Commercial versions of the Walther P-38 were called the Walther HP Heeres Pistole.
Pretty much identical except for markings.
Here is my brief understanding of what went on mid-war.....
They were made during the war as well due to German society adopting Military Uniforms for many layers in day to day life, not just Soldiers on Active Duty, so there were apparently a lot of private purchase and organization purchase of these.
The HP was not supplied to the Military apparently until the large battle over Kursk which resulted in the German Military High Command giving directives to armament manufacturers to release anything and everything to " The Front".
Walther was able to go thru their stores and release HP's that were already in stock or finish assembly of a bunch and get them out. They were already produced at the Main Walther plant 359 and in order to meet the requirement of the Frame, Slide, and barrel having a serial number for Military issue, these HP's were electric pencil marked by the Germans at Walther to comply.
The electic pencil marks on the outside of an HP would not likely be a Russian capture situation as this directive was received to identify these pistols with a serial number on the outside of the 3 main components.
If this had to be my last purchase, I was very please when it came in as the original finish is very nice and the bore is very good with some light frost on the tops of the lands and nice rich blueing everywhere else in the barrel.
Transfer.....April 22 - Jan 23.....wow.
Is it the last of an era?.....who knows. Cheers
Pretty much identical except for markings.
Here is my brief understanding of what went on mid-war.....
They were made during the war as well due to German society adopting Military Uniforms for many layers in day to day life, not just Soldiers on Active Duty, so there were apparently a lot of private purchase and organization purchase of these.
The HP was not supplied to the Military apparently until the large battle over Kursk which resulted in the German Military High Command giving directives to armament manufacturers to release anything and everything to " The Front".
Walther was able to go thru their stores and release HP's that were already in stock or finish assembly of a bunch and get them out. They were already produced at the Main Walther plant 359 and in order to meet the requirement of the Frame, Slide, and barrel having a serial number for Military issue, these HP's were electric pencil marked by the Germans at Walther to comply.
The electic pencil marks on the outside of an HP would not likely be a Russian capture situation as this directive was received to identify these pistols with a serial number on the outside of the 3 main components.
If this had to be my last purchase, I was very please when it came in as the original finish is very nice and the bore is very good with some light frost on the tops of the lands and nice rich blueing everywhere else in the barrel.
Transfer.....April 22 - Jan 23.....wow.
Is it the last of an era?.....who knows. Cheers
