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The P.38 was a cutting edge semi-automatic pistol design, which introduced technical features still used today in current commercial and military semi-automatic pistols, including the Beretta 92FS and its M9 sub-variant adopted by the United States military. 22 Long Rifle versions were also manufactured and sold. In addition to the 9×19mm Parabellum version, some 7.65×21mm Parabellum and some. 38 Super, but these were never mass-produced. Several experimental versions were later created in.
#Walther serial numbers lookup code
The third series pistols satisfactorily solved the previous problems for the Heer and mass production began in mid-1940, using Walther's military production identification code "480". Walther began manufacture at their plant in Zella-Mehlis and produced three series of "Test" pistols, designated by a "0" prefix to the serial number.

The P38 concept was accepted by the German military in 1938 but production of prototype ("Test") pistols did not begin until late 1939. The first designs submitted to the German Army featured a locked breech and a hidden hammer, but the Heer ( German Army) requested that it be redesigned with an external hammer. It was intended to replace the costly Luger P08, the production of which was scheduled to end in 1942. The Walther P38 (originally written Walther P.38) is a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol that was developed by Carl Walther GmbH as the service pistol of the Wehrmacht at the beginning of World War II. Short recoil, hinged locking piece assisted breechblockġ,050 ft/s (320 m/s) Zero models run from 01-013000, with the Walther banner.Carl Walther Waffenfabrik, Mauser Werke, Spreewerk
#Walther serial numbers lookup serial number
To identify P38 serial numbers, reference a P38 serial number listing, such as the one found on the Ole' Army Joel site. Mauser and Spreewerke P38s changed their system from year to year, with each year being unique. However, 1943 models ranged from 1 to 9999n. The first-issue P38s in 1940 had serial numbers that ranged from 01 to 01000. Each year and manufacturer had a different serial number system. An unloaded P38 should weigh 800g, or 1.76 pounds.Identify the serial numbers.Īfter the manufacturer stamping, the serial numbers are stamped to the right of the pistol, above the handle. According to Wehrmacht-Awards, the P38 is 216 millimeters long, with a barrel length of 125 millimeters. Using a machinist's ruler and a small scale, measure and weigh the P38. Followed by the date, while Spreewerke models were stamped either CYQ or CVQ.Measure and weigh the P-38. A 1943 Walther P38 is identified by AC43. After the P38 designation, an alpha, or alpha-numeric stamped designation is found.Īll Walther-produced P38s are designated AC, followed by the final two digits of the year manufactured. On the first issue, or '0' series, the trademark Walther banner is found at the extreme left, immediately followed by 'P38.'.

On the extreme left, 'P38' is stamped into the metal. With the pistol pointing to your left, look at the main metal assembly holding the barrel, with the trigger directly underneath. Although there are specifics to look for, depending on the manufacturer, the P38 is an easily identifiable firearm.Examine the P-38. However, in 1957, Walther manufactured a similar pistol, called the P1. Production of the P38 ended with the war. Although Walther designed and manufactured the P38, Mauser and Spreewerke also produced them to keep up with wartime demand. Designed by Fritz Walther, Walther pistols were well-designed, reliable 9-mm firearms that were cheaper to produce than the Luger P08. Walther and Luger were the handgun providers to the German Army in World War II. They also started a new serial number sequence, For the PP the serial numbers started at 700,001 and the the PPK at 800,001. Walther started up their own re-manufacturing of the PP line in 1985/1986.
