This is a rare experimental semi-automatic pistol developed in 1939 by the Gustloff-Werke factory intending to compete with the Walther PP/PPK pistols. The consignor stated that this was a WWII Vet purchase who served as an officer in the 11th Division which overran the Gustloff-Werkes factory in Suhl. Fritz Sauckel, an ardent Nazi and Gauleiter of Thuringia, was the founder of Gustloff-Werke factory and promoted the development of this pistol. It is a blow-back operated design with steel slide similar in shape to the Walther PP models albeit with a completely internal hammer design (enclosed rear end of the slide). Historical documents indicated that in January 1940 a prototype was submitted to Adolf Hitler with the suggestion that it be adopted for use by the various police agencies, and that production could be accomplished at the old Weimar factory using slave labor from the nearby Buchenwald concentration camp. However, due to the outbreak of WWII and large numbers of both Walther PP and PPKs pistol already in use throughout the German military, no order ever materialized. It is estimated that fewer than 100 of these rare prototype/early production pistols were ever manufactured. This is a later production example as it has an all "steel" frame, while most models encountered had the duraluminum frame similar to the Sauer Mod. 38 pistol. It has a sliding safety on the left side of the frame with a frame mounted magazine release. The left side of the slide is roll stamped with a stylized "G" above the two-line legend "GUSTLOFF-WERKE/WAFFENWERK SUHL", with the top having a raised serrated sight rib with a blade front sight and drift adjustable rear sight. The right side of the frame and slide both has a single "Eagle/N" Nazi commercial proof mark. The barrel is stamped "Kal.7.65 mm" over the chamber area. It is fitted with a set of walnut grips that are checkered on the lower 3/4 of each grip with the left grip having carved with a large circled letter "G". It is complete with one steel magazine that is numbered "195"on the base plate. The pistol has an all blued frame and slide clearly indicating that this pistol was a normal production model.