GUN SPRING 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/11/2017
EARLY AND IMPORTANT PRE-PRODUCTION P38 PISTOL. WALTHER P38 1019 9 MM MODERN; C&R Cal. 9mm. Early Walther P.38 prototype with lightened bbl lug, heavy slide, internal extractor, rectangular firing pin, anvil hammer. Assembled following the AP series and prior to standard P.38 production, well inside the short established serial range of preproduction guns. This particular example has a 5" bbl whose lug extension has been internally lightened and marked with an Eagle/359 acceptance. The left side of the slide is marked with Walther banner and "P 38". Internal extractor and narrow rear sight. The Eagle/359 proof is on the left side of the frame (very faintly) behind the dismounting lever. The full SN "1019" only appears on the right side of the frame (no SN on bbl, slide, or locking lug). Small parts are blued and unmarked except for slide release that has an Eagle/359 acceptance. Early black plastic checkered grips, each panel molded with four encircled codes, left panel having circled recess for the lanyard ring. Mag is from a later gun with the left side marked "P.38v/U". Complete with brown hard-shell holster whose obverse surface is marked "A.KIND/HUNSTIG/1940". PROVENANCE: The Esteemed Collection Of Noted Expert And Author Warren Buxton. CONDITION: Appears as a tool room assembly with a finished but unnumbered bbl mated to a very rough milled unfinished slide showing extensive staining and light oxidative speckling. Blued frame subsequently had both sides polished white at which point most of the Eagle/359 acceptance behind the dismounting lever was removed. The remaining blue would be estimated at 98%. Comparable condition grips and poor condition, unfinished in the white magazine with considerable staining and etching. Bright bore with sharp rifling. Manual function is unreliable and will need some tweaking. Excellent brown hard shell holster showing no suggestion of polishing or re-stitching. 51568-72 LMA (7,500-15,000)