WW2 German/East German/Czech/British marked P.38

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This P.38 has a Spreewerk frame, a Mauser slide, and a Czech barrel with a Walther locking block. As evidenced by its markings it has seen much use.

The frame is of 1945 Spreewerk manufacture. It also bears a post-war East German Administrative District 17 (17 in a sunburst) marking next to the serial number, followed by the Birmingham nitro proof mark (crown over BNP). Under the left grip is the frame control number 772, a marking unique to Spreewerk manufactured frames. An early Walther accepted trigger (eagle over 359) is installed.

Frame left side Field stripped with grips removed	Frame left side close-up Serial number, East German, and British markings	Under the left grip Frame control number

The Mauser slide is fully accepted and proofed by the Germans (WW2) on the right side, but has had the serial number ground off the left side and is re-stamped to match the frame. The front left side of the slide bears the Birmingham nitro proof mark. The firing pin has been modified to the East German style.

Slide left side Showing wartime and post-war markings	Slide left side Old serial number ground off and new one applied	Slide left front BNP marking	Slide right side WW2 Mauser markings

The barrel is of Czech manufacture and is stamped WaA76 on the left side (indicating it was intended for wartime use by the Germans), and 'fnh' on the underside. It also is stamped on the top with the Czech 'rampant lion' indicating post-war Czech use. British proof marks are found on the top of the barrel, conforming to the 1954 Rules of Proof. This indicates the pistol was proof tested in England between 1954 and 1989.The locking block is of wartime Walther manufacture and is both proofed and accepted. It appears to have the remnants of an old serial number that was not completely ground off, and is stamped with the last three digits of the frame serial number.

Left front side of barrel WW2 German acceptance mark	Underside of barrel Manufacturer code 'fnh' and locking block serial number	Top of barrel just forward of chamber Post-war Czech marking	Top of barrel above chamber British proof mark	Left side of locking block WW2 German proof mark	Right side of locking block WW2 Walther acceptance mark	Front barrel flat Serial number

The grips are of wartime manufacture, as is the Mauser magazine.

Wartime grips This type would most likely be found on a Walther pistol	Standard wartime magazine Late Mauser, marked P38v on the left side and eagle over WaA135 on the spine

As seen by the numerous and varied markings, this pistol has seen use or at least been present in five countries: Nazi Germany, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, England, and the United States.

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