Thought you might find this somewhat interesting. This is a P.38 I bought from a WWII veteran from Plymouth, Indiana. He took this pistol from the Walther factory shortly after it was occupied by U.S. troops in 1945. The dural frame is definately pre-1945, never had a finish applied and has no proofs, WaA's or serial number. In fact, the only marking on the gun is a serial number on the barrel and a WaA359 on the locking block. Notice the grips. He (the vet) stated the grips came from the factory also, Honestly, I'm a little skeptical about this.If anyone is interested, I can provide more detailed pictures. Any comments are welcome.Merry Christmas to all.....Denny
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Denny---Originally posted by dag001
Now that is what I call an "Interesting" pistol!!!
Be sure and talk to your vet, maybe get an affadavit stating his outfit, and the conditions under which he came about the pistol. Provenance is what this is all about. It was not uncommon for GI's to bring back stuff from Walther, and other factory's. This could easily be a "put together" from parts on hand after the surrender. If you can tie his outfit down to being in the area of the Walther factory at the end of the war, would lend much credence (not to mention value) to the history of this piece.
Krieghoff's were "made up" and sold to GI's from parts left over after the war, and there is no reason to believe some were not done so at the Walther plant. Too, Walther was no stranger to "dural" frames, as I know several of their PP's and PPK pistols had those at an early date. Most interesting to note that it is an "early" style frame without the reinforcing added around the trigger pin.
Too, I wouldn't be too quick to judge the grips either. From the photos, they appear to be of some synthetic substance, and perhaps they were experimenting with something different. You know that there are still a bunch of "phenolic" parts here in the U.S. Made up from layered fabrics and resin. Are there any markings on the back of the grips?? I'm gonna get my Bruxton books down and do a little research..... this is intrigueing !!!
Maybe some of our more learned compadres here will chime in on this one!!! How'z about it Guys!!!
Thanks a bunch for giving us a look at a very interesting piece!!
RonnieThe probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act.
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P.38 Grips
Hi Ronnie,
Thanks for your input. Unfortunately the vet has passed away and I have long since lost touch with any other family members. I bought this P.38 and a dural frame PPK from him in 1982. The PPK had no markings, proofs or serial numbers and was "in the white". Although I realized the significance of the pistols at the time, I was too dumb to try to document them further. I was also dumb enough to sell the PPK about 16 years ago. I have attached a picture of the P.38 grips. They fit as well as regular grips but have no slot for the lanyard ring. The frame is drilled for a lanyard but was never installed. If you need other pictures, let me know. Thanks....Comment
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P38
Hi Denny:
That is certainly a great collector and would hold on to it.Its great that it has a SN# on it as the ATF would want it.
Holliday Wishes, Danny
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The SN# on the barrel is no good as far as the ATF is conserned. I'm positive that the waffen ampt won't fly with them as a "SN#" either. The Receiver (frame) is what needs to have the SN# - that is the part that is classified as a "firearm". The barrel is only considered a "part". Denny you may want to have this thread removed, or get rid of any burnables in your home.... Fires are an odd occurance with those folks.Originally posted by fordgpwHi Denny:
That is certainly a great collector and would hold on to it.Its great that it has a SN# on it as the ATF would want it.
Holliday Wishes, Danny
Read:
Branch Davidians, Waco TX. Fire
Gordon Kahl. Lawrence County, Arkansas. Fire
Robert Mathews. Whidby Island WA. FireComment
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This is certainly a very interesting P38. It's a shame the vet has passed, because I have a laundry list of questions for him!!!
The serial number on the barrel definately helps us determine when the barrel production ceased at wars' end. However, since none of the other parts are serialized, they don't help us out at all!?
Damn! I have a ton of questions about this! Now, I'm not going to be able to sleep tonight! I'll be thinking about this pistol!
Matt
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Hi Matt,Originally posted by Matt WeberThis is certainly a very interesting P38. It's a shame the vet has passed, because I have a laundry list of questions for him!!!
The serial number on the barrel definately helps us determine when the barrel production ceased at wars' end. However, since none of the other parts are serialized, they don't help us out at all!?
Damn! I have a ton of questions about this! Now, I'm not going to be able to sleep tonight! I'll be thinking about this pistol!
Matt
I have always been of the opinion that the barrel and slide were probably manufactured in the 1941-42 time period simply because the quality of the blueing and finish are much better than the late war guns. I could be (probably am) wrong about this. It is however, just one more point that leads me to believe this pistol may be a "put-together" piece. On the other hand, the dural frame IS the early type also. So, does that mean the gun was assembled much earlier than 1945 and just put on the shelf? Like you, I've got more questions than answers on this one. I have tried also to put some sort of value on it and have nothing to comparable to compare it with.
BTW, I always have a couple of tables at the SoS and would be happy to bring it along if anyone is interested. More comments are certainly welcome.
Thanks....Comment
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Yes! Please bring this along to the SOS! and let me know where you will be setting up? (gun show or military show?), and I will definately like to stop by and take a look at this unique P38!
Matt
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Matt,Originally posted by Matt WeberYes! Please bring this along to the SOS! and let me know where you will be setting up? (gun show or military show?), and I will definately like to stop by and take a look at this unique P38!
Matt
Definately at the military show. I could give you my table location from last year, but that would definately bring Murphy's Law into effect and cause me to be relocated somewhere else. I will try to let you know my table location when I know for sure. If not, check the SoS program when you arrive.
Thanks....
DennyComment
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No problem Denny. I'll look for your table. I'll get to the military show on Saturday, so hopefully you'll still be there!
Matt
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