Hi Ian. Another outstanding video. It goes to show that these auction house videos are an excellent opportunity to show people firearms that 99.9% of people will never get to see in person. In addition, it is an opportunity to document rare prototypes and developmental firearms before they disappear into another private collection. To all those rare firearm collectors out there, I urge you to reach out to Ian. He is an excellent ambassador for the firearms community. I would love it if he was invited to tour some of these rare private collections while their owners were still alive to add context.
The P-38 is what I would call the prototypical German pistol. Elegant looking. Quality built. It was made to shoot well and reliably. Made almost too well.
+Ross Collicutt You should really shoot a 1944 or 1945 made P-38 before claiming they were made 'too well', the late war guns are rough as hell, and really, all P-38s have terrible triggers. Heavy on single action, almost impossible double action pull That said, I'll be buried with my AC-42, my Dad has a CYQ 43 that Grandpa brought back from the War, and the ever popular Beretta 92/M9 is essentially a P-38 with a double stack mag, a single recoil spring instead of two, and a redecorated front end. The internals are nearly identical though.
@@sammoon2906 The late WWII Pistols were of poor quality due to Ressource and Logistic issues as a result of years of heavy bombing. These guns are not representive for the usual quality af the Weapon. I recommend a Post War Modell or a P1,- just beautiful made pure German craftmanship. Cheers
The one ... "almost too well" that's a funny remark! ;-) What I found with 99% of Walther designed handguns is, they fit like a glove, even without fancy wooden grips! ;-) pick one up, and it just fits.... unless of course you are a giant or midget!
Hi Ian. I'am so glad I came across your videos. You really changed my view of gun owners. I live in germany and guns are kind of a taboo here and there are a lot of rather negative stereotypes of gun owners and I have to say I shared them...until I saw your videos and experienced your approach to weapons. Your way of presenting them is as much educational as entertaining. I'am looking forward to your next videos and if you ever have a bad day just thing about me and how you helped that guy overseas to overcome his stereotypes. ;)
I think this was an attempt of possibly going the same way as Rheinmetall did when developing the MG42, which also largely used stamped sheet metal parts for the housing, instead of milled block material.
I think the Military one looks a bit funny, but I understand the choices. I really like the gun at 3:00, even with the longer barrel, but I think it would look great if they shortened the barrel a inch or two so the front sight is only out a bit from where the frame starts. Reminds me of the HK socom, except it's barrel is longer, and the front sight is connected to the barrel instead of the frame. The grip angles, and controls are very similar.
I am in the market , and chatting with a dealer now, who has a few of the later P38`s, so this video is just super for me. Thanks for all the good information. You have presented these models, very well. Cheers.
Wow, that's too bad that those are all being split into separate lots. It's a good thing that you had a chance to get them all on camera at once. They might never all be on the same table again.
Yet another outstanding and information packed video by Ian. Well done, sir! And I echo krmould's suggestion for collectors and others to reach out to you to review their rare, unusual or simply forgotten weapons. What a boon for us and for collectors too. I will mention, for fans of the P-38, the design was used as a basis for Smith & Wesson to develop their own early 9mm double action pistol - the Model 39 - in the 1950s for Army trials which never took place. So it became a commercial firearm and launched a 40 year succession of models in 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP (plus 7.65 Luger for exports). Keep up the great work Ian.
i found 2 walther p38s on my attic along with a winchester 1886 and 1890 .22lr. my dad had found one p38 in his fathers house and another years later on an estate he was working on after occupants passed away. he never told me about any of them until i was in my 20s.
Armourer: "Here's your gun." Officer: "... Let me get this straight, I'm trying to apprehend a potentially dangerous suspect and you want me to point my PP at them? ... Do you have anything else?"
Fantastic. I have a mid '80s P1 but have always had a soft spot for its predecessors. It would be absolutely amazing to see the whole lineage together in person, awesome video!
I've never had the chance to see any Walther's up close, but these are beautifully made. Very elegant and even the unique and exposed barrel making it look good.
I can't believe how many guns Ian gets to handle that are basically historical artifacts. Any time someone says "this is the only one known in existence" they should follow with "so we are especially lucky today."
