P.38
| Weapon name | P.38 |
| Weapon type | Semi-automatic pistol |
| Place of origin | GERMANY  |
| Constructor | Waffenfabrik Walther Zella Mehlis |
| Designed in | 1938-45, /model P1 1957-2000/ |
| Manufacturer | Walther, Spreewerk, Mauser |
| Weapon variants | AP, HP, P1, P4 |
| No. of units made | more than 1 mil. |
Technical parameters
| Weight | 960 g |
| Length | 213, 4 mm |
| Barrel length | 127 mm |
| Type of cartridge | 9 x 19 mm Luger /7, 65 mm Para, .22LR/ |
| Calibre | 9 mm Luger |
| Muzzle velocity | 320-430 m/s |
| Magazine | 8 rounds clip magazine |
Weapon description
P.38, manufactured by Mauser, calibre 9 mm Luger, made in 1945, eight rounds (magazine capacity).
This weapon was assembled after the end of World War II within the French occupation zone from parts produced before the end of the war at the Mauser Oberndorf factory. It has the correct markings for this type of pistol.
The pistol is marked on the left side at the beginning of the breech with the P.38 weapon type marking. Behind it is the marking of the manufacturer code designation svw (the Mauser company changed the code marking from the well-known byf to svw in late 1944) and below the code is the number 45 indicating the year of manufacture 1945. The entire serial number is stamped in front of the safety lever. It is also located above the trigger guard root. Behind the serial number is stamped the Austrian eagle with the capital letters BH (Bundesheer) which means that the weapon was in service of the Austrian army. On the trigger guard root near the grip is stamped a large letter G, which seems to represent the factory acceptance mark. The front sight is marked on the left side with an inspection mark, the numeral 3.
On the right side of the slide near the barrel is stamped the ZTM marking, which indicates the code designation for the month and year of the test – June 1985. This mark is also located above the trigger guard root. Behind it is stamped the marking NPV, indicating the smokeless powder test by the Vienna proofing facility, and an eagle with the number 2, indicating the black powder test also by the Vienna proofing facility. The breech frame above the grip is marked with a five-pointed star, which is the symbol of the acceptance mark of the French occupation administration.
The serial number with the serial letter is stamped under the barrel. Underneath the barrel are, in order, the eagle with the number 2, followed by the NPV marking and the 9 mm Para – the designation of the weapon calibre.
The pistol’s sheet metal grip panels are from Mauser, made before the end of the war, but matching only the post-war assembly.
