WWII Era Walther P38 with super low Serial Number (with photos)
- Thread starter Reloadjunkie
- Start date
I’ve seend production charts that, if I’m reading it correctly, would place prduction between June-July of 1942. It shows just over 7,000 being produced in 1942, with only 50 or so being produced per month in June and July. I also see that it might be considered a “2nd variation as serial numbers between low singles up to about 500 had up to five small parts with the WA359 stamps on them.
I’m still learning more about it so if anyone can confirm or add, I’d very much appreciate additional info. Its my 6th P38 but first Spreewerk and first two digit sn
I’m still learning more about it so if anyone can confirm or add, I’d very much appreciate additional info. Its my 6th P38 but first Spreewerk and first two digit sn
okcorral1881
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- East of Toronto
If I'm not mistaken you gun was manufactured (in a rush obviously) near the end of 44. When they reached serial #10000 they would start over at # 1 but would change the suffix, the letter Y in your case.
The number 10000 Z was reached in February 45, all the letters taken they then put the letter has a prefix EX: A 1
OK
The number 10000 Z was reached in February 45, all the letters taken they then put the letter has a prefix EX: A 1
OK
According to this production chart---- 'cyq' Y 32 was manufactured in December 1944.
Some Spreewerk magazine stuff---for what it is worth.
E over 88 marked magazines.
It is my opinion that no magazine production ever took place at Spreewerk Grottau or Spreewerk Kratzau.
Spreewerk was never set up for or intended to be in the business of manufacturing magazines. Unlike the experienced and self sufficient arms manufacturers such as Walther and Mauser, that manufactured all parts and components for their pistols, Spreewerk was a satellite facility for wartime pistol manufacture only. So other than the first few magazines brought by Walther, ENM was most likely the only manufacturer of magazines for the Spreewerk pistols.
It is also my opinion that the E/88 inspector served both factories until he was replaced at the ENM factory by the E/WaA706 inspector.
The code jvd was assigned prior to that as evidenced by the mags marked both jvd and E/88.
Since some jvd marked mags are also marked E/88 we cannot assume the E/88 stamp indicates Spreewerk manufacture Just as we cannot assume anything from the shape of the welds since round, oval, rectangular, and elongated all appear on these magazines.
Therefore it is a bit of a misnomer to use the description "Spreewerk" magazine for these mags marked E/88 with no other markings as this implies these were manufactured by Spreewerk. This has never been proven. They were intended for and issued with Spreewerk pistols but I suggest that since these early E/88 mags do not carry a factory code that we stick with calling them "E/88" magazines as some collectors already do.
I would like to thank the following individuals that contributed information and photos for this research and
presentation:
Jan Balcar Leon DeSpain Marc Mandro
Dennis Johnson (DJ) Dennis de Vlieger Mark Castel
Malcolm Saxon Per Mathisen Dave Shike
Some Spreewerk magazine stuff---for what it is worth.
E over 88 marked magazines.
It is my opinion that no magazine production ever took place at Spreewerk Grottau or Spreewerk Kratzau.
Spreewerk was never set up for or intended to be in the business of manufacturing magazines. Unlike the experienced and self sufficient arms manufacturers such as Walther and Mauser, that manufactured all parts and components for their pistols, Spreewerk was a satellite facility for wartime pistol manufacture only. So other than the first few magazines brought by Walther, ENM was most likely the only manufacturer of magazines for the Spreewerk pistols.
It is also my opinion that the E/88 inspector served both factories until he was replaced at the ENM factory by the E/WaA706 inspector.
The code jvd was assigned prior to that as evidenced by the mags marked both jvd and E/88.
Since some jvd marked mags are also marked E/88 we cannot assume the E/88 stamp indicates Spreewerk manufacture Just as we cannot assume anything from the shape of the welds since round, oval, rectangular, and elongated all appear on these magazines.
Therefore it is a bit of a misnomer to use the description "Spreewerk" magazine for these mags marked E/88 with no other markings as this implies these were manufactured by Spreewerk. This has never been proven. They were intended for and issued with Spreewerk pistols but I suggest that since these early E/88 mags do not carry a factory code that we stick with calling them "E/88" magazines as some collectors already do.
I would like to thank the following individuals that contributed information and photos for this research and
presentation:
Jan Balcar Leon DeSpain Marc Mandro
Dennis Johnson (DJ) Dennis de Vlieger Mark Castel
Malcolm Saxon Per Mathisen Dave Shike
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