Did the ac44 Walther P-38 all have the red/brown grips? I am looking at one that has black grips
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P-38 Grips
Grips are easily switched, but Walther (AC) made P-38's usually have Black grips, & Mauser (byf) usually have the red-brown. -
It kind of depends on the letter suffix. Early ac44's will typically have the reddish brown bakelite grips. Later ac44s can have either the reddish brown or darker grips. The smooth black plastic grips are for a Mauser starting in mid 1944 and continuing until the end of production.
I mentioned "typically" because the Germans did not pay attention to the grip color like collectors do. There are certain combinations that are not considered correct but very little is "cut and dried". If an early ac44 had darker brown grips rather than the reddish brown type, I could not call it absolutely wrong.
The main thing for most all Walther grips is that the circle in the lower part of the underside of the grips will have "1528" on the right grip and "1529" on the left grip. If the color is correct but the number in the circle is 1 to 12, the grips are for a Spreewerk P.38.
Regards, LeonComment
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Most of my Walthers after 43 have red/brown grips.My late war Mausers have black grips.For some time Walther/Mauser shared grip production until Mauser switched to the soft black grips.So like Leon said nothing is "cut+dried"Originally posted by BOB K. (RKSS) View Post
Mark@p38guns.com has some great research on p38 grips
http://www.p38guns.com/Gripinfo.htmComment
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My post was based on observation during 29 years militaria collecting. I'm not a specialist on P-38, but purchased at least 2 dozen direct from U.S. WWII Veterans (& examined 100's at gun shows), & the grips on Walthers were usually Black bakelite; on Mausers: Red-Brown bakelite.
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Hi Bob,
I am one of the Moderators over at the P.38 Forum so I basically live and breathe P.38s.
Walther (and Mauser) started using the reddish brown bakelite grips in mid 1943. Earlier, darker grips can be mixed in after that but the predominant grip type is reddish brown. In mid 1944, Mauser switched to the soft black plastic grips. Again, earlier type grips (usually reddish brown bakelite) can be seen on the later Mausers but the predominant grip type is the black plastic. From mid 1944 on, Walther primarily used the reddish brown bakelite grips but a significant number of the darker bakelite grips were mixed in. Very late, primarily in the ac45 "c" block, Durofol grips can be found although they are rather scarce.
Another of the Moderators over at the P.38 Forum (Mark C.) has put together a lot of info about grips. I had put some info together as well but Mark went a lot further with the research than I did. Here is a link to his research: http://p38guns.com/Gripinfo.htm
Regards, LeonLast edited by leondes; 08-12-2008, 04:57 PM.Comment
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I have noted black P38 grips with no markings whatsoever on the inside. What is the meaning of this?
JimComment
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Hi Jim,
The late Mauser black soft plastic grips had no markings on the underside.
Regards, LeonComment
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How about stamped Steel grips ?
Question: I've seen gray finished Stamped Steel P-38 military grips, & was told they are War's end production. Any info on that type?
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Bob,
There is evidence that Mauser (being one of the foremost producers of stamped parts for guns) was working on stamped steel grips for the P.38s. Some have been observed with the Eagle/WaA135 waffenamt stamp on the underside. However, it appears that the war ended before they were introduced into production so the French used them on their post war produced P.38s. My guess is that they were still being tested for use when the war ended.
Regards, LeonComment
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