P.38 collection

[Jason L]

Did I mention I like P.38's.All WWII,no repeats (all different variations).All matching except ac45 3rd var."factory mismatch".Have many more to go to complete the set.Hope you like them

[Ben Evans]

you have a few then it is my aim to eventually have one from every year of wartime manufacture

[Jason L]

you have a few then it is my aim to eventually have one from every year of wartime manufacture

Good plan! I started that way and then got hooked.First I was collecting Walthers then went on from there.I like the Mauser (byf) the best.The quality of the byf was consistant right until the end of the war.The early guns and scarce variations can be pricey,but there are more reasonably priced than P08's.Good hunting in 2009 Ben

[Adrian Stevenson]

Very impressive collection!

Cheers, Ade.

[Ben Evans]

Von is this P38 are rare one? marked 480, according to the dealer very rare, but then again he is asking over £1000 for an ac40 marked pistol where in Ryton they are £425!!!!! But at the moment I dont know much about weapons

[Ben Evans]

This is on the same site at £695, much more expensive than the Ryton ones which are £325, then again he is asking almost £300 for a Mosin Nagant rifle, they are £125 at Ryton

[Jason L]

Hi Ben,I have a lot of info to share on my favorite subject,P.38's
ac=Walther
byf(svw late war)=Mauser
cyq(cvq late war)=Spreewerke
commercial pistols designated HP(Heerespistole) or P.38(late war only)

The HP was introduced in 1937 by Walther as a conteder to fill the need for a pistol with a simpler design for the Wermacht.The HP was adopted in 1938 and hence the name P.38.The Luger was costly to produce and hard to manufacture.The army was looking for a pistol that was user friendly and easy to manufacture.They also sought a design that could be made by different weapons producers and maintain interchangeable parts.The P.38 filled the bill.It was also the first double action pistol to be adopted by an army.

Walther commercial pistols come in 4 variations
1-Mod HP high gloss finish
2-Mod HP high gloss with alloy frame
3-Mod HP late war with military dark blue finish
4-Mod P.38 commercial(late war model capitalizing on the fame of the name)
Pistols from 1937 to 1939 are proofed crown N
Pistols from1940 to 1945 are proofed Eagle N
25,000 total production
The commercial pistols are highly regarded by collectors and prime "live" examples(matching,95+%) fetch 2-3 thousand usd.

Walther Zero Series
Walther zero series come in three varitions.These were the first run of military pistols.They are very well made,and carry the Walther banner.The serial number starts with a zero.
-1st zero series concealed extractor/rectangular firing pin(1,000 made)
-2nd zero series standard extractor/rectanglar firing pin(2,300 made)
-3rd zero series standard extractor/standard firing pin(10,000 made)
Another desireable set these guns in good condition run from 2k for a 3rd zero to 6K for a 1st Zero series.

Walther 480 code
First true military contract pistols
Two variations,one with a round lanyard loop.2nd var. has a rectangular loop
7,200 produced in mid 1940
Very sought after prize.They run between 5-8 thousand usd.

ac no date
Just ac code no date(produced Oct 1940)
2,800 produced and RARE
95%6-8K usd

ac 40
1st var.ac added.The 40 was hand stamped 6,000 prodced
2nd var.ac 40 rolled.The 40 was rolled with the ac.14,000 produced.
Very sought after.
added 3500.00usd
ac40 2000.00usd

This is part one.I submit part 2 soon.
Sources:
Axis Pistols by Still Vol 2
Standard Catalog of Military Firearms by Peterson 4th edition

[Ben Evans]

Von, that is great thanks, at least it is a good start for me to learn from

[Bill Grist]

VON, Great looking collection of P-38.. Keep up the good work...Bill

[packin9]

Did I mention I like P.38's.All WWII,no repeats (all different variations).All matching except ac45 3rd var."factory mismatch".Have many more to go to complete the set.Hope you like them

Very nice! Hope you get to complete your collection.