The developmental stages of this iconic pistol show the utter brilliance of the designers; likewise this presentation shows the understanding of the presenter. The value of these productions is irrefutable... Keep up the excellent work!
According to the ATF, shoulder stocks on pistols makes them automatic to fire 8 bullets a round. Oh not to mention the increase in power to where it can blow the body right out of the lungs. It's flabbergasting how science works.
Hi ian, this is my first time comment, I have one of these, it is a 41 made by walther, s/ n reads ac 41 I absolutely love it, always fires, never had a problem I love your work, thanks and be safe, Rick
Wonderful historical tutorial,sir. I know I have a book somewhere with all that info,but...way more convenient this way (youtube). I bought an INTERARMS West German Police "trade-in" P-1 in the 1980`s which came with the original extra mag,white leather holster and cleaning kit. Still my favorite handgun (and first!).My pistol was one of the MANURHINs with the Berlin Police markings and corresponding serial numbers. Very accurate-shooting and ergonomic; a true joy to shoot. I highly recommend the P-38/P-1 both for it`s performance and "old school" sinister looks.
Thank the Goddess for the ardent collectors. How often can we find, in one place, the full development of such an iconic firearm? Thanks Ian, masterful, as always.
There is an other, older 9mm Luger straight blowback pistols that were very successful. The Astra Model 400 started in 1921 and is a fantastic pistol. It ended production in the 1950's. Made of all forged and machined steel, I own one and have shot thousands of rounds over 50 years and never had a malfunction.
Very interesting presentation of the development of the P38! Thank you for doing the research and legwork to put this together. I imagine that must be a neat feeling to hold in your hand the "only known example" of a hand gun. Pretty cool.
Amazing collection, in regards to the last gun I feel you’re exactly correct, from my best armchair speculation, watching your video about improvised weapons, the magazine was almost always from another gun and they built the rest around that, to also have a unique magazine, it’s hard to believe it’s a late war last ditch effort, but just an early mock-up, because even with their issues late in the war, they could still probably find a production magazine.
It's not a late war gun as the war started in 1939 and the P38 started in 1938. But just like the MP38 and MP40 sub machine guns, Germany recognized the need to make things better, faster and cheaper.
It is always very interesting to see the lineal development of something like this or the 1911, especially when prototypes are so rare, as these are. Great job and a nice find. If you include the Beretta 92 descendant, i suppose one could argue that the P38 and its descendants probably equal more military issue pistols than the 1911- german plus italian plus US M9's. I don't think the 1911 and 1911A1 reached too much over a million, the P38 and 92 and M9 probably have. The P38/P1 was West German issue into the early 80's at least. My P1 had 1979 dates in the slide. As i recall, the Sig 225 came along about 1983-84 as a police pistol to replace the P1 and older PP's and whatever else. Anyway, great video as always. Thank you
Hi how are you, need ur help with this p38-k, it had a sight on the bridge and this is what is written on the side of the gun, carl walther waffentabrik Ulm/Do P38-k and there are other markings which i cant make out and describe untill i clean it. What surprised me waa the sight on top on the bridge. If you have any idea on what i just described please reply. You are the best person to ask because of your awesome and outstanding knowledge on the history of fire arms. Thank you, you have all my respects. One other thing under the bridge is days 9 para. Thanks.
That's a really amazing collection, especially including the one off design concept. I'm a bit of a Waltherphile, though other than a PPK, all my Walthers are newer, much later designs. Though I'd live to own any of these, they're all way beyond my income.
When I was about 10 or 11 I found a plastic P38 at my local model shop. AFAIK it was an accurate part for part replica in plastic. Of course some of the parts including the slide and barrel were supplied in two bookmatched halves. It even had cartridges with primers one had to build. I didn't begin to build it until I had made a few cars and planes and two years went by. I learned more about firearms than cars thanx to my brief model building. Any one have experience leaning about gun mechanics through building models or taking replicas apart. I've not built a model anything since I started making real(not firearms). Seams like a decent way to learn the way guns work without buying thousands of bucks.
