markings are generally clear, some of the inspection markings are shallow, but visible. Overall, this pistol is in about 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: None. (The magazine is missing)
Our Assessment: This Walther ac/41 P.38 presents in Very Good overall condition, retaining about 85% original blue with honest thinning on edges and light oxidation freckling, more pronounced on the slide. The AEG-marked grip panels show normal handling with a few softened serrations but remain solid. All inspected internal parts are matching with correct eagle/359 waffenamts and eagle clutching swastika proofs consistent with 1941 production. Mechanics: double-/single-action system functions, the decocker operates, and the slide has slight play on the frame. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and light scattered fouling, rating 9/10 in this writer’s opinion. The magazine is absent.
As a 1941 C&R Walther with matching internals and proper acceptance marks, this is a desirable early-war example for P.38 collectors. A careful cleaning to remove surface fouling and stabilize freckling will preserve finish while maintaining originality. Properly conserved and equipped with a magazine, it will display strongly and represents a historically correct specimen of Germany’s WWII service pistol. Please see our photos and good luck with your bid! -N.P
