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Walther P38 AC41

jericko
Hello

My Dad handed down to me Walther P38 AC41 that his Father took off a dead German in WW2. It is in excellent condition, with a minor bit of rust that has been kept in a shoebox for the past 50+ years. On the right side of the gun it has 3 stamps, one is Nazi Gemany National Insignia (as seen in this pic http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Reichsadler.svg). I do not plan to sell it, but was wondering how rare is was and what would the value be on something like this?

Thanks to all who reply!
Jason
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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • rufe-snow
    There were 3 different variations of the AC 41, as far as finish and markings are concerned, with over 100,000 produced.

    Best to post quality close up photos, for valuation purposes.

    The rust/pitting could have a negative affect as far as collectors value is concerned.
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  • jericko
    Here are pictures of both sides I just took, the gun is very dirty, it has not been cleaned yet. I have a buddy who I am going to ask to clean it up.

    Here are pics of both sides of the gun:

    http://www.tconl.com/~jericko/P38.JPG
    http://www.tconl.com/~jericko/P38b.JPG

    Also, looks like the Clip has a different serial number then the gun. Here is the number on the gun: P.38 ac41 4176d

    My father told me my Grandfather used this gun at the Battle of the Bulge, so any info on this gun would be appreciated.

    Thanks
    Jason Norton
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  • Old hickory
    AC 41 go from $600 - $2500 There are 3 variations The first just has a 4 digit, numerical serial no. the second variation has 4 digits and an A or B prefix the third encompasses 4 dig. and c - about j letters. Most of these guns from 1941 saw hard use so it's unusual to find a pristine one or even 85% The first two var. had mags numbered to the gun with a 4 digit number. Try p38forum.com to get a good foto gallery and tons of info.
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  • Herschel
    Please limit the cleaning to wiping it off with a slightly oily cloth. Cleaning that removes any of the finish will detract from the value of the pistol. I recently saw a large frame colt double action revolver that a "friend" had volunteered to reblue for the widow who inherited it from her husband. He turned an $800 pistol into a $200 one. With friends like that, who needs enemies?
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  • jericko
    Herschel, thank you for the advice, do you think I should call a gun-smith and see if he could remove the rust and clean it up?

    Old hickory, since the serial is 4176d, does that mean anything to you?


    Thanks Guys!

    Jason Norton
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  • rufe-snow
    quote:Originally posted by jericko
    Herschel, thank you for the advice, do you think I should call a gun-smith and see if he could remove the rust and clean it up?

    Old hickory, since the serial is 4176d, does that mean anything to you?


    Thanks Guys!

    Jason Norton



    The pistol doesn't appear all that bad rust wise in your photos. Take Herschel's advice to heart, don't let anybody attempt to remove the rust. Just leave a light film of oil on the surface to prevent further rusting.

    From the serial number it appears the pistol is the second and most common variation of the AC 1941. According to my reference, although my data doesn't agree with what OH has told you.
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  • gary wray
    jericko...to answer your questions, your P38 is not that rare (20% of the total Walther P38 production was the AC41 model)and in the condition I see from the photos probably is worth $700+ but to you is priceless due to how you have come by it. There were three subvariations of the AC41 and your SN seems to fit SV2 and the way to check is to see if there is a small ac on the left trigger guard. If so, it is SV1, if not, SV2. Since it was deleted beginning about mid(b) to mid(i) methinks that you are looking at SV2. As to cleaning it up, just stop the rust by a light coat of oil and leave it alone...I would recommend that you don't have a "buddy" clean up your gun that your grandfather "liberated" as you are risking losing the friendship and hurting the potential value of the gun. Do it yourself or, better yet, take it to a gunsmith who knows what he is doing and ask him to break it down and see if all the #'s match as he cleans it, which would increase the value of the gun. What you have is the first double action semiauto pistol accepted into military service and, IMHO, still one of the best pistols in the world. I keep a BYF 43 with a Handall in my bedstand. It still is a tackdriver. I enjoy shooting it at the range and you might want to do the same with yours (after taking it to the gunsmith for a checkout). Another way to increase the value of the gun is to lock down the history of the gun...where and when your GF got it, what unit he was in etc which w/o capture papers, is about all you can do to track the weapon. You don't mention a holster for it, but with that item you can add $200+ value to the gun. Thanks to your grandfather for his service to our country. Good shooting!
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  • jericko
    I wanted to thank all the people who took their time to reply and provide me with some great information.

    My Grandfather passed away in the late 70s, just as I was born so I do not know where I would find much info on this gun. My Grandma just passed last week at the age of 89, so cleaning her house with my parents is when we found the gun in a old shoebox (along with 2 others.) My wife is going to put it in a display box and put it in my office.

    Thanks again for all the info/advice!

    Jason Norton
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  • Blairweescot
    quote:Originally posted by jericko
    Hello

    My Dad handed down to me Walther P38 AC41 that his Father took off a dead German in WW2. It is in excellent condition, with a minor bit of rust that has been kept in a shoebox for the past 50+ years. On the right side of the gun it has 3 stamps, one is Nazi Gemany National Insignia (as seen in this pic http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Reichsadler.svg). I do not plan to sell it, but was wondering how rare is was and what would the value be on something like this?

    Thanks to all who reply!
    Jason


    Hi Jason

    Head on over to this website:

    http://www.p38forum.com/

    All will be revealed :)
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  • Old hickory
    Jericko - the D prefix means your gun was made around April -May of 1941 which was one month before the Nazi suicide invasion of Russia. Many of the early Walthers went to Stalingrad where most are probably buried under 50 meters of rubble. So, despite a production of 10,000 per month a diproportionate number of early p-38 were destroyed. Also from 1939 the finish on Walthers deteriorated Your D series is a little better finished than an f series from 1941 The A-B prefix 1941 still had a nicely polished and blued finish. As you might guess I love p-38s and see alot and your gun probably is worth more than $1000. As rufe snow said a holster is a real plus and 1940 41 and 42 holsters did not survive in great numbers and those years can go for over $300 depending on condition and maker.
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