I still have all the plastic model construction kit pistols I built as a kid! I'm now seventy, been collecting real ones since I was old enough; but still learning thanks to Ian, Othias, Mark and the internet in general. Thanks, guys !
The Luger is still my favorite pistol, but these are really nice too, and probably more functional as a military sidearm if we're being honest. I noticed that the action, at least visually, looks pretty similar to the Mauser 1914. The Germans didn't seem to be as fond of full slides that covered the entire barrel like you see with most American guns, but rather they had an exposed barrel and the ones that did use a slide were partially cut. I personally like the silhouette this creates. Very distinctly German.
The HP P-38, you show here, is exactly the same that Portugal adopted in 1961, if I am not mistaken!! Thousand thanks for this video, I cam to watch just another time!! ❤❤
I have a 1943 P.38. AC 43, it also has what looks like a X over the serial # left side of slide. I am told those are Soviet Armory marks... So i know this pistol was made in Berlin in the Walther Factory. 1st pistol i bought for myself...
I never liked the look of the P-38. I never found the long exposed barrel with the shortened slide particularly attractive. I do appreciate the way the gun works and it’s quite reliable. The Beretta M-9 and 92 series guns borrow a lot of the same features and I like those.
As a young policeman in South Africa I was issued a brand new Walther P38 9mmP pistol in 1979, serial number 338548. It was a German made pistol and not a Manurhin copy and I used it until 1985, when it was replaced by a Beretta 92 9mmP with serial number B27397Z
That magazine on the stamped gun seems like a pretty major indication of the gun's history. Had it been a late war prototype, they almost certainly would have done the same thing they did with VG rifles and used an existing magazine design, which in this case would have been the normal P.38's mag.
Beautiful pistols, and an excellent over-view of P38 development. Now if it wasn't for those damn gun laws, a (reinforced) polymer shoulder stock / holster would be a thing. 😒
Cabella's had surplus p-38s post- war a few years back. I picked one up for 350.00 bucks . Solid all around,fun to shoot at the range or for home defense.
The sheet metal gun is the most fascinating to me. It could well be that this was intended more as a mechanical prototype rather than a functional prototype. Kind of a "let's get this design in three dimensions and see what it all looks like and we can discuss it from there."
My grandpa collects guns and has 3 p38’s. His uncle was in Europe after they took back France and they had a pile of German weapons and they let the soldiers take 1 home. He took home an original p 38 and he lets me shoot it often😀
Interesting, how many of Walther's designs have that kind of "Napoleon clock" shape when viewed square-on from the front. It's there in the P38, PPK, M9 and others.
Damn that sheetmetal prototype will sell for a lot. Rarity due to low production numbers or destruction are one thing, but the literal ground-zero-#0001 of the entire line is a completely different beast.
I have one given to me by a relative. I've always liked the P-38 as it's looks, feel and shooting all seem to say Deutsches Automatische Pistole. If I had to come downstairs in the middle of the night after hearing the thumps, bumps and clatter of the plate being stuffed in a sack this is what would accompany me. I'd bring it as opposed to better choices just so i could say "For you, your criminal career is over. Your hands...UP! (Said with the best of good humour.)
Other sources have mentioned a significance to the shape of the block or sheath around the firing pin. I noticed you showed some with a round block (that sheetmetal example didn't have any separate insert.) However there was also a rectangular block/insert -- I think moreso with the police version. I'm particularly interested in this topic because I have a P38 that doesn't seem to fit any of the versions and has many stamped marks, some...odd. Do you have a more detailed video about P38s?
The pp was one of the best pistols I ever had. Wish I didn't sell. My only complaint about the p38 is it tends to kick the spent casing straight up into your face instead of out to the side.
I really like how informative and historical these videos are! Just a small tip, Walther is pronounced like Vaulter (in German, W is pronounced as V, and th is pronounced t)
Very interesting and well done. I believe that on the later models, the hammer and trigger were hollowed out. Was that the same here and at what point did they do it and why? Were they stamped or forged and machined?
