GUN SPRING 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/11/2017
INCREDIBLE WALTHER AP MILITARY TEST PISTOL, SLOTTED STEEL FRAME, TWO MATCHING MAGAZINES, CORRECT STOCK. WALTHER AP 021 9MM MODERN; C&R; IMPORT Cal. 9mm. Walther made a series of about 50 Armee Pistoles, all double action with an internal hammer, for testing prior to the military's acceptance of the P38. This standard configuration gun may be the only example to have a 5" bbl with a slotted frame and Crown/N proofing. As per most pistols in this serial range, the gun has a 5" bbl, drift adjustable front sight and "U" notched rear sight. The sides of the slide were made with ridged reinforcement. The left side is marked "Waffenfabrik Walther Zella-Mehlis (Thur)" surmounting the Walther banner and the model denomination "Armee-Pistole Cal. 9mm". The slide mounted safety lever, toward the rear of the slide, has the fire position denoted by a recessed red dot. The right side of the slide is simply marked "Walthers Patent". The right side of the frame is marked with the serial number "021" in large digits that are repeated on the slide and the bbl. The locking block is numbered "019". The bbl and slide are also stamped with a much smaller inspection number "21". The pistol has standard wooden AP grips, the left with a circular recess for a lanyard ring. They are each stamped "21" with the number having been repeated twice on left panel. Complete with two factory orig matching magazines, numbered 021-41 and 021-42. Fitted with an incompletely finished and unnumbered stock made from two pieces of wood having the levered lug that snugly attaches to the tang. Unlike most stocks, this one does not have the spring-loaded plunger to help open the lid nor is there provision for the lid-mounted disassembly tool. The attaching iron is more brightly polished than usual with the locking lever having a small "0" on its inner surface. Complete with unique, orig canvas carrier. PROVENANCE: The Esteemed Collection of Noted Expert and Author Warren Buxton. CONDITION: At least 98-99% bright original blue with negligible sharp edge wear. No noticeable wear on the front strap. Excellent grips with sharp checkering and only minimal oil darkening. Same superb condition applies equally to each of the two factory matching magazines. Mirror bright bore. Perfect manual mechanics. Incomplete but nearly finished stock and canvas carrier in the same condition. Despite the mismatched locking block and the incompletely finished stock, this is truly a super rare Walther AP rig with two factory matching magazines. 51568-15 lma (40,000-60,000)