This is a very rare example of a pre-WWII Commercial Walther Model HP pistol that was manufactured in the early third developmental stage of production in mid to late 1940. In the book "The P38 Pistol" by Warren Buxton, on page 118, it is estimated that approximately 145 were produced in both 9 mm and 7.65 with only "12" examples documented at time of publication, with this example having a lower serial number than those listed. This was the only time the 7.65mm caliber was produced on a standard production basis in double action. These early Walther HP commercials are very rare as so few were produced with most seeing use during the war and/or refinished/altered after the war. The left side of the slide is marked with the Walther banner followed by the two-line factory legend, caliber and "Mod. HP". The serial number "2942" is located on the front of the barrel lug, the inside of the slide on the right side of the frame above the trigger guard. The bottom of the locking block is unnumbered; however, it is stamped with the correct "Eagle/N" and "Eagle/359" Waffenamt proofs. The right side of the slide, frame and barrel are stamped with the early commercial "Eagle/N" proofmark. It is fitted with the very early style push button locking block release, external extractor, and early checkered, thumb rest Walther walnut grips. It is also fitted with the early production stamped trigger with the non-factory checkered face with the white outline rear sight with the wide notch and a non-factory modified wide target type front sight with a red plastic insert in lieu of the red paint. It comes with a early unmarked all blued stamped magazine. The top edge of the right grip has been stamped "KIRBY", which was probably the name of the original WWII vet.