What do the grip panels on the sheet metal gun compare to? If they are made of bakelite, this could indicate to when the gun was made. I imagine you wouldn't form bakelite grips for just a one off proof of concept gun, but rather utilise what you are already producing. This is of course considering they are the originals and have never been replaced.
Great development history lesson. I am amazed that a collector could obtain the various development prototypes. These have to be extremely rare. Truly a one-of-a-kind collection. Too bad it will probably be broken up ... Several things made the P-38 stand out: 1. its sight. Vastly superior than those of the Browning Hi-Power. 2. its design was extensively copied in the design of the Beretta 92 / M9: external trigger draw-bar on top of the right grip panel, wide ejection clearance and especially the locking block.
Hi Ian. Another outstanding video. It goes to show that these auction house videos are an excellent opportunity to show people firearms that 99.9% of people will never get to see in person. In addition, it is an opportunity to document rare prototypes and developmental firearms before they disappear into another private collection. To all those rare firearm collectors out there, I urge you to reach out to Ian. He is an excellent ambassador for the firearms community. I would love it if he was invited to tour some of these rare private collections while their owners were still alive to add context.
+krmould Thanks!
Michael Eversberg II I would call up Calico if I was you.
+krmould
i think somewhere in /k i read : "Gun Jesus reads the Walther bible" as a new episode, not sure if it was for this episode
yup, i only view /k and /f though, not weird stuff
4chan is an autistic's hangout
When we add up the auction prices, we find that Ian just handled 523,250 US Dollars worth of equipment.
Adjusted for inflation this is now $1.8 trillion and three M1 Abrams tanks.
@Peter-ff1tp we are now up to 659 trillion dollars worth
The P-38 is what I would call the prototypical German pistol. Elegant looking. Quality built. It was made to shoot well and reliably. Made almost too well.
+Ross Collicutt You should really shoot a 1944 or 1945 made P-38 before claiming they were made 'too well', the late war guns are rough as hell, and really, all P-38s have terrible triggers. Heavy on single action, almost impossible double action pull
That said, I'll be buried with my AC-42, my Dad has a CYQ 43 that Grandpa brought back from the War, and the ever popular Beretta 92/M9 is essentially a P-38 with a double stack mag, a single recoil spring instead of two, and a redecorated front end. The internals are nearly identical though.
@@sammoon2906
The late WWII Pistols were of poor quality due to Ressource and Logistic issues as a result of years of heavy bombing. These guns are not representive for the usual quality af the Weapon. I recommend a Post War Modell or a P1,- just beautiful made pure German craftmanship.
Cheers
The one
... "almost too well" that's a funny remark! ;-) What I found with 99% of Walther designed handguns is, they fit like a glove, even without fancy wooden grips! ;-) pick one up, and it just fits.... unless of course you are a giant or midget!
Adopted by Sweden?
Are you sure?
To my knoledge we only have the m/07 Browning in 9*20 and the m/40 Lahti in 9*19 before the Glocks.
never touched a p38 have you?
Hi Ian. I'am so glad I came across your videos. You really changed my view of gun owners. I live in germany and guns are kind of a taboo here and there are a lot of rather negative stereotypes of gun owners and I have to say I shared them...until I saw your videos and experienced your approach to weapons. Your way of presenting them is as much educational as entertaining. I'am looking forward to your next videos and if you ever have a bad day just thing about me and how you helped that guy overseas to overcome his stereotypes. ;)
+M. Paulsen Thanks!
Thank you Ian. Awesome run down on the P38 development.
Survival Russia didn't think I'd see you here! XD
My 2 favourite youtubers in one place :o
That stamped gun is amazing
I think this was an attempt of possibly going the same way as Rheinmetall did when developing the MG42, which also largely used stamped sheet metal parts for the housing, instead of milled block material.
The P38 is one of the nicest looking pistols in my opinion.
+Theodore agree =]
+Theodore yeah, it does look nice, personally i think the glock is my favorite pistol, in terms of shape, but the P38 is defiantly in my top 5 pistols
+megamanx503 Totally agree
I think the Military one looks a bit funny, but I understand the choices. I really like the gun at 3:00, even with the longer barrel, but I think it would look great if they shortened the barrel a inch or two so the front sight is only out a bit from where the frame starts. Reminds me of the HK socom, except it's barrel is longer, and the front sight is connected to the barrel instead of the frame. The grip angles, and controls are very similar.
