German Walther P38 P-38 5” SA/DA Semi-Automatic Pistol C&R ac 1943
SOLD FOR: $937
WOA#: WY240122TK009
Make: Walther
Model: P38
Serial Number: 287 c
Year of Manufacture: 1943
Caliber: 9x19mm (9mm Luger)
Action Type: Single or double action semi-auto with removable magazine. This pistol has a decocker lever.
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “P.38”, “ac 43”, and “287 c”. The safety lever-well is marked “S” and “F”. The right side of the slide is marked with a reichsadler and two “359” waffenamt stamps. The left side of the frame is marked “287 c” and a “359” waffenamt. The barrel assembly face is marked “287 c”. The left side of the barrel assembly is marked with a “359” waffenamt. The left side of the magazine is marked “P.38”. The Holster is marked “P38” with a reichsadler “WaA86” and a factory code.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed into a barrel mounted base. The rear sight is a u-notch blade set into the top of the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are serrated black plastic that enclose the backstrap. The left grip has a lanyard ring protruding through it from the grip frame. The grip screw head is sharp with minimal tool marks. There are scuffs and scratches throughout the grip panels. There are no chips or cracks. The grips rate in Good overall condition.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: 1x 8 round magazine in Good Condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright and the rifling is well defined. There is some minor erosion in the grooves of the bore. There is also some fouling on the lands. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 6 out of 10.
Many military and C&R eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide. For example, the U.S. used corrosive ammunition throughout WWII. The U.S. military did not begin to phase out corrosive-primed ammunition until the 1950s.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 65% of its metal finish. The blueing has thinned significantly but is still present on the slide and the barrel. There is spotting and surface scratches throughout the body of the slide. The slide and hammer serrations are sharp. The finish has been mostly worn away on the trigger guard and front strap of the frame. There is operational wear from the detent of the safety on the indicator recess on the slide. The finish is worn off the ears of the rear sight and the blade of the front sight. The finish has worn off the magazine release. The muzzle has a small dent at the 4 0’clock position and the exterior of the barrel shows some spotting. The ejector is loose and moves when there is no magazine inserted into the pistol. Over all this pistol rates in about Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The decocker and safety function correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This handgun includes one x 8 round magazine and black leather P38 holster.
Our Assessment: The Walther P38, a product of German arms manufacturer Walther, emerged during the interwar period as a significant handgun in military service. Its design and features, though innovative for its time, were centered on practicality and functionality rather than ostentation. One notable feature of the P38 was its adoption of a double-action/single-action (DA/SA) trigger system. This allowed soldiers to carry the pistol with a round in the chamber safely, with the first shot requiring a longer, heavier trigger pull (double-action) followed by subsequent shots with a lighter pull (single-action). Another notable feature was the inclusion of a decocker built into the safety. Chambered in 9mm Parabellum, a widely available and effective cartridge, the P38 offered soldiers reliable firepower with its 8-round magazine capacity. Its construction, predominantly of steel, provided durability, while its ergonomic grips aimed to enhance comfort and control during use. The P38’s service during World War II as one of the standard sidearms for German forces underscored its practicality and reliability in combat situations. Post-war, it continued to see use in various capacities within military and law enforcement circles worldwide. Despite its historical significance and influence on firearm design, the Walther P38’s enduring legacy lies more in its functionality and reliability rather than extravagant features or grandiose claims. It remains a testament to the pragmatic approach to firearms design that characterized its era. Please see our photos and best of luck with your bidding!!!-R.L.
