WWII German Walther P.38 ac42, w/ Hardshell Holster

This is a very scarce and fine condition WWII Walther P.38, ac42, Second Variation pistol that is all matching. This P.38 comes with a black leather P.38 holster.

When the German Army completed its P.38 testing with the end of the Fourth Variation Zero Series model, the P.38 was officially adopted as the German Army's standard side arm. Following this official adoption of the P.38, Walther produced the first true military P.38 known as the 480 Code P.38. This was followed by the adoption of the “ac” code for Walther. The first of the new code date Walther P.38s was the “ac” with no date, which was a very limited production run occurring in only October and early November 1940. This was followed by the “ac40” code P.38s, which began in November 1940 and ended in December 1940. The next Walther code P.38 was the “ac41” pistol, which was produced beginning in January 1941 and ran until December 1941 at around serial number 9999j.

Next, the “ac42” code P.38s were produced, of which this is an example. The First Variation of the ac42 P.38 runs from the beginning of serial production, starting at 1, through approximately 5000b. Next, collectors refer to what is called a “Transitional Period” ac42 code P.38, which runs from approximately 5000b through 5000e, shortly before this particular P.38 was manufactured. Both First Variation and Transitional Period ac42 P.38s will be manufactured with serial number matching magazines, with slight differences in terms of acceptance stamps and locations. The Second Variation, of which this is an example, run from serial number 5000e to approximately 9000k, with only about 65,995 manufactured. Beginning with the Second Variation, the magazines were no longer serial numbered, and acceptance stamps will now appear only on the barrel, locking block, frame, slide and magazine. The grip panels are not numbered, and the caliber dimension is now omitted from the barrel.

This particular ac42 Code P.38, serial number 8727e, was probably manufactured in June 1942. The original Slide retains 95% plus of its original blued finish. From the front left portion of the slide is the nomenclature stamp “P.38.” Just to the right of the P.38 stamp is the “ac/42” Code stamp. To the right of the date code is the serial number “8727e,” with the “e” terminating just before the forward edge of the safety lever. The safety lever is the correct narrow type, which measures 4mm in width along the arm. The milled-out safety recess area on the left side of the slide shows minor wear. The “F” stamp retains all of the original red paint, and the “S” safe marking exhibits a slight yellow color. The right side of the slide has the correct eagle over 359 Walther acceptance stamp, followed by the German national socialist eagle proof stamp, followed by another Walther eagle over 359 acceptance stamp. The rear sight is the correct thick type, which measures 7.10mm wide, and it retains the vast majority of its original blued finish.

The loaded chamber indicator pin correctly protrudes from the milled-out section at the top of the hammer slot. The top cover retains the majority of its original faded blued finish. The extractor spring plunger relief slot is 4.03mm wide at the front and 2.07mm wide at the rear. The extractor is exposed as is the extractor plunger, but the plunger spring is correctly not exposed. The breech face is very clean.

The frame is in very fine condition, retaining 95% plus of its original blued finish. There is slight fading on the front grip strap, on the outer edge of the trigger guard, and on the frame nose. The serial number “8727e” is stamped on the left front flat just above the front trigger guard web. The correct Walther eagle over 359 acceptance stamp is located approximately 10.36mm in front of the trigger pivot pin, which places it roughly centered between the pivot pin and the serial number. The slide stop has four serrated lines on the top. The take down lever has eight horizontal serrations. The interior magazine well walls show very minor friction wear, retaining the majority of its original blued finish. The Front Grip Strap retains 90% of the original blued finish. The Trigger Guard and nose of the frame retain 90% of the original blued finish with wear noted on the sharp edges and the outer edges. The Magazine Catch retains the majority of its original blued finish to include the serrated portion. The Hammer Strut retains all of its original blued finish. The Hammer Spring remains in the white. The hammer is the standard eight-groove type, and it retains the vast majority of its original blued finish with very minor friction wear on the sides. The lanyard loop is the correct rounded top narrow style that measures 14.24mm across on the outside.

The sear remains correctly in the white. The trigger bar retains the majority of it blued finish with a friction wear mark over the top edge. The trigger bar spring remains in the white.

The recoil springs and recoil spring guides are both in the white. The trigger has the correct Walther eagle over 359 acceptance stamp on the top left flat. The trigger retains the majority of its original blued finish. The slide stop return spring remains in the white.

The barrel is in fine condition, retaining the majority of its blued finish with thinning noted over the chamber. The barrel has the matching serial number “8727/e” on the front flat. The bottom front barrel rails correctly do not have lightening slots. The locking block retaining spring is the flat leaf style. The unlocking pin is staked in place. The left front barrel rail has the correct Walther eagle over 359 acceptance stamp. The left rear of the barrel has the National Socialist eagle proof stamp. The bore still shows strong rifling with moderate pitting in the lands and grooves, although it is still a very shootable bore. The front site is the standard type with convex top front portion with smooth rear sloping face. There is wear on the top of the front sight blade and it is correctly staked to the front sight base. The witness line on the front of the sight blade corresponds to the matching witness line on the front edge of the front sight base, which is integral to the barrel.

The original Locking Block is in fine condition. On the left side is the Walther eagle over 359 stamp. On the right side is the national socialist acceptance stamp as well as a “3” stamp. The top of the block has the matching serial number “727/e” stamp.

The grip panels are the original grooved, dark brown phenolic type. The grip panels are not serial numbered to the weapon, which is correct for ac42 P.38 pistols. The top circular stamp on both grips has the stylized MPBD mark. The left grip panel bottom circle has the correct “P/1529” left panel specific mold number over the number 2. The right grip panel lower circle has the correct corresponding mold number “P/1528” over the number 2. Both center circles are correctly empty. Both panels are in excellent condition with no cracks or chips noted. The original grip screw retains the majority of its original blued finish, to include the barrel. The single slot is unmarred.

The magazine is a fine condition, but slightly later production Walther manufactured standard type with “P.38v” stamped on the lower left side, which was probably manufactured in late 1943 or early 1944. The Magazine retains 90% plus of its original blued finish with wear noted principally on the front edge from friction. It has the single Walther eagle over 359 acceptance stamps on the spine. The Follower is in very fine condition, retaining virtually all of its original blued finish.

This P.38 comes with a very fine condition, WWII German P.38 Hardshell Holster in black. The leather closure strap is in very fine condition and retains all of its original white stitching. The steel flap boss and ring both retain virtually all of their original black paint. The stitching around the holster body and the extra magazine pouch remains tightly stitched. The back of the holster, between the belt loops, is the manufacturer’s stamp, “dvr / 42 / [stick eagle acceptance stamp] / WaA170” Waffenamt, which are the markings of Johann Froehlich Lederwarenfabrik, in Vienna, Austria. The upper right side of the back of the holster has the correct, large “P.38” stamp.

This is a great example of an early WWII (1942) dated Walther P.38 with very fine black leather, hardshell holster from the same year. This pistol functions perfectly.