I think it looks weird, like the long barrel desert eagle. Kind of an uncanny valley for me to see the barrel protruding like that
I love the quality of machining. Everything goes together with a very satisfying CLICK.
I am in the market , and chatting with a dealer now, who has a few of the later P38`s, so this video is just super for me.
Thanks for all the good information. You have presented these models, very well.
Cheers.
Wow, that's too bad that those are all being split into separate lots. It's a good thing that you had a chance to get them all on camera at once. They might never all be on the same table again.
Yet another outstanding and information packed video by Ian. Well done, sir! And I echo krmould's suggestion for collectors and others to reach out to you to review their rare, unusual or simply forgotten weapons. What a boon for us and for collectors too.
I will mention, for fans of the P-38, the design was used as a basis for Smith & Wesson to develop their own early 9mm double action pistol - the Model 39 - in the 1950s for Army trials which never took place. So it became a commercial firearm and launched a 40 year succession of models in 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP (plus 7.65 Luger for exports).
Keep up the great work Ian.
i found 2 walther p38s on my attic along with a winchester 1886 and 1890 .22lr. my dad had found one p38 in his fathers house and another years later on an estate he was working on after occupants passed away. he never told me about any of them until i was in my 20s.
And you did what with them?
Armourer: "Here's your gun."
Officer: "... Let me get this straight, I'm trying to apprehend a potentially dangerous suspect and you want me to point my PP at them? ... Do you have anything else?"
Response "Here Take this PP Super. And give me back the PPK.. " Who doesn't want a Super PP instead of a Kurtz PP?
DECEPTICONS ATTACK!!!!!
(for those born after the 1980s Megatron used to turn into a P38)
Fantastic. I have a mid '80s P1 but have always had a soft spot for its predecessors. It would be absolutely amazing to see the whole lineage together in person, awesome video!
Very cool! I love these videos that show the full development of a firearm. It's fascinating to see the design evolve.
The sheet metal one in contrast to the evolution was the cherry on top. That was by far my fave part
A short story of history, and it's great!
Thank you for showing this rare models.
Loved it! I've been a P38 guy for years, having owned four different ones, and currently owning one.
I've never had the chance to see any Walther's up close, but these are beautifully made. Very elegant and even the unique and exposed barrel making it look good.
Really? I dislike the look of the exposed barrel! Each to their own
Spark Gap I usually do aswell but on this and the Luger they look good. Maybe it's just the sheer familiarity of seeing it.
I can't believe how many guns Ian gets to handle that are basically historical artifacts. Any time someone says "this is the only one known in existence" they should follow with "so we are especially lucky today."
The developmental stages of this iconic pistol show the utter brilliance of the designers; likewise this presentation shows the understanding of the presenter. The value of these productions is irrefutable...
Keep up the excellent work!
Pistols with shoulder stocks always look cool. Also the stock working as a holster is neat idea.
But not new as the Mauser C96 (that's 1896) was the first or one of the first.
According to the ATF, shoulder stocks on pistols makes them automatic to fire 8 bullets a round. Oh not to mention the increase in power to where it can blow the body right out of the lungs. It's flabbergasting how science works.
Great video. I had a P38 collection and for a while I carried a Walther P5, which was the last in this development line for this basic design.
Hi ian, this is my first time comment, I have one of these, it is a 41 made by walther, s/ n reads ac 41 I absolutely love it, always fires, never had a problem I love your work, thanks and be safe, Rick
I'm more of a deagle and revolver kinda guy, but thanks to Lupin the 3rd, I have a lotta respect for this Walther.
I credit Indiana Jones, G1 Megatron, and Lupin the Third for some interest in the P38 on my end.
Wonderful historical tutorial,sir. I know I have a book somewhere with all that info,but...way more convenient this way (youtube). I bought an INTERARMS West German Police "trade-in" P-1 in the 1980`s which came with the original extra mag,white leather holster and cleaning kit. Still my favorite handgun (and first!).My pistol was one of the MANURHINs with the Berlin Police markings and corresponding serial numbers. Very accurate-shooting and ergonomic; a true joy to shoot. I highly recommend the P-38/P-1 both for it`s performance and "old school" sinister looks.
