This is an unusual example of a very early WWII Walther commercial "HP" P.38 pistol. It was manufactured with an all alloy frame and lanyard loop on the side. These early experimental/alloy frame P.38 pistols were manufactured in extremely small numbers, mostly in the early serial number range of 2,300-2,345 and again in the serial number block of 6,301-7,250. Any existing P.38 in those blocks is considered extremely rare as very few were actually manufactured with only a few documented examples even know to exist today. The real enigma on this specific pistol, is that it falls into a late production commercial serial number range of "15365". That places this pistol as being manufactured in early 1942 within the standard commercial HP pistols, only this example also carries a military proofed slide. The other very interesting feature of this pistol is the fact that it has an early experimental cast and machined horseshoe shaped sear that has been etched with a "Eagle/359" Waffenamt proof on the left side. Since this falls into such a very late production range this pistol may be a one of one special order or late Wehrmacht experimental pistol ordered/manufactured by the Walther factory. The reason for the scarcity is because these early alloy frames had a tendency to crack with large amounts of shooting, especially when chambered in the 9mm cartridge. A similar cracking problem developed in the later post-WWII "P1" military P.38 pistols and to remedy this Walther installed a hardened steel pin through the side of the frame to reinforce the front area and to take up the stress from the locking block area. This example remains in its original, unaltered condition with the early machined out frame well. The left side of the slide is marked with the Walther Banner followed by the two line factory legend and caliber markings followed by "Mod HP". The serial number 15365 is located on the right side of the frame, the front of the barrel lug and the top right side of the slide rail, and an additional number "35" stamped on the very front edge on the right side of the barrel lug. The bottom of the locking block is stamped "365". The underside of the front barrel lug is also stamped with an early small "ac" proof stamp. This rare example is stamped with the "Eagle/N" commercial proofmark on the right side of the barrel, locking block and frame. It has the "Eagle/359" Waffenamt/military proof on the right side of the slide. As noted this example has the early style machined front frame well and it has been fitted with a set of magnificently carved acorn and oak leaf motif walnut grip panels.

Fine with 30% of a thinning blue finish on the slide and barrel with the alloy frame still in the original Walther factory in the white finish. The frame was never anodized or coated. Mechanically excellent.