GUN SPRING 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/11/2017
EARLY IMPORTANT WALTHER, MOD. HP, P.38 PROTOTYPE PISTOL. WALTHER HP 1012 9MM MODERN; C&R Cal. 9mm. Early Walther P.38 prototype, marked as "Mod. HP", with heavy slide, internal extractor, rectangular firing pin, bbl with lug lightening cuts, anvil hammer, and earliest style checkered wood grips. Assembled following the AP series and prior to standard P.38 production, well documented and inside the short established serial range of 1000 - 1015 for preproduction guns. Serial number 1009 is the earliest known example, entirely in-the-white and pictured in Warren Buxton's classic books "The P.38 Pistol, Volume II", pg 153. This particular example, more fully finished, still has a 5" in-the-white bbl, with drift adjustable front sight, whose lug extension has been internally lightened. The left side of the in-the-white slide is marked with Walther banner followed by a 2-line address that includes "Mod. HP" as part of the second line. Internal extractor, thick rear sight, and absent loaded indicator spring and firing pin block. The full SN "1012" only appears on the right side of the blued frame (no SN on bbl or slide). The take-down lever is marked with a small "2" on the inner surface and locking lug is numbered "41" on inner surface, the pistol has no other markings or proofs. Early style wood checkered grips with minimal thumb rest and left panel with round recess for lanyard loop. Extensive checkering over each side grip with wrap-around pattern to include backstrap. Neither grip has internal markings. Unmarked mag from a later gun with a matte finish. PROVENANCE: The Esteemed Collection Of Noted Expert And Author Warren Buxton. CONDITION: The bbl and slide assembly are in-the-white with portions having been more recently polished. The frame and associated small parts have approximately 95% of orig salt blue, with wear in expected areas from handling. Orig grips are in very good condition with oil staining and scattered surface dings as one might expect from a test pistol. Excellent mag. Bright bore with minor oxidation and sharp rifling. Perfect manual mechanics with missing loaded indicator spring and firing pin block as previously noted. An extraordinarily scarce gun whose early developmental features easily eclipse partial restoration. 51568-31 LMA (7,500-15,000)