GUN SPRING 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, April 11, 2017.
EARLY IMPORTANT WALTHER P.38 PISTOL PROTOTYPE. WALTHER P38 1018 9MM MODERN; C&R Cal. 9mm. Early Walther P.38 prototype with heavy slide, internal extractor, rectangular firing pin, anvil hammer, and prototype locking block retention. 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. More important is the experimental extension pinned to the front of the locking block. 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 just behind the dismounting lever. The full SN "1018" only appears on the right side of the frame (no SN on bbl, slide, or locking lug). Early black plastic checkered grips, each panel molded with four encircled codes. Mag is from a later gun with the left side marked "P.38/ac". PROVENANCE: The Esteemed Collection Of Noted Expert And Author Warren Buxton. CONDITION: Professional restoration with approximately 70-75% reapplied blue, each side of the slide with cold blue touch-up. Crisp original grips and mag. Bright bore with sharp rifling. Perfect manual mechanics. An extraordinarily scarce gun whose early developmental features easily eclipse its status as a restoration. 51568-63 LMA (7,500-15,000)