Make: Walther, imported by PTR 91

Model: P38, P1

Serial Number: 268940

Year of Manufacture: The frame was made 1963-1967, the slide/barrel assembly was made in 1962.

Caliber: 9mm Parabellum

Action Type: Single or Double Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine

Barrel Length: 5"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a "U"-notch dovetailed to the rear of the slide.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered black plastic with a slight thumb-shelf and a lanyard ring on the left panel, for a right-handed shooter. The grips have light handling wear with scattered nicks, scuffs, scrapes and scratches. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Phosphate & Black Alloy Frame

Finish Originality: Original to the parts. The barrel, and locking block are serial-matched, the slide has been force-matched to the barrel assembly, but they do not match the frame.

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is infrequent minor erosion and some stubborn copper fouling in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 8/10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 90% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges, more notable on the slide and barrel assemblies. There are a few minor nicks and scuffs. The action shows operational wear. The screw head is sharp. The markings are generally clear, the original serial marking on the slide has been struck out. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good condition as not parts original.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a single 8-round 1962 produced Walther magazine.

Our Assessment: The P38 was the first locked breech pistol to have a single action/double action trigger and used a de-cocker instead of a safety to lower the hammer and allow the pistol to be carried hammer down on a loaded chamber. The P38 was adopted as Germany's main service pistol at the beginning of WWII. After the war, P38s were manufactured by the French using captured Walther machines, and Manurhin was eventually licensed by Walther to produce the pistols commercially. In 1955, West Germany was allowed to reestablish its armed forces and Walther secured a contract to produce pistols for the newly established Bundeswehr. In 1963, the Army formally adopted the pistol as the P1 and remained in use through 2004. The design saw repeated updates, including reinforced slides, frames, and different barrel construction.

This pistol's was produced 1963-1967 and has a slightly earlier production barrel assembly with a slide that has been force-matched to the barrel. Unfortunately, these parts do not match the frame, but it is still a nice example of the P1, produced early enough that it was still marked "P38". It should prove to be an interesting addition to a collection or a fun shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!