The P.38 replaced the production of the time-consuming and expensive P.08. It was the numerically most common pistol of the German Wehrmacht. The production started 1939 at Walther and at Mauser and Spreewerke 1942
Technical data:
| Caliber: | 9 mm Para |
| Function: | lock-breech; double-Action |
| Barrel length: | 125 mm |
| Weight: | 960 g |
| Magazine capacity: | 8 rounds |
- 'P.38 cyq' - serial number: Finish: rough finish - blued: Grips: redbrown Bakelit grips with horizontal lines: Serial number: 4-digit number left on frame. 4-digit number left on slide. 4-digit number on barrel. 3-digit number locking block. Acceptance stamp: E/WaA 88 left on frame. 2 x E/WaA 88 right on slide.
- These are original WWII steel frame P-38 pistols. I just acquired a Spreewerke P.38, with 'cvq' code, no date. The serial number is 3975 n. According to LTC Joel Johnston, (Ret), US Army, who has a website ( www.olarmyjoel.com) giving values for various P.38 military variants, the 'cvq' was a 'Last ditch P.38 after 'cyq' die broke.
Seller's Description: LSB#: 160927WK08 Make: Spreewerke Factory at Zittau-Grottau Model: P38 Serial Number: 03563 Year of Manufacture: June 1945 (This is the most likely estimated date as shown on Pg. 2, “The P.38 Pistol” by Buxton) Caliber: 9mm Parabellum Action Type: Single or Double Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine. This pistol has a de-cocker lever.
Production data:
Company: | Waffenfabrik Walther Mauser-Werke Spreewerke Metallwarenfabrik |
Location: | Walther: Zella-Mehlis (Thüringen) Mauser: Oberndorf am Neckar Spreewerke: Berlin |
Period: | 1939 - 1945 |
Amount: | 1,224,600 |
Serial numbers: | 1 - 10000 mit Suffix |
The P.38 is split in 3 major variations, according to manufacturer. This major variations are split in subvariations according code.
Manufacturer 'Waffenfabrik Walther' (480 code variation; approx. 111,000 pieces)
Spreewerk Cyq P38
This variation was manufactured after the Zero-series. Serial started at 1 and went to 7.200. After this the weapons with ac-code followed. This weapon was manufactured in June 1940. This weapon is refinished. It is a rare bird so I wants to show you in this condition too.
Characteristics:
P38 Serial Numbers Spreewerke 88 Series
Legend: | 'P.38' - '480' - serial number |
| Finish: | Re-finished |
| Grips: | black-brown Bakelit grips with horizontal lines |
| Serial number: | 4-digit number left on frame 4-digit number left on slide 4-digit number on barrel 3-digit number locking block |
| Acceptance stamp: | E/359 left on frame 2 x E/359 right on slide E/359 left on barrel E/359 right on locking block E/359 on nearby every small part |
| Test proof stamp: | E HK right on slide E HK links on barrel E HK links on locking block |