A new acquisition! AC44 Walther P-38!

[imarangemaster]

It has been in the works for some time, and I did not want to jinx it, but I have itnow, so I can share

Thanks to a friend, I have a matching number (except magazine) AC44 Walther P38, Condition is very good, considering its age, with no pitting, and nice patina. Brown bakelite grips are 100%, with just some surface wear.

It has "P38" and "ac 44" on the left side, along with serial number "8XXXh". The right side of the slide has what looks like a small Waffenamt eagle over "356" the the remains of a lager eagle, then the same smaller eagle over 356.

The left side of the frame also has the same serial number, and another small Waffenamt eagle over the "356".

It was supposedly a bring back that has been in the family for may years. It was in a hardshell Luger holster (I did not get that). It came with an aftermarket magazine, but I have two WW2 vintage magazines headed this way, as well as a 1943 stamped "joa WaA 706" soft shell holster in good shape.

I'll post some pics when I get it all together.

Information

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[matthanne1]

congrats, you may have caught the P38 disease...btw the waa mark should be 359, 135 was Mauser, 88 was Spreewerke. Now that you know, you have a new quest, to get one of each.

[browningautorifle]

Yes, I had one too, or two too...and understand the excitement. We'll be looking for pics.

AC should be Walther...

[imarangemaster]

congrats, you may have caught the P38 disease...btw the waa mark should be 359, 135 was Mauser, 88 was Spreewerke. Now that you know, you have a new quest, to get one of each.

You are right, I think it is a 359. I am assuming, as you say, that "ac" is Walther made, and "44" is the year of production. Are the inside of the grips supposed to be serial numbered? I can't find any serial numbers on the grips. I was just notified, my 1943 holster, and two WW2 vintage mags are waiting in my post office box!

I have always wanted a P38 since 1965 I was 13 or so, and saw one in Small Arms of the World. It was cemented by the fact that Napoleon Solo (The Man from UNCLE) had a P38K. The Luger never caught my fancy, and though I dabbled with Broomhandles in the 80s, I have always wanted a wartime P38! I have had opportunities for P1s when they were cheap, and even a Grey Ghost 1946. Never struck a chord, though. When my friend offered me this, I was besides myself. It is perfect to go with my S&W Victory Model and my Inland M1 carbine.

[imarangemaster]

First the Holster pics: Incredibly well preserved and supple. I am guessing the holster was occasionally oiled and was in a dresser drawer or something. It has the name " T4 (Tech Sgt.) OK Anderson" written in the flap in black ink, and OKA carved in the outside of the top of the flap. It also has OK Anderson's name and address electro-pencil marked on the original magazine that came with the holster. The are some other marking on the side flap that I think are German (posibly the serial number for the weapon?), and an Ink Stamp under the main flap.

It is in unbelievable condition. Forgive the pictures. I could not get the flash on my wife's fancy Nikon D-90 to work.









And now for the weapon. It is well worn, and some markings like the "ac" are faint, but if the light is right you can see them. Bore is sharp, with some frost. All springs seem strong, though I haven't fired it yet. They grips are original, and very brown, though the darn camera really doesn't grab it without the flash. All number I can find match. I was impressed how incredibly easy it is to field strip.

[imarangemaster]

Handling it today just reminded me that in about 1967 or 1968, I had one of the Nakata all metal P38 replica! It came with black plastic grips, but I actually found a set of original brown bakelite grips at a junk/antique shop in Blue Island, IL, and put them on it. I absolutely loved it. I hung on to that for many years, even after I was married and had kids. My son played army with it in the early 80s. It was in a box that got lost during a move from Washington back to California in 1988. I had other Nakata replicas that I had collected lost with it: Browning Highpower, PPK, 1910 Browning, and S&W Model 19 2 1/2".

[browningautorifle]

Well, now you have that beat, you have the real one. Nice looking pistol. Well worn and well used too...

[oldfoneguy]

Congrats and good luck with your new pistol. I love mine, find it easy to shoot and very accurate to boot. If I may here is a production chart for all wartime P38's made. http://www.p38forum.com/P38ProductionDates.pdf
According to the chart all Walther (AC 44) H block pistols were made during August 1944. A total of 130,000 P38's were made by Walther that year so if your willing to do the math you could probably figure out the exact day it was made. Mine is a Mauser (BYF 44) and the records aren't as specific on their production so best I can figure is mine was made between April and May that year.
I have no experience with them but from what I have read the aftermarket P38 mags aren't that great. I have 2 matching mags but for shooting it I purchased a couple of post war original Walther mags that work great and I don't have to worry about loosing or damaging my original matching mags. If you plan on using it get yourself a Wolff standard power spring set and replace all those 72+ year old springs. Avoid the extra power springs for a wartime pistol as they will put undue stresses on it that it doesn't need. The extra power springs are more geared to later made P1's that can use +P ammo. These pistols work on spring pressure so old worn ones lead to problems with feeding and ejection which will soil the reputation of an excellent pistol and can ruin a day at the range. Bill

[browningautorifle]

First time I fired one I had the surprise of it ejecting across to the left. We were just discussing that here a few dozen threads back too...

[imarangemaster]

Thanks! I did some kibitzing on the web, and came to the same conclusion. I already ordered the Wolff spring kit, and I have already ordered two post-war P1/P38 factory mags for my "shooter" mags, and they are supposed to be here today.. I got another wartime mag off E-bay, and it has the serial numbered plate, but the body is parkerized. The follower also has fore and aft channels in the top of it.