Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Auction Company is pleased to present this iconic German made semi-auto pistol today for a penny start auction, this is the surplus Walther Bundeswehr Model P1!
If you want to experience a WW2 handgun without paying antique prices, the Walther P1 is a direct descendant of the iconic P38. The Walther P1 is the aluminum-framed copy of the WWII Walther P38 pistol and has its own history. For 25 years these pistols served with the Bundeswehr and West German police. During the 1990s the Germans began phasing out the P1, fielding the P8 (a military version of the H&K USP), finally retiring the weapon altogether in 2004.
If you want to experience a WW2 handgun without paying antique prices, the Walther P1 is a direct descendant of the iconic P38. The Walther P1 is the aluminum-framed copy of the WWII Walther P38 pistol and has its own history. For 25 years these pistols served with the Bundeswehr and West German police. During the 1990s the Germans began phasing out the P1, fielding the P8 (a military version of the H&K USP), finally retiring the weapon altogether in 2004.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Walther
Model: P1
Serial: 023074
Caliber: 9mm Para
Finish: Black Phosphate
Barrel Length: 5"
Optics/Sights: Dovetail Blade Front with White Dot and Notched White Dot Rear
Stock/Grips: Checkered Black Synthetic
Action: Semi-Auto
Markings: Standard / The "1/79" stamp is the date the slide was manufactured. The "W 1.79" stamp on the frame indicates it went through the Bundeswehr repair facility at St. Wendel in 1979. The "Dot in Circle" is an internal Walther factory QA stamp indicating the marked parts were inspected to military/police standards. The "Bw" stamp is a late type Bundeswehr property marking.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
In the aftermath of the Second World War, the German nation found itself completely destroyed. Total warfare had consumed the country, leaving it stripped of basic resources and devastated by ferocious fighting. The once mighty German military, the Wehrmacht, was likewise in ruins, and it was not until 1955 that an independent German military would be raised, this time in the service of the West German Federal Republic. Known as the Bundeswehr (Federal Defense Forces), this force found itself in need of handguns as well as other equipment.
The standard service pistol of the old Wehrmacht had been the Walther P38, an excellent design in 9x19mm that could well be argued as the best all around design of the Second World War. Walter’s factor in Zella-Mellis had fallen into the Soviet Occupation Zone, although production of the firm’s designs had actually continued for the French at Manurhin, with tooling taken as war reparations. The company’s owner, Fritz Walther, had escaped to the west, and set up a new operation in Ulm, resuming production in 1949, the same year that the independent West German government was founded.
The new Walther was immediately investigated by the new Bundeswehr as a potential source of new handguns, with that body having selected the P38 as their standard issue. Deliveries of new pistols began in 1957, but a series of changes would culminate in a change of designation in 1963, with the new P1 being most obviously distinguished by their aluminum frames. A hexagonal bolt was later added to the frame as well starting in 1970, intended to prevent cracking. The P1 also featured a slightly thicker frame, as well as a redesigned firing pin, intended to solve the breakage issues that occurred in wartime P38s.
The P1 would equip not just the three branches of the Bundeswehr, but also the West German police and Grenzschutzen (border guards) for the duration of the Cold War, and would remain the basic sidearm of unified Germany until 2004, when it was replaced by the H&K P8. Another interesting variation of the P1 was assembled in France with German made parts in order to arm the West Berlin Police, as they were required by treaty to not carry German made arms. P1 pistols, often equipped with special white leather holsters, remain in service with the German ceremonial Wachtbattalion.
Contents:
This example will ship with a factory matching box, serial matching test fire target, papers, total of 2 magazines and genuine leather holster seen pictured above!
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.
Model: P1
Serial: 023074
Caliber: 9mm Para
Finish: Black Phosphate
Barrel Length: 5"
Optics/Sights: Dovetail Blade Front with White Dot and Notched White Dot Rear
Stock/Grips: Checkered Black Synthetic
Action: Semi-Auto
Markings: Standard / The "1/79" stamp is the date the slide was manufactured. The "W 1.79" stamp on the frame indicates it went through the Bundeswehr repair facility at St. Wendel in 1979. The "Dot in Circle" is an internal Walther factory QA stamp indicating the marked parts were inspected to military/police standards. The "Bw" stamp is a late type Bundeswehr property marking.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
In the aftermath of the Second World War, the German nation found itself completely destroyed. Total warfare had consumed the country, leaving it stripped of basic resources and devastated by ferocious fighting. The once mighty German military, the Wehrmacht, was likewise in ruins, and it was not until 1955 that an independent German military would be raised, this time in the service of the West German Federal Republic. Known as the Bundeswehr (Federal Defense Forces), this force found itself in need of handguns as well as other equipment.
The standard service pistol of the old Wehrmacht had been the Walther P38, an excellent design in 9x19mm that could well be argued as the best all around design of the Second World War. Walter’s factor in Zella-Mellis had fallen into the Soviet Occupation Zone, although production of the firm’s designs had actually continued for the French at Manurhin, with tooling taken as war reparations. The company’s owner, Fritz Walther, had escaped to the west, and set up a new operation in Ulm, resuming production in 1949, the same year that the independent West German government was founded.
The new Walther was immediately investigated by the new Bundeswehr as a potential source of new handguns, with that body having selected the P38 as their standard issue. Deliveries of new pistols began in 1957, but a series of changes would culminate in a change of designation in 1963, with the new P1 being most obviously distinguished by their aluminum frames. A hexagonal bolt was later added to the frame as well starting in 1970, intended to prevent cracking. The P1 also featured a slightly thicker frame, as well as a redesigned firing pin, intended to solve the breakage issues that occurred in wartime P38s.
The P1 would equip not just the three branches of the Bundeswehr, but also the West German police and Grenzschutzen (border guards) for the duration of the Cold War, and would remain the basic sidearm of unified Germany until 2004, when it was replaced by the H&K P8. Another interesting variation of the P1 was assembled in France with German made parts in order to arm the West Berlin Police, as they were required by treaty to not carry German made arms. P1 pistols, often equipped with special white leather holsters, remain in service with the German ceremonial Wachtbattalion.
Contents:
This example will ship with a factory matching box, serial matching test fire target, papers, total of 2 magazines and genuine leather holster seen pictured above!
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 $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping $65.00
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.
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
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