Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Co. is pleased to present this semi-automatic pistol today for a penny-start auction, this is the Walther P38.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Walther
Model: P38
Serial: 156182
Date of Manufacture: 1962
Caliber: 9mm
Finish: Phosphate with Black Alloy Frame
Barrel Length: 4 7/8"
Optics/Sights: Serrated Ramp Front with U-Notch Rear
Stock/Grips: Black Plastic Grips with Checkering
Action: Semi-Automatic
Markings: Standard / The left side of the slide -on the far left- is marked with various proof marks, including a dot-in-circle proof mark, a four-pointed star, and an eagle. To the right of these proof marks is a Walther banner and “Carl Wather Waffenfabrik Ulm/Do P38 Cal. 9mm”, and three digits of the serial number “182”. The left side of the frame is marked with the serial number “156182” and a dot-in-circle proof mark. The right side of the slide -on the far left- is marked with an eagle proof mark. To the right of this proof mark is “GERMANY”, which appears to have been stamped over the date of manufacture “1/62”, and “PW ARMS REDMOND, WA.” The right side of the frame is marked with two eagle proof marks. The front of the barrel is also marked with two eagle proof marks and a dot-in-circle proof mark.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
Following the end of World War II, production of the Walther P38 ceased in Germany with the loss of the original Zella-Mehlis facilities. However, the design continued in limited transitional form during the immediate postwar period, most notably through French-controlled assembly operations between 1945 and 1946 that utilized remaining wartime components and captured production equipment, resulting in so-called “Grey Ghost” pistols characterized by mixed parts and variable finish quality. Full-scale revival of the design occurred in West Germany after the formation of the Bundeswehr in 1955, when Carl Walther GmbH reestablished manufacturing in Ulm and undertook complete retooling using surviving wartime examples, engineering records, and newly produced machinery, leading to the first postwar P38 deliveries in 1957. The West German production pistols feature an aluminum alloy frame, replacing the original steel frame of the wartime Walther P38 design. This change marked a significant postwar modernization effort aimed at reducing service weight while maintaining reliability. They retained the short-recoil, double-action/single-action operating system. Still, they exhibited improved machining tolerances and overall manufacturing consistency compared to wartime examples. In 1963, the design was formally redesignated as the P1.
Model: P38
Serial: 156182
Date of Manufacture: 1962
Caliber: 9mm
Finish: Phosphate with Black Alloy Frame
Barrel Length: 4 7/8"
Optics/Sights: Serrated Ramp Front with U-Notch Rear
Stock/Grips: Black Plastic Grips with Checkering
Action: Semi-Automatic
Markings: Standard / The left side of the slide -on the far left- is marked with various proof marks, including a dot-in-circle proof mark, a four-pointed star, and an eagle. To the right of these proof marks is a Walther banner and “Carl Wather Waffenfabrik Ulm/Do P38 Cal. 9mm”, and three digits of the serial number “182”. The left side of the frame is marked with the serial number “156182” and a dot-in-circle proof mark. The right side of the slide -on the far left- is marked with an eagle proof mark. To the right of this proof mark is “GERMANY”, which appears to have been stamped over the date of manufacture “1/62”, and “PW ARMS REDMOND, WA.” The right side of the frame is marked with two eagle proof marks. The front of the barrel is also marked with two eagle proof marks and a dot-in-circle proof mark.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
Following the end of World War II, production of the Walther P38 ceased in Germany with the loss of the original Zella-Mehlis facilities. However, the design continued in limited transitional form during the immediate postwar period, most notably through French-controlled assembly operations between 1945 and 1946 that utilized remaining wartime components and captured production equipment, resulting in so-called “Grey Ghost” pistols characterized by mixed parts and variable finish quality. Full-scale revival of the design occurred in West Germany after the formation of the Bundeswehr in 1955, when Carl Walther GmbH reestablished manufacturing in Ulm and undertook complete retooling using surviving wartime examples, engineering records, and newly produced machinery, leading to the first postwar P38 deliveries in 1957. The West German production pistols feature an aluminum alloy frame, replacing the original steel frame of the wartime Walther P38 design. This change marked a significant postwar modernization effort aimed at reducing service weight while maintaining reliability. They retained the short-recoil, double-action/single-action operating system. Still, they exhibited improved machining tolerances and overall manufacturing consistency compared to wartime examples. In 1963, the design was formally redesignated as the P1.
However, extended service use during the 1960s and 1970s revealed frame wear issues at the locking block interface, prompting incremental engineering improvements, including reinforced slide assemblies and the addition of a transverse steel crossbolt to strengthen the frame structure, which became standard on later production models. Throughout the Cold War era, the Walther P38/P1 family remained in widespread service across German military and police forces until its gradual replacement beginning in the 1990s and final retirement in the early 2000s with the adoption of the Heckler & Koch P8, leaving the P38 lineage as one of the longest-serving military handgun systems, bridging WWII-era engineering with postwar industrial modernization.
Contents:
This example will ship with one 8-round magazine.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3-day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping with Insurance $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping with Insurance $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
We strive to ship orders within the close of the following business day after payment and documentation is received.
Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Payment MUST be received within 14 days.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
Our #1 priority is customer satisfaction. We want to build a lasting trust in the relationship with our customers, so that you will always look to us for all your firearms needs. If you have any issues with your transactions please contact us, and we will work with you to resolve any issues you may have. We greatly appreciate your trust in us and we look forward to fulfilling all your future firearm needs.
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About Us
From a small town hobby, to a leader in the investment and collector grade firearms industry. Bryant Ridge Firearms is here to offer the best in quality and customer service when you are looking to unload your collector grade firearm collection. 
Additional Information
GunbrokerLink: |
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1174023895 |
BidPrice: |
0.01 |
AuctionEndDate: |
2026-05-17 21:00:00 |
CurrentBid: |
500 |
SoldOutTime: |
2026-05-17 17:17:54 |
