WWII German Walther P.38 P38 P-38 ac-43 ac43 9mm Semi-Auto Pistol, 1943 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1276
LSB#: 210913BM15
Make: Walther
Model: P38
Serial Number: 638n
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”, “638n”, and “ac 43”, the right is marked with two eagle over “359” waffenamts and an eagle clutching swastika proof (these are marked out of order, as was found in ac43 pistols as production increased). The left of the frame is marked “638n” and with eagle over “359” waffenamt above the trigger guard. The front face of the barrel assembly is marked “638 / n”, the left is marked with eagle over “359” waffenamt 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 and “3”, the bottom with “638 / N”.
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 AEG two-piece serrated panels. The grips show light handling wear with some scattered light nicks and scuffing, most notable at the top-front of the right panel. 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 semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is some scattered light erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 85% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is some scattered light finish wear, most notable on the slide’s chamber ring, the left-front of the barrel and some spots on the left of the frame which appears as though minor surface oxidation was scrubbed out. The grip areas show handling wear and some discoloration from oxidation. The frontstrap has some minor surface erosion. There are some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw head is tool marked with a strong slot. 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 in a black leather flap holster with a single 8-round magazine. The magazine has light wear, some scattered nicks and scuffs, minor surface oxidation, intact feed lips and a strong spring. The holster is marked on the rear with a faded manufacturer’s code, “1943”, “P38” and has “KR” hand-carved. The holster shows moderate wear with cracking, fraying and intact stitching, though the belt loops appear to have been replaced.
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 of the waffenamt marked parts have a Walther “359” marking, and serialized parts all match. This pistol should make for a nice example of a mid-war production P.38 with a shootable bore. 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!