You can tell Ian is struggling to contain his excitement at being able to handle these historic weapons 😊
Oh my God! I want that stocked AP! It was just goofy till you pointed out the holster feature......now it's just genius!
Thank the Goddess for the ardent collectors. How often can we find, in one place, the full development of such an iconic firearm? Thanks Ian, masterful, as always.
Fantastic, thank you for this presentation, I learned quite a bit history of this iconic historical handgun.
Wow what an amazing collection. I really enjoyed seeing the differences, and changes with each prototype.
That detachable stock was really well done. Great video. Thank you.
Ian at the right time at the right place again. Awesome video, thank you again sir. Time to bump up the Patreon amount. :)
+Brian Reddeman Wow, thanks! :)
+Forgotten Weapons
You should check it now :)
+Brian Reddeman I did :)
Brian Reddeman I thought pistols were illegal for civilians in the ROK?
Truly excellent video, Ian (as usual). P38 is one of my favorites and it was great to see the development timeline so intelligently laid out.
Thank you for the unique content!No other channel comes close.Not even othais has access to line-up's like these.
"Simple blowback isn't ideal for pistol cartridges as 'hot' as 9mm"
Hi Point: "Hold my beer.."
Which is why Hi Points are so big and heavy compared to comparable pistols.
High Point: “Hold my Pabst Blue Ribbon beer”
There is an other, older 9mm Luger straight blowback pistols that were very successful. The Astra Model 400 started in 1921 and is a fantastic pistol. It ended production in the 1950's. Made of all forged and machined steel, I own one and have shot thousands of rounds over 50 years and never had a malfunction.
Very interesting presentation of the development of the P38! Thank you for doing the research and legwork to put this together. I imagine that must be a neat feeling to hold in your hand the "only known example" of a hand gun. Pretty cool.
Amazing collection, in regards to the last gun I feel you’re exactly correct, from my best armchair speculation, watching your video about improvised weapons, the magazine was almost always from another gun and they built the rest around that, to also have a unique magazine, it’s hard to believe it’s a late war last ditch effort, but just an early mock-up, because even with their issues late in the war, they could still probably find a production magazine.
It's not a late war gun as the war started in 1939 and the P38 started in 1938. But just like the MP38 and MP40 sub machine guns, Germany recognized the need to make things better, faster and cheaper.
Very interesting video Ian, thanks for taking the time to make it!
It is always very interesting to see the lineal development of something like this or the 1911, especially when prototypes are so rare, as these are. Great job and a nice find. If you include the Beretta 92 descendant, i suppose one could argue that the P38 and its descendants probably equal more military issue pistols than the 1911- german plus italian plus US M9's. I don't think the 1911 and 1911A1 reached too much over a million, the P38 and 92 and M9 probably have. The P38/P1 was West German issue into the early 80's at least. My P1 had 1979 dates in the slide. As i recall, the Sig 225 came along about 1983-84 as a police pistol to replace the P1 and older PP's and whatever else. Anyway, great video as always. Thank you
What timing! I just bought a Mauser made P38 this weekend, 1942 all matching and no import marks!
Very interesting! I've always liked the Walther P-38, fascinating to see the developmental process here.
What a collection! Would have liked to see another one of those rotary barrel versions.
Hi how are you, need ur help with this p38-k, it had a sight on the bridge and this is what is written on the side of the gun, carl walther waffentabrik Ulm/Do P38-k and there are other markings which i cant make out and describe untill i clean it. What surprised me waa the sight on top on the bridge. If you have any idea on what i just described please reply. You are the best person to ask because of your awesome and outstanding knowledge on the history of fire arms. Thank you, you have all my respects. One other thing under the bridge is days 9 para. Thanks.
5:54 the wood used in this gun looks so beautiful
That's a really amazing collection, especially including the one off design concept.
I'm a bit of a Waltherphile, though other than a PPK, all my Walthers are newer, much later designs.
