This is a fine example of a very rare Gustloff-Werke experimental semi-automatic pistol. The development of this pistol design started circa 1938/39 under the direction of Fritz Sauckel Gauleiter of Thuringia and was manufactured by the Gustloff-Werke. The pistol was a simple blow-back design that has the rare "Zinc" metal frame with an aluminum triggerguard bow and front frame extension (similar to the Sauer Mod.38 pistol) with a steel slide similar in shape to the Walther PP models, with a single action internal hammer design. It is reported 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. Consequently it was theorized that no production progressed beyond the early developmental stages with approximately 100 total manufactured. This rare example is actually numbered "17" on the left side of the frame, with matching number (17) on the trigger, slide, hammer, takedown block, sear and magazine. The slide has a raised serrated sight rib with a blade front sight and drift adjustable rear sight, with shallow grip serrations on both sides 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 has the rare commercial slide markings on the left side that read: "G/GUSTLOFF WERKE WAFFENWERK SUHL" with a "Nazi Eagle/N" proof on the right rear side of the frame and slide. It is fitted with a set of molded brown bakelite checkered grips with the left grip having a large circled letter "G" molded into it. As noted it has all matching numbers to include the magazine and comes with a unmarked, modified brown leather commercial holster. The pistols "Zinc" colored frame has taken on the darker color consistent with Zinc material and the aluminum trigger guard bow/front frame piece is still in the white from the factory having never been finished and the slide has an all blued finish.

Extremely fine with the slide retaining 95% of the blue finish overall with the frame and barrel as noted still in the white from the factory. The grips are very fine with nice sharp checkering on the sides, with only very minor handling marks in a few places. Mechanically fine. A really high condition, late WWII Nazi Gustloff Experimental pistol. Additional Information: After further evaluation, we believe that this example has the rare "Zinc" metal frame with an aluminum triggerguard bow/front frame extension.