I have a 1943 Walther P38 that was imported by Century Arms. I believe based on the marks, this gun was sold to Austria after the war. It looks to me that the barrel assembly has been replaced with a newer version. The new barrel has the same serial number stamped on the end of the barrel as the gun itself. Would this have been done by Walther at the time the gun was sold to Austria? Would the Walther factory stamp the serial number on the barrel assembly or would CAI have done this? Any help would be appreciated. Also, I am interested in an approximate value of the gun based on all this. Thanks, Tim
markings on the left side behind the P38 stamp is ac/43 and there is a "c" stamped behind the serial number on the left side frame
Yes, it is a newer and commercial barrel. It may have been Austrians but I seriously doubt it, I believe CAI would only be concerned that there is a serial number on the frame. No way, to my knowledge, of ever telling for certain.
I somewhat doubt that the Austrian military would have ordered a new Walther, Ulm manufactured and Ulm proofed barrel from the factory. HK translates to 1979. If memory serves me correctly, those Austrian surplus P.38s were sold around that time. If it was a civilian repair in Germany, then the pistol should have also the same proof marks on frame and slide.
The C in the serial number is a part of the unique serial number together with the year of manufacture. Numbers only went to 9999 and then started over again but with a higher suffix and started over at 0001A again next year.
If it's a Century gun, why does it say "IAC, Alex. VA" on the frame?
It's a mongrel. An ex-Austrian Bundesheer military pistol supplied by the French, who found it unfinished at Oberndorf at the end of WWII. At some point later it was rebarreled in Germany with a commercial barrel from Walther and proofed at Ulm.
If it's a Century gun, why does it say "IAC, Alex. VA" on the frame?
It's a mongrel. An ex-Austrian Bundesheer military pistol supplied by the French, who found it unfinished at Oberndorf at the end of WWII. At some point later it was rebarreled in Germany with a commercial barrel from Walther and proofed at Ulm.
Good eye. I just assumed it was Century that imported the gun. Thanks for the information.
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