3514

Documented Commercial Walther Model HP P.38 Pistol with Extra .30 Luger Barrel and Accessories

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military / Hand Guns - Pistols Start Price:3,250.00 USD Estimated At:6,500.00 - 9,000.00 USD
Documented Commercial Walther Model HP P.38 Pistol with Extra .30 Luger Barrel and Accessories
Buyer's Premium is 20.5% by credit card, reduced to 18% if payment is made by cash, check or wire transfer. Contact Rock Island Auction Company to complete your registration with the auction house.
Documented Commercial Walther Model HP P.38 Pistol with Extra .30 Luger Barrel and Accessories

Shortly after Walther began the sale of the commercial model of their P.38 pistol known as their Model HP pistol, they produced a small number of guns in caliber 7,65 m/m (.30 caliber) Parabellum rather than the normal caliber of 9 m/m. Note that with a P.38 pistol, the barrel assembly can easily be switched to the different caliber barrel and no other modifications are needed to the mechanics of the pistol. The serial numbers of the 7,65 m/m Model HP pistols reportedly begins just below serial 3000. Prior to the production of these 7,65 m/m Model HP pistols, Walther manufactured and sold a very small number of 9 m/m caliber Model HP pistols with an extra barrel assembly in caliber 7,65 m/m. On all of these pistols, the slide is marked 9 m/m. Refer to pages 158-162 in Buxton's Volume 3 "The P.38 Pistol" for a discussion of these pistols with the extra barrel. Some of these pistols with the extra barrel had the extra barrel serial numbered to the pistol, but others did not have a serial number on the extra barrel. Pistol serial number 2951, shown on pages 160 and 161, has the extra barrel serial numbered. This pistol, serial 2959, has the extra barrel without a serial number, and this exact pistol is discussed starting at the bottom of pg 158-161 and is pictured on page 162. This pistol's serial number is also listed on page 252, along with a 7,65 m/m Luger auto barrel (no gun) serial numbered 2953. From these few surviving serial numbered pistols it can be concluded that the guns delivered with the extra barrel are all found in a small group of guns roughly around serial number 2950. Also, as noted on page 161, all of the extra 7,65 m/m barrels, whether serial numbered or not, are finished in a plum color to easily distinguish them from the blued 9 m/m barrel. Buxton notes on page 161 that "several more of these multi-barrel sets with unnumbered .30 caliber barrels were recorded in Swedish and European collections, but no serial numbers were available." This pistol is "Eagle N" proofed on the right side of the slide, frame, barrel assembly and barrel locking block. The serial number 2959 is on the front below the barrel, on the right side of the frame, on the rear underside of the slide, and "959" is stamped on the barrel locking block. The left grip has the lanyard area milled away which is proper for commercial Model HP pistols in this serial range. The magazine is correct for this model having no markings and a dusty blue finish. A second proper Commercial Model HP magazine is also provided with the pistol. The extra barrel is "Eagle N" proofed on both the right side of the barrel extension where it is also marked with a circle B and "45" and also the un-numbered removable barrel locking block is proofed with the "Eagle N' on the right side and marked "48" on the left side. According to the consignor, this pistol was imported from Sweden some 30 years ago and to the best of his knowledge it is probably the only such extra barreled Model HP pistol that exists in a United States collection today! This makes this pistol very rare and it should be noted that it is also in very top collector condition which further adds to its rarity. Along with this rare pistol and extra barrel and magazine, also included is an original period box (25 rounds) of Geco 7,65 m/m Parabellum ammunition to go with the extra barrel. Also included is an original sales foldout announcing the new Model HP (P.38) Commercial pistol. This foldout is dated 4.38 and is the first commercial sales brochure published for the new Model HP pistol. The pistol drawing on the front and inside page shows a gun with checkered wooden grips and a pre-production slide legend markings. This is a rare sales document printed on both sides for a total of 6 pages of information.

Manufacture: Walther
Model: HP
BBL: 4.93 inch
Stock:
Gauge: 9 mm
Finish: blue
Grips: plastic
Serial Number: 2959

Excellent with 98% plus of the blue finish overall with minor edge and high spot wear only. The black grips are also in near excellent condition, showing minor handling marks on the sides. The extra barrel and magazine are both also in excellent condition with 99% of the blue finish overall. The box of ammunition and brochure are both in very fine condition overall. An exceptionally nice, high condition and very rare dual barrel set, early Commercial Walther HP pistol.