This is an example of a very rare Berlin Suhler Waffen prototype gas operated semi-automatic pistol in "9mm". This pistol is described and photographed on page 25 of "The P.38 Pistol Volume I" by Buxton (notice the shape of the milled panels of the frame). This pistol was intended for service use and to compete with the Walther HP pistol. It is assumed that the pistol was too complex and too difficult to manufacture to make it a viable competitor. The pistol has a very unique delayed blow-back, double action type design with some very unique and interesting features. The first is that the frame is actually constructed out of three separate pieces. The center section is all aluminum with a steel reinforcing plate on each side. The three pieces are pinned together with a push-pin design that allows the pistol to be quickly and easily assembled, with no real tools and probably made from low cost materials. The other interesting aspect is that on the underside of the slide, at the front end of the frame is a large, single cocking lever. This lever locks into a lug on the front underside of the slide, with the front edge of the lever, actually sitting into a cutout area on the underside of the barrel. To cock the pistol you have to depress a small lever on the front of the trigger guard bow, pull down this front locking lever and then draw the slide reward. This will charge the pistol. Then during the actually firing/cycle of the pistol, this front underside cutout area of the barrel has a small port cut into it that forces the front of this cocking lever downward to release the slide which would allow the action to cycle. The interesting aspect is that the locking lug on the front inside area of the slide (noted above) actually holds the slide closed until the bullet passes the port on the barrel, where the resulting gases drives this front locking lever downward. This mechanism delays the slide movement until the bullet passes the port and exits the barrel. Obviously this is an improvement as it would improve accuracy some what, but also allows the frame to be constructed from low strength materials, e.g. the three piece frame, as the frame would not have to take the stress imparted from the recoil into a standard blow-back pistol. Very interesting and unique design, that was probably way ahead of its time! There is no serial number or proof marks are on the pistol. There are only two known examples, each having minor differences in features and milling pattern. The top of the slide has a raised serrated sight rib with a blade front sight and drift adjustable rear sight, with shallow grip serrations on the front end of the slide. There is a small sliding safety on the left side of the frame with the frame mounted push button magazine release. The pistol has a flared front grip strap and corresponding magazine floor plate. It is fitted with a set of checkered walnut grips. It is complete with the one original magazine. The pistol has an all blued steel components with the center section of the frame anodized. A very interesting pistol.

Fine as professionally restored with the lower frame and front locking lever still retaining 95% of their anodized finish overall with the slide, having an old reblued finish, which is thinning mixed with some brown patina areas. The recheckered grips are in very fine condition with nice sharp distinct checkering. Mechanically fine. A very interesting and unique prototype Berlin-Suhler Waffen.