Walther Pistol Model HP / P38

[Jager.303]

I own a Walther pistol that appears to be a Model HP (Heeres Pistol) but I have a suspicion that it might be made up of part of an HP and part of a P38 and I would appreciate it if someone could give me their opinion on this.

The left hand side of the slide shows the Walther banner followed by the notation
"Waffenfabrik Walther, Zella-Mehlis (Thur), Walther's Patent Cal. 9m/m Mod HP"

The right hand side of the slide at the front has a tiny stamp which appears to be an Eagle over an indistinct number or letter. Half way back from this stamp on the right hand side of the slide is a stamp of an Eagle over the number 353. There is a number, 15007, stamped into the under side of the barrel at the front of the slide.

On the right hand side of the frame there is stamped the number 13947 directly above the front of the trigger guard. This number has been electro pencilled into the right hand side of the slide just back and below the tiny stamp of the Eagle and indistinct number or letter.

The grips appear to be made of a dark brown plastic like material, possibly Bakelite, and are of the grooved style. There is a lanyard ring on the left hand side of the grip just above the magazine release.

It occurs to me that the upper part of this pistol is from a Model HP and the lower part is from a P38.

Any advice on this pistol would be welcome.

Information

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[Daan Kemp]

We need photos to be able to answer any questions.

The P38 and HP is the same firearm. Heeres Pistole = army pistol, P38 = pistole and year of introduction in the German army.

[Jager.303]

Hello Daan

Thank you for your reply.

I have taken some photos but I cannot see how to attach them to my initial enquiry!

Jager.303

[Daan Kemp]

It's hiding here somewhere, can't find it right now too.

[browningautorifle]

I have taken some photos but I cannot see how to attach them to my initial enquiry!

Your pics are in your "View photos by Jager.303" and can be seen. The pistol looks like a parts gun, electro pencil number on the slide to correct it to the frame? I think you're right about it being parts but it's still a nice one, kosher for military use.

[Singer B]

While it may be a "parts" pistol, it is in extremely good shape. Very nice!

[Jager.303]

My thanks to 'browningautorifle' and 'Singer B' for their confirmation of my suspicions that this pistol is made up from parts. I wonder what happened to the frame and grip from the original Mod HP.

I take it down to the range once in a while and it functions well. However, it did have a slightly bad habit of the top strap coming free and the rear sight popping off on recoil but that seems to have been cured.

[browningautorifle]

I wonder what happened to the frame and grip from the original Mod HP.

Maybe something simple like two damaged guns being melded to make one? Battle damage comes in many forms... Nothing wrong with it though.

[Singer B]

The fact that any guns made it through the war all intact with all of their parts from the factory is amazing to me.

[browningautorifle]

The fact that any guns made it through the war all intact with all of their parts from the factory

And some were still about perfect...