ac41 p38

SeanCoffey · 01-22-2013, 11:43 PM

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Hey everyone! I just inherited a nice P38. I did a little reaserch on it and its a Walther 1941 that has all of the correct markings. The question I have with it is the serial number. Most I've seen has four or more numbers in it. This one has 166 d for the number. Can anyone give me a little information on it? I'd appreciate it greatly!

Diver6106 · 01-24-2013, 02:23 PM

Post some pictures and you'll get some feedback. It sounds like an early one - hope it is all original and in good condition.

searcher451 · 01-24-2013, 07:04 PM

The serial numbers on P.38 pistols ran from 1 through 9,999, then 1a through 9,999a, then 1b through 9,999b, then 1c through 9,999c, etc. through the alphabet. A good investment for you would be Dieter Marschall's excellent book "Walther Pistols Models 1 Through P99," which has an informative section on the P.38 pistols and its successors.

Do post some photos of your pistol; we'd all love to take a look. This ...

Tips for shooting, and posting, great photos

... should help.

MGMike · 01-24-2013, 07:45 PM

Except that I once examined a Mauser-made P.38 that was serialized 10,000.

It wasn't supposed to exist, but there it was.

M

searcher451 · 01-24-2013, 08:00 PM

They also were supposed to cycle out the serial numbers in strict sequential order, but they didn't always do that, either. From Herr Marschall's book: "At times the end of the year would cause the numbering sequence to start over at 1. For example, the numbering sequence could have been at 7,000y at year's end, and the sequence would revert to 1 with the beginning of the next year and then the sequence would continue with the a, b, etc., suffixes after the 'no suffix' block was used."

Hope you still have that 10,000 Mauser, MGMike. Would love to see that one.

SeanCoffey · 01-25-2013, 01:22 PM

Thank you for responding! Here's some pics for you guys to check out.

I hope this works. The photobucket app on my phone kept crashing LOL!

searcher451 · 01-25-2013, 02:08 PM

That's a nice looking pistol, especially for one that was made that early in the war. Thanks for sharing your treasure with us. Too bad they can't talk.

01-22-2013, 11:43 PM	#1
SeanCoffey Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 4	P38 ac41 ser# 166d Sponsored Links Hey everyone! I just inherited a nice P38. I did a little reaserch on it and its a Walther 1941 that has all of the correct markings. The question I have with it is the serial number. Most I've seen has four or more numbers in it. This one has 166 d for the number. Can anyone give me a little information on it? I'd appreciate it greatly! Share Share this post on Digg Twitter Share on Facebook Reddit!

01-24-2013, 02:23 PM	#2
Diver6106 Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Mt. Vernon, Virginia Posts: 77	Post some pictures and you'll get some feedback. It sounds like an early one - hope it is all original and in good condition. Share Share this post on Digg Twitter Share on Facebook Reddit!

01-24-2013, 07:04 PM	#3
searcher451 Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 15,714	The serial numbers on P.38 pistols ran from 1 through 9,999, then 1a through 9,999a, then 1b through 9,999b, then 1c through 9,999c, etc. through the alphabet. A good investment for you would be Dieter Marschall's excellent book "Walther Pistols Models 1 Through P99," which has an informative section on the P.38 pistols and its successors. Do post some photos of your pistol; we'd all love to take a look. This ... Tips for shooting, and posting, great photos ... should help. Share Share this post on Digg Twitter Share on Facebook Reddit! __________________ Searcher 451 Μολὼν λαβέ

01-24-2013, 07:45 PM	#4
MGMike Supporting Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Backwoods Virginia Posts: 5,303	Except that I once examined a Mauser-made P.38 that was serialized 10,000. It wasn't supposed to exist, but there it was. M Share Share this post on Digg Twitter Share on Facebook Reddit! searcher451 likes this.

01-24-2013, 08:00 PM	#5
searcher451 Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 15,714	They also were supposed to cycle out the serial numbers in strict sequential order, but they didn't always do that, either. From Herr Marschall's book: "At times the end of the year would cause the numbering sequence to start over at 1. For example, the numbering sequence could have been at 7,000y at year's end, and the sequence would revert to 1 with the beginning of the next year and then the sequence would continue with the a, b, etc., suffixes after the 'no suffix' block was used." Hope you still have that 10,000 Mauser, MGMike. Would love to see that one. Share Share this post on Digg Twitter Share on Facebook Reddit! __________________ Searcher 451 Μολὼν λαβέ

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01-25-2013, 01:22 PM	#6
SeanCoffey Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 4	Thank you for responding! Here's some pics for you guys to check out. I hope this works. The photobucket app on my phone kept crashing LOL! Share Share this post on Digg Twitter Share on Facebook Reddit! searcher451 and Diver6106 like this.

01-25-2013, 02:08 PM	#7
searcher451 Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 15,714	That's a nice looking pistol, especially for one that was made that early in the war. Thanks for sharing your treasure with us. Too bad they can't talk. Share Share this post on Digg Twitter Share on Facebook Reddit! __________________ Searcher 451 Μολὼν λαβέ

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