March 15-17, 2022 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/17/2022
P.38 semi-automatic pistol manufactured by Mauser near the end of WWII. This variation is unique, in that the slide was manufactured by Fabrique Nationale in Liege, Belgium and is stamped "P38 ac/44", signifying its intent for use at the Walther factory. The right side of the slide bears 2 Mauser eagle/135 waffenamts surrounding a firing proof, indicating final assembly at the Mauser factory. The frame and slide are both phosphate finished, with the barrel being blued. Frame is mounted with 2-piece grooved black polyamide grips. The blued magazine is stamped "P38/U" indicating that the feed lips were not hardened. Matching numbers are present on the frame, slide, barrel, and locking block. This example is accompanied by a brown leather holster marked "bla/1944" and "(Eagle)/WaA159", indicating manufacture by E. G. Leuner in Bautzen, Germany, that contains a spare phosphate finished magazine. CONDITION: Excellent, with metal components retaining the vast majority of their original factory-applied phosphate and blued finishes, exhibiting some high edge wear as well as some scattered handling marks overall. Mirror bore, exhibiting well-defined lands and grooves throughout. Grips show some light superficial handling marks overall, with the bottom rear of the right panel showing a small spot of marring. Holster shows some age-related cracking and minor spots of crazing but is otherwise sturdy and serviceable. A very fine example of an extremely intriguing and rare Mauser produced P.38 variation. MLW
Accessories
Holster, Extra magazine