Lot 552: Documented Post War CZ "Vz46" P.38 Pistol with FN Slide

Pictured on page 52 of Warren Buxton's book "The P.38 Pistol, Volume 3", this is a fine post-World War II Czech "CZ Vz46" P.38 Pistol. Produced in the aftermath of the war as the Czechoslovakian government needed to balance the need for service pistols with limited resources, the Vz46 made heavy use of parts stocks and machinery left over from the German occupation, as well as complete P.38s claimed as spoils of war. As a familiar, modern and war-tested design, the Vz46 kept them in good stead until time and resources permitted domestic designs like the Vz52 to be developed. This particular example uses a rarely found "P38" and "ac/44" marked Fabrique Nationale slide, a CZ "fnh" barrel, and Spreewerke "eagle/88" frame and locking block, all matching numbered. A Czech "lion" inspection mark is present on top of the barrel and on the left side of the trigger guard, and "46" on the right side of the triggerguard. The grips are ribbed brown plastic, with a "P.38U" and "jvd" marked magazine with "7413" electro-penciled on the floorplate.

Very fine, with 80% of the arsenal blue finish, showing a light brown patina on the frontstrap, areas of gray on the barrel and slide, bright edge wear and minor handling marks. The grips are very good, with some light scratches. The magazine does not consistently engage the slide catch, but the pistol is otherwise mechanically excellent; swapping magazines during testing resolved the catch issue.