Another P38

[Matt Weber]

This is actually a mid-1941 production, know as the variation 2 AC41. In this variation the "AC" was removed from the trigger guard, but it still had the hi polish finish on it.
The type 1 variation has the "AC" on the trigger guard and hi polish finish. The type 3 variation does not have the "AC" on the trigger guard, and has the dull military blue finish.

A very nice looking type 2 AC41 though, with matching mag!! Tough to find these days!

Matt

[Matt Weber]

Hi Douglas,

The highly polished finish on the Walthers ended in the middle of the "i" block of 1941. So, there are 3 basic variations in 1941. The first two are highly polished, the last has the military finish.

Hi roughshooter,

Here is a link to my "h" block 1941 Walther with the original finish. The big giveaway on the high polish guns is the stamps on the right side of the slide. Look at my example and I think you can see what I mean. The right two stamps were applied after the gun was blued. When I look at a high polish Walther, those stamps are the first thing I look for. If they don't look pretty much like what's on my example, I pass. So, on a refinished high polish, those stamps will usually be totally blued. However, I have seen a few for sale that were reblued and had the stamps redone also.

http://lmd-militaria.com/page160.html

Regards, Leon

Leon makes a very good point on these early hi polish P38s about the poof markings on the right side of the slide. That is something that I think a lot of collectors don't look for, or just don't know?

Thank you very much for pointing this out Leon!

Matt