This is an extremely rare example of an early production Walther Model AP (Armee-Pistole) prototype pistol that includes its original factory walnut shoulder stock/holster with two original matching magazines. 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 that exhibited the early "concealed hammer" design. Most of these Armee Pistols had different features as no two alike, because Walther was continuing to experiment on this design to see which one worked the best for both functioning and production aspects. 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, twin recoil springs on the frame, longer 8 inch barrel with a machined take down lever with larger checkered head and larger machined slide release lever. Most of these features were later incorporated into standard Walther HP and P38 production pistols. The sides of the slide also has a unique single reinforcing rib on each side and the concealed, internal hammer, characteristic of only "Mod AP" pistols. It is estimated that these early prototypes were produced circa 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 (below the slide serrations) that has been machined to accept the accompanying original Walther combination wooden shoulder stock/holster. This stock design is similar to the early Mauser Broomhandle, in that the inside was machined out for the pistol, to include an extra space for storing the spare magazine. Inside the lid there is an area that holds a small and extremely rare flat screwdriver/take down tool. The left side of the slide on the reinforcing rib is marked: "Waffenfabrik Walther, Zella-Mehlis (Thur)" and below that it has the Walther Banner followed by "Armee-Pistole Cal. 9 m/m". The right side of the slide below the reinforcing rib it is marked "Walther's Patent". The right side of the frame is stamped with serial number "09". 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 pistol has a separate takedown and hold open lever and a concealed hammer, with the checkered takedown lever. The serial number, "09" is located on the right side of the frame above the trigger guard bow, the right side of the barrel lug, the right side of the locking block and the top, right side slide rail. Additionally the underside rear cut out area of the slide and firing pin are both stamped "9.". It is fitted with a set of checkered walnut grips with the full length checkering on each side that are also marked "9." on the back of each grip. As noted this ultra rare pistol includes its original walnut combination shoulder stock/holster. It has a very unique, heavily machined attaching iron on the front end. The stock is machined on the inside (hollowed out ) to store the pistol along with a slit for a single magazine. The upper flat of the stock under the lid is also stamped "09". As noted this rare pistol includes two early all blued and all machined Walther magazines that are marked on the lower left side: "09-17 and 09-18". 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.