Though I'd live to own any of these, they're all way beyond my income.
When I was about 10 or 11 I found a plastic P38 at my local model shop. AFAIK it was an accurate part for part replica in plastic. Of course some of the parts including the slide and barrel were supplied in two bookmatched halves. It even had cartridges with primers one had to build. I didn't begin to build it until I had made a few cars and planes and two years went by. I learned more about firearms than cars thanx to my brief model building.
Any one have experience leaning about gun mechanics through building models or taking replicas apart. I've not built a model anything since I started making real(not firearms). Seams like a decent way to learn the way guns work without buying thousands of bucks.
I still have all the plastic model construction kit pistols I built as a kid! I'm now seventy, been collecting real ones since I was old enough; but still learning thanks to Ian, Othias, Mark and the internet in general. Thanks, guys !
Great anthology of the P38. Thanks Ian.
While I'm not a P-38 fanboy I still found this a fascinating Video. Thank you
What an awesome collection of P-38s.
i was really hoping for a video like this after i saw all the models listed in the catalogue
WOW! What a collection. Thanks Ian & RIA..
That 9mm Luger PP is one of the neatest pistols I've ever seen. Pretty sure it wouldn't be much fun to shoot though.
The Luger is still my favorite pistol, but these are really nice too, and probably more functional as a military sidearm if we're being honest. I noticed that the action, at least visually, looks pretty similar to the Mauser 1914. The Germans didn't seem to be as fond of full slides that covered the entire barrel like you see with most American guns, but rather they had an exposed barrel and the ones that did use a slide were partially cut. I personally like the silhouette this creates. Very distinctly German.
The HP P-38, you show here, is exactly the same that Portugal adopted in 1961, if I am not mistaken!! Thousand thanks for this video, I cam to watch just another time!! ❤❤
Thank you very much Ian für this very informative video. I just got my permission to buy one of these beautiful pistols. Greetings from Germany.
I have a 1943 P.38. AC 43, it also has what looks like a X over the serial # left side of slide. I am told those are Soviet Armory marks... So i know this pistol was made in Berlin in the Walther Factory. 1st pistol i bought for myself...
So nice looking guns there and thanks for the history lesson on them.
That was awesome Ian! I wish I had a half-mill. sitting around.
I never liked the look of the P-38. I never found the long exposed barrel with the shortened slide particularly attractive. I do appreciate the way the gun works and it’s quite reliable. The Beretta M-9 and 92 series guns borrow a lot of the same features and I like those.
Beautiful designs and craftsmanship by Walther.
Excellent video. I am going to Yellowstone in a couple weeks and looking forward to stopping by the Cody Museum per another of your videos.
As a young policeman in South Africa I was issued a brand new Walther P38 9mmP pistol in 1979, serial number 338548. It was a German made pistol and not a Manurhin copy and I used it until 1985, when it was replaced by a Beretta 92 9mmP with serial number B27397Z
That magazine on the stamped gun seems like a pretty major indication of the gun's history. Had it been a late war prototype, they almost certainly would have done the same thing they did with VG rifles and used an existing magazine design, which in this case would have been the normal P.38's mag.
I know a 32 Battalion vet who used a Walhter P38 when he was in Angola. He preferred it over the Star pistols officers were issued.
He has the Megatron gun 😱
That prototype is very interesting. Definitely a rare gem.
Beautiful pistols, and an excellent over-view of P38 development.
Now if it wasn't for those damn gun laws, a (reinforced) polymer shoulder stock / holster would be a thing. 😒
I have 2 1944s that are flawless. They both shoot great.
Amazing, Thanks for showing a German Army P38 model. Black grip and all as it was meant to be...
I really love the couple of "development of" videos you've done. Hopefully you can come across more collections like these for awesome videos!
+jagx234 I hope to be able to do the Bergmann and Mannlicher systems later this year...
+Forgotten Weapons Yes! Now I eagerly await those!
I have a walther P1 fantastic handgun probably one of my favorite single stack guns I own
That stocked, long-barreled Walther is absolutely sexy. Reminds me of the Lange Luger/Artillery Luger. Too bad I'm poor.
