German Walther P.38 AC44 1944 Pistol
SKU: GERMAN WALTHER P.38 AC44
Original/Reproduction: Original
Availability: In-Stock
Manufacturer: Walther
Date Manufactured: 1944
Model: P.38
Caliber: 9mm
Serial Number: 679e
Action Type: Toggle Action Striker-Fired Semi-Auto, Removable Magazine Fed
Capacity: 8 Rounds
Barrel Length: 5" Inch
Bore: 8.5/10
Grips: Ribbed grips
Condition: Very Good/9.7%
Price: $2000.00
Seller Type: Classification: C&R / FFL
Seller ID: JMW
Seller Code: GJ-1200.00
Return Policy: 3-day inspection and return policy on used guns and accessories.
Description
The pistol has the "experimental" or "new" blue finish which began and ended in the "e" block serial number range. This finish gave these pistols a purple/red hue. The pistol has the one line "ac44" slide marking, correct "Eagle/359" proofs and matching "e" block visible serial numbers. Fitted with a set of ribbed grips. An "Eagle/359" proof is stamped on the spine of the "P38" marked magazine.
History
The Walther P.38 is a semi-automatic pistol that was developed by the German arms manufacturer Walther in the late 1930s. The P.38 was designed to replace the aging Luger P08 pistol that had been in service with the German military since World War I. The P.38 was introduced in 1938, just in time for the outbreak of World War II.
One of the most common variants of the Walther P.38 is the AC 44 model. The AC 44 designation stands for "Aluminium frame, Walther plant, 1944". As the name suggests, the AC 44 features an aluminum frame, which was introduced to conserve steel during the war effort. The AC 44 was produced in large numbers during the latter stages of World War II, with approximately 162,000 units manufactured.
The AC 44 model of the Walther P.38 is notable for its quality and reliability. Despite being produced during the chaotic final years of the war, the AC 44 was known for its precise machining and tight tolerances. This was due in part to the fact that the Walther plant had largely been spared from Allied bombing, allowing production to continue relatively uninterrupted.
The AC 44 also featured a number of design improvements over earlier variants of the P.38. One of the most significant of these was the addition of a loaded chamber indicator, which consisted of a small pin that protruded from the back of the slide when a round was chambered. This made it easier for the shooter to determine whether the gun was loaded or not.
Another improvement introduced on the AC 44 was the addition of a simplified safety mechanism. Earlier variants of the P.38 had featured a complex safety mechanism that was prone to malfunction, but the AC 44 simplified this design, making it more reliable.
Despite its quality and reliability, the AC 44 came too late in the war to have a significant impact on the outcome of the conflict. However, it remains an important piece of firearms history and is highly prized by collectors and enthusiasts today.
