Note that there is no model designation on this. All of these should be military proof marked! The zero series P38 will belong in either a 1939, 1940, or early undated WaA holster (as this one is!). Most P38 hard shell holster will follow this pattern (but not all!). Note that no model designation will be on these, like later magazine have!

Most likely done by the Russians who captured it. The one on the left has had the serial number scratched out. These two do not match, but are both original zero series magazine. The serial number will be marked on the left side of the magazine, and should match the gun. Even the grips will be serial numbered to match the gun! as well as proof marked. Every part on the zero series will be proof marked with the 'eagle 359' marking. Note the checkered grips, high-polished finish.Ĭlose up of the left side of the zero series. Note rounded lanyard loop, and slot on the grips. Below is pictured an example of the Zero series P38 produced by Walther.

'Zero Series' - As stated earlier, the first production P38s were part of a Zero-series, which have the Walther banner, and serial numbers from 01-013000. However all of these designs were rejected, because of the high prices, as well as weight. This oversized PP had a locking system with a rotating barrel. Once they had this design, the weight and dimensions of the MP were changed.

They found one developed by an American named Pederson, who developed it for the Remington pistols. However it needed to be simple, cheap, and still reliable. Only about a dozen of these pistols left the factory, and only about 6 are known to still exist! Walther decided that they needed a locking system. This pistol had a very high weight, and recoil spring was difficult, and not reliable. The first unlocked military pistol was known as the Walther MP (militarpisole). The blowback design was the key, and was much cheaper to produce than any locking systems. Walther thought first that they simply needed to enlarge the dimensions of the PP in order to have a successful 9mm Parabellum design. This pistol was very successful it was a blowback action, with a double action trigger. The first design in this series of pistols was the Walther PP.

Walther p38 serial numbers lookup