Pictured on page 163 of Warren Buxton's book "The P.38 Pistol, Volume 2", as an example of the "U" proofed variant of the Zero Series Spreewerke P.38 pistol. The Spreewerke Zero Series marks the final days of the Third Reich, as the Spreewerke facility found itself increasingly cut off from supplies by the advances of the Western Allies and the USSR, resorting to salvaging previously rejected parts and borrowing from inventory originally meant for armory use to produce full pistols. The "U" stamp is only seen on the Zero Spreewerkes, and its meaning is uncertain; it's been speculated that it simply means "untersuchung" (inspection) or could indicate a salvaged part. Fixed sights, with "P.38" and "cyq" marked on the slide, "U" and "eagle/swastika" on the right side of the slide, the "U" repeated on the barrel, and matching numbers on the slide, barrel, frame and (renumbered) locking block. The grips are ribbed brown plastic, with a blued "eagle/88" marked magazine.

Fine, with 70% of the original blue finish, showing a gray patina on the frontstrap, bright edge wear, and minor handling marks. The grips are also fine, with a few light scratches. Mechanically excellent.