Need help with unusual P38

[Bsweeney]

I have a Walther P38 Finish Blue With no Walther banner or manufacture ID of any kind on the slide only serial number 7797e, the gun matches and also carries eagle 359 and eagle swazstika proof marks. Does anyone anyone have any ideas about this gun?
Thanks'
Bill

[leondes]

Bill,

Your P.38 was made at Walther, from the waffenamt number. There have been some P.38s reported where the P.38 and the ac code were not stamped on the slide. It was apparently a missed production step. It could also be that the gun was refinished and those markings were buffed off. I would have to see good pictures of the gun to give an opinion about that.

Hope this helps.

Regards, Leon

[Bsweeney]

Unfortunately I do not have photos yet, I can tell you that after carefull examination of the gun I can see nothing at all to indicate any removal of banner also finish is a beautiful old looking blue. I own a P08 that has the eagle proofs buffed off and you can see that it was done. There is nothing at all to make me suspect this was done here.
Thanks'
Bill

[Josh Beckett]

Walther banners mostly appear on P1s.

[leondes]

Hi Josh,

The Walther banner also appears on the zero series and HP P.38s that were made during the Third Reich era. The E/359 stamp on his gun would be a Third Reich era marking having been inspected by the Heereswaffenamt (Army Ordnance Office). However, no zero series or HP ever had a suffix letter to the serial number so it seems likely his gun could never have had a Walther banner.

Regards, Leon

[Josh Beckett]

How much would a banner one be?

[leondes]

Josh,

That is a tough question because there are so many variations that have the banner, some quite rare. A first model zero in 98% condition with a matched mag could cost $10,000 or more. A common late war HP in 98% condition could cost $2,500.

Of course, prices can vary depending on what part of the country you are in, if the seller knows what they have and how bad the buyer wants the example.

Regards, Leon