This is an extremely rare example of the prototype factory stocked, Walther AP, concealed hammer semi-automatic "Armee-Pistole". These early AP pistols were Walther's continuing attempts at developing a suitable semi-automatic pistol for military sales, that were a continuation of the very early Walther M.P. designs. They should still be considered as an early engineering design/development model, which incorporated several unique and innovative features such as the "swinging locking block" and "twin recoil springs on the frame". Both of which were later incorporated into all Walther HP and P38 production pistols. It is estimated that these were produced in the early 1935-37 time frame with only a handful known to exist in the world today. This example features the all steel frame with the longer rear frame area that has been machined to accept an original Walther combination wooden shoulder stock/holster. This stock design is similar to the early Mauser Broomhandle; however, the inside was not only hollowed out for the pistol, but an extra space was machined for a spare magazine. Inside the lid there is an area that holds a small highly rare screwdriver take down tool. The left side of the slide is marked: "Waffenfabrik Walther, Zella-Mehlis (Thur)" on the reinforcing rib. The Walther Banner followed by "Armee-Pistole Cal. 9 m/m" is located directly below the rib. "Walther's Patent" is located directly below the reinforcing rib on the opposite side of the slide. The right side of the slide and barrel have a small "Crown N" commercial proof. This example has the original Walther factory wraparound two-piece grips that have the full checkered panels on each side with a lanyard loop on the lower left side. The sides of the slide have the single reinforcing rib characteristic of Mod AP pistols. The pistol has a separate takedown and hold open lever and a concealed hammer, with the checkered takedown lever. The serial number, "021" is located on the right side of the frame above the trigger guard bow, on the right barrel rib, and on the right side of the slide rail and on the underside cut out of the rear portion of the slide and the firing pin. The locking block is numbered "019", but as Warren Buxton has observed, a number of Walther Armee pistols have a few mismatched parts that were interchanged at the factory by the technicians working on them, in that the changed piece worked better than the intial part. All the Armee pistols produced had different features, there are no two alike. Walther was experimenting, as was their policy with experimental series. They made many variants to see which worked better. The lower left side of two magazines are numbered "021-41" and the third magazine is numbered "021-42", all are blue. One of the 021-41 magazines is Mauser made with a 135 proof (perhaps for testing), the other is a standard Walther magazine with a 3 on the spine. There is limited original factory information on this specific design for obvious reasons; however, there are two excellent reference books that provide historical, factual information on this model. The first is Walther Vol. III, 1908-1980, by Rankin on pp. 72-73 and the second is "The P38 Pistol" by Buxton, Vol I, pp. 31-33, and pp. 48-67. This Walther Mod. AP is an extremely scarce and important pistol in the overall design and development of the Walther P.38. We believe this to be the first time a stocked AP has ever been offered at auction.