Where are the serial numbers on a Walther P38?
The Walther banner and P38 model indication are stamped on the left side of the slide with the serial number next to it.
Is a P38 a Luger?
The Walther P38 (originally written Walther P.38) is a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol that was developed by Carl Walther GmbH as the service pistol of the Wehrmacht at the beginning of World War II. It was intended to replace the costly Luger P08, the production of which was scheduled to end in 1942.
Who uses Walther P38?
In 1957, West Germany put the pistol back into production as the P1 (Pistole 1), issuing it as the standard sidearm for the Bundeswehr. France and Czechoslovakia used P38s until they were replaced with other pistols in the 1960s. The Portuguese used the P38 during 20 years of colonial wars in Angola and Mozambique.
Where did the Walther P38 come from?
While you won’t find the word “Walther” anywhere on the pistol, this “ac 42” marked P38 was produced at the company’s Zella-Mehlis factory while several E/359 acceptance codes show it was taken into service by the Germans. The serial number dates to about June 1942, which coincides with the fall of Tobruk in North Africa.
What is a Walther P4 Pistol?
As one final update to the P-38 line, Walther in 1975 produced the slightly shorter P4 pistol which had both a reinforcing bolt in the aluminum frame and a 4.5-inch barrel. These guns were adopted by several West German police forces as well as the country’s border guard ( Bundesgrenzschutz) and customs ( Zoll) agencies.
When did the Spreewerk P-38 come out?
The serial number dates to about June 1942, which coincides with the fall of Tobruk in North Africa. Spreewerk produced P-38s at their facility in Grottau, Czechoslovakia under the “cyq” and “cvq” manufacturer’s code. This pistol’s “cyq” code, “WaA88” Waffenamt inspector’s marks and 7897e serial number puts its manufacture about July 1943.
How does the Walther P-38 compare to the Luger?
Compared to the complex toggle action of the Luger, the Walther P-38 was simple and reliable. Often seen as second-fiddle to the Luger by collectors, the design of the P-38 was much more advanced than the pistol it was meant to replace. (Photo: Richard Taylor/Guns.com)