Cabella's had surplus p-38s post- war a few years back. I picked one up for 350.00 bucks . Solid all around,fun to shoot at the range or for home defense.
The sheet metal gun is the most fascinating to me. It could well be that this was intended more as a mechanical prototype rather than a functional prototype. Kind of a "let's get this design in three dimensions and see what it all looks like and we can discuss it from there."
I really hope these all stayed together. I hate to see collections broken up.
My grandpa collects guns and has 3 p38’s. His uncle was in Europe after they took back France and they had a pile of German weapons and they let the soldiers take 1 home. He took home an original p 38 and he lets me shoot it often😀
Well done and educational. Many thanks!
I'd love to see a modernized p-38, with all the bells and whistles, yet still respecting the aesthetics.
Interesting, how many of Walther's designs have that kind of "Napoleon clock" shape when viewed square-on from the front. It's there in the P38, PPK, M9 and others.
It's great to see how the P38 developed, and how the designer's minds worked.
Damn that sheetmetal prototype will sell for a lot. Rarity due to low production numbers or destruction are one thing, but the literal ground-zero-#0001 of the entire line is a completely different beast.
I have one given to me by a relative. I've always liked the P-38 as it's looks, feel and shooting all seem to say Deutsches Automatische Pistole. If I had to come downstairs in the middle of the night after hearing the thumps, bumps and clatter of the plate being stuffed in a sack this is what would accompany me. I'd bring it as opposed to better choices just so i could say "For you, your criminal career is over. Your hands...UP! (Said with the best of good humour.)
It's a bit of a shame it's not one lot at auction. As a whole set these would serve a museum collection very nicely. Thanks for the video! :-)
+NekitaNet Heh...there are very, very few museums that could afford to buy these as a set.
Great video. How nice to have them all together like that.
"very enthusiastic walther collector" Where did you say you come from again sir?
"Ich werde den Kampf für mein Führer weiter!!!"
Da fehlt ein verb
Developmental history of G1 Megatron
Looking to buy my first firearm and have been looking at p38s. I just really enjoy ww2 firearms, especially German ones
Other sources have mentioned a significance to the shape of the block or sheath around the firing pin. I noticed you showed some with a round block (that sheetmetal example didn't have any separate insert.) However there was also a rectangular block/insert -- I think moreso with the police version. I'm particularly interested in this topic because I have a P38 that doesn't seem to fit any of the versions and has many stamped marks, some...odd. Do you have a more detailed video about P38s?
An outstanding video covering one of my favorite pistol - the P38.
The pp was one of the best pistols I ever had. Wish I didn't sell. My only complaint about the p38 is it tends to kick the spent casing straight up into your face instead of out to the side.
I really like how informative and historical these videos are! Just a small tip, Walther is pronounced like Vaulter (in German, W is pronounced as V, and th is pronounced t)
As a Walther I found this fascinating
That sheetmetal prototype has an extractor off of a rifle bolt on it, safe money would say its off of a mauser 8mm bolt.
Very interesting and well done. I believe that on the later models, the hammer and trigger were hollowed out. Was that the same here and at what point did they do it and why? Were they stamped or forged and machined?
What do the grip panels on the sheet metal gun compare to? If they are made of bakelite, this could indicate to when the gun was made. I imagine you wouldn't form bakelite grips for just a one off proof of concept gun, but rather utilise what you are already producing. This is of course considering they are the originals and have never been replaced.
Great development history lesson.
I am amazed that a collector could obtain the various development prototypes. These have to be extremely rare. Truly a one-of-a-kind collection. Too bad it will probably be broken up ...
Several things made the P-38 stand out:
1. its sight. Vastly superior than those of the Browning Hi-Power.
2. its design was extensively copied in the design of the Beretta 92 / M9: external trigger draw-bar on top of the right grip panel, wide ejection clearance and especially the locking block.
Me: Genie I wish for a bigger PP
Genie it is done your Police Pistol now shoots 9mm
Ian....Thanks ...very interesting...it would be good to show clips ( if you can find them) of production of these weapons.