P.38

 

Walther 480

Mauser byf43

Spreewerk cyq
Walther ac41 Mauser byf44

 
Walther ac43

 

Walther ac44

  

 

 

The P.38 replaced the production of the time-consuming and expensive P.08. It was the numerically most common pistol of the German Wehrmacht. The production started 1939 at Walther and at Mauser and Spreewerke 1942

 

Technical data:

Caliber: 9 mm Para
Function: lock-breech; double-Action
Barrel length: 125 mm
Weight: 960 g
Magazine capacity: 8 rounds

 

Production data:

Company:

Waffenfabrik Walther

Mauser-Werke

Spreewerke Metallwarenfabrik

Location:

Walther: Zella-Mehlis (Thüringen)

Mauser: Oberndorf am Neckar

Spreewerke: Berlin

Period:

 1939 - 1945

Amount:

1,224,600

Serial numbers:

 1 - 10000 mit Suffix

The P.38 is split in 3 major variations, according to manufacturer. This major variations are split in subvariations according code.

Manufacturer "Waffenfabrik Walther" (480 code variation; approx. 111,000 pieces)

This variation was manufactured after the Zero-series. Serial started at 1 and went to 7.200. After this the weapons with ac-code followed. This weapon was manufactured in June 1940. This weapon is refinished. It is a rare bird so I wants to show you in this condition too.

Characteristics:

Legend:

"P.38" - "480" - serial number
Finish: Re-finished
Grips: black-brown Bakelit grips with horizontal lines
Serial number:

4-digit number left on frame

4-digit number left on slide

4-digit number on barrel

3-digit number locking block
Acceptance stamp:

E/359 left on frame

2 x E/359 right on slide

E/359 left on barrel

E/359 right on locking block

E/359 on nearby every small part
Test proof stamp:

E HK right on slide

E HK links on barrel

E HK links on locking block

 

 

Manufacturer "Waffenfabrik Walther" (ac41 code variation; approx. 111,000 pieces)

Characteristics:

Legend:

"P.38" - "ac41" - serial number
Finish: Highpolish finish
Grips: black-brown Bakelit grips with horizontal lines
Serial number:

4-digit number with suffix left on frame

4-digit number with suffix left on slide

4-digit number with suffix on barrel

3-digit number with suffix locking block
Acceptance stamp:

E/359 left on frame

2 x E/359 right on slide

E/359 left on barrel

E/359 right on locking block

E/359 on nearby every small part
Test proof stamp:

E HK right on slide

E HK links on barrel

E HK links on locking block

 

Holster

joa - WaA 706 - Karl Heinichen, Dresden

 

Manufacturer "Waffenfabrik Walther" (ac43 (stacked) code variation;
approx. 150,000 pieces)

Characteristics:

Legend:

"P.38" - "ac43" - serial number
Finish: military finish
Grips: black Bakelit grips with horizontal lines
Serial number:

4-digit number with suffix left on frame

4-digit number with suffix left on slide

4-digit number with suffix on barrel

3-digit number with suffix locking block
Acceptance stamp:

E/WaA 359 left on frame

2 x E/WaA 359 right on slide

E/WaA 359 left on barrel

E/WaA 359 right on locking block
Test proof stamp:

E HK right on slide

E HK links on barrel

E HK links on locking block

 

 

Manufacturer "Waffenfabrik Walther" (ac44 code variation; approx. 130,000 pieces)

This weapon comes from the commander of the power supply plant of the project "Schlier" .

Characteristics:

Legend:

"P.38" - serial number - "ac44"
Finish: military finish
Grips: redish-brown Bakelit grips with horizontal lines
Serial number:

4-digit number with suffix left on frame

4-digit number with suffix left on slide

4-digit number with suffix on barrel

3-digit number with suffix locking block
Acceptance stamp:

E/WaA 359 left on frame

2 x E/WaA 359 right on slide

E/WaA 359 left on barrel

E/WaA 359 right on locking block
Test proof stamp:

E HK right on slide

E HK links on barrel

E HK links on locking block

 

 

 

holster:

eue/43 - WaA300 - Otto Reichel, Inhaler Rudolf Fischer, Lederwarenfabrik, Lengefeld, Erzgebirge

   

 

Manufacturer "Mauser Werke A.G." (byf43 code Variation with acceptance E/135 approx. 162,000 pieces - year of production record)

 

Characterisitcs:

Legend:

"P.38 byf 43" (2-lines) - serial number
Finish: highpolish-finish gutes Oberflächenfinish
Grips: redish-brown Bakelit grips with horizontal lines
Serial number:

4-digit number with suffix left on frame

4-digit number with suffix left on slide

4-digit number with suffix on barrel

3-digit number with suffix locking block
Acceptance stamp:

E/WaA 135 left on frame

2 x E/WaA 135 right on slide

E/WaA 135 left on barrel

E/WaA 135 right on locking block
Test proof stamp:

E HK right on slide

E HK links on barrel

E HK links on locking block
 

 

 

Manufacturer "Mauser Werke A.G." (byf44 code variation with acceptance E/WaA 135; approx. 150,000 pieces)

 

Characterisitcs:

Legend:

"P.38 byf 44" (2-lines) - serial number
Finish: highpolish-finish
Grips: black Bakelit grips with horizontal lines
Serial number:

4-digit number left on frame

4-digit number left on slide

4-digit number on barrel

3-digit number locking block
Acceptance stamp:

E/WaA 135 left on frame

2 x E/WaA 135 right on slide

E/WaA 135 left on barrel

E/WaA 135 right on locking block
Test proof stamp:

E HK right on slide

E HK links on barrel

E HK links on locking block

 

 

holster:

accepted with WaA 938: Christof Neuner, Leder u. Lederwarenfabrik, Wodleystrasse 4, Klagenfurt; company-sign: oak-leave on bearskin with "9" in center; stamped "P.38"

 

Manufacturer "Spreewerk - Grottau" (1st letter series cyq variation)

Characterisitcs:

Legend:

"P.38 cyq" - serial number
Finish: rough finish - blued
Grips: redbrown Bakelit grips with horizontal lines
Serial number:

4-digit number left on frame

4-digit number left on slide

4-digit number on barrel

3-digit number locking block
Acceptance stamp:

E/WaA 88 left on frame

2 x E/WaA 88 right on slide

E/WaA 88 left on barrel

E/WaA 88 right on locking block
Test proof stamp:

E HK right on slide

E HK links on barrel

E HK links on locking block

 

 
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