3090

*RARE AND DESIRABLE WALTHER ARMEE-PISTOLE IN ORIGINAL AND SUPERB CONDITION.

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:10,000.00 USD Estimated At:20,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD
*RARE AND DESIRABLE WALTHER ARMEE-PISTOLE IN ORIGINAL AND SUPERB CONDITION.
SN 042. Walther made a series of about 50 Armee Pistoles, all double action with an internal hammer, for testing prior to the military's acceptance of the P38. The first ten pistols had a long bbl and were fitted with a shoulder stock. The balance had a 5" bbl and an unslotted frame that was made of steel or an alloy. Regardless of variation, Walther AP pistols are considered one of the holy grails of Walther and military pistol collectors. This late production example has a drift adjustable front and a fixed rear sight. The sides of the slide were made with ridged reinforcement. The left side is marked "Waffenfabrik Walther Zella-Mehlis (Thur)" surmounting the Walther banner and the model denomination "Armee-Pistole Cal. 9mm". The slide mounted safety lever, toward the rear of the slide, has the fire position denoted by a recessed red dot. The right side of the slide is simply marked "Walthers Patent". The right side of the frame is marked with the serial number 042 in large digits that are repeated on the slide, the bbl, and the locking block. All of these parts, except the locking block, are also stamped with a much smaller inspection number 52. The pistol has standard wooden AP grips that have a circular recess for a lanyard ring. Magazine is from a P38 with Waffenamt proofing on the spine and "P38" marked on the lower left side of the magazine wall. CONDITION: 97%-98% bright original blue with sharp edge wear around the muzzle and leading edges of the slide. Minor wear under the tang and on the frontstrap. 70% original fire blue on the thumb safety. Excellent original wood grips having sharp checkering and only minimal loss. The inner surface of the left grip is marked with a penciled 042; each grip is inspector stamped 52. Excellent condition replacement magazine. Perfect mirror bore and perfect mechanics. Overall, a superb and all matching Walther AP test pistol that can only be faulted for not having an original magazine. 4-48690 LMA70