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LOT 3573
Excellent World War II “Zero” Series Walther P.38 Semi-Automatic Pistol
with Holster and Two Magazines - Serial no. 09365, 9 mm cal., 4 7/8 inch round
bbl., blue finish, black checkered plastic grips. This is an excellent example
of the very desirable fourth developmental stage, “Zero” Series P.38 pistol
(usually called 3rd Model Zero-Series). All of these Zero Series P.38 pistols are
very significant as they track the various production changes that occurred
throughout the early production cycle at the Walther factory. These fourth stage
pistols went through numerous design changes on the frame, slide and locking
block area to improve the producibility and lower the overall production cost of
these pistols. This fourth stage became the final production model that became
the standard P.38 production pistol which was used throughout WWII. These
Zero Series pistols are characterized by the “0” in front of the serial numbers, the
high-polish commercial blue finish, with commercial type slide markings on the
left side with the German Walther factory Waffenamt proofs on the right side.
The grips are black plastic/bakelite with checkered panels on both sides with a
rounded lanyard ring on the lower left side. The left side of the slide is marked
with the Walther Banner followed by “P.38” and the serial number, with a double
“Eagle/359” Walther factory proof along with a single “Eagle” firing proof. The various
parts all carry a small “Eagle/359” Walther proof with a matching serial number on
the front of the barrel lug, left side of the frame and left side of the slide. It is fitted
with a correct matching locking block that carries the last three digits “365” of the
serial number, along with a single “Eagle/359” Waffenamt on the right side. It is complete
with two wartime magazines with a single “P38v” located on the lower left side of the magazine body and an original 1941 dated P.38 holster that has a single “Eagle WaA760” Waffenamt on the back.
CONDITION: Excellent overall with 97% plus of the original pre-war blue finish with edge and high spot wear. There is some slight thinning and wear to the blue finish on the front grip strap. The backsides of the front and rear sight were painted at some point (which can be easily removed without damage to the blue), and the grips are also excellent with nice checkering on both sides. The holster is in very good plus condition with nice tight stitching overall, clear distinct markings on the back, and minor edge scuffing to the leather on the various high spots and the lower toe. An excellent example of a scarce Zero Series P.38 pistol.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 3574
Historic World War II Mauser “41/byf” P.08 Black Widow Luger Semi-
Automatic Pistol with Holster, Documented as the Captured Sidearm of
a German U-Boat Officer - Serial no. 9159q, 9 mm cal., 4 inch round bbl., blue
finish, plastic grips. Two pieces of documentation are included with this pistol.
The first is a 1949 British Columbia small arms registration form, identifying this
pistol by serial number (sans suffix, but otherwise matching) as a souvenir owned
by Theodore Allen Coney, then a logger in Port Alberni. The second piece is a
letter signed by Coney, where he relates the story of how he got the pistol. During
World War II, Coney was an Able Seaman aboard the HMCS Buckingham, a River-
class frigate with the Royal Canadian Navy. In May of 1945, along with the HMCS
Inch Arran, Buckingham was responsible for boarding and securing the submarine
U-889 off Newfoundland in preparation for their official surrender. Coney was one of
the boarders, tasked to neutralize the u-boat’s deck gun and discard their small arms.
During this process, he supplied an unnamed Kriegsmarine officer cigarettes and was
invited by the officer to retain his service Luger instead of tossing it overboard. Blade
front and notch rear sights, the “41” date on the chamber and “byf” factory code on
the front toggle link. “Eagle” firing proofs are present on the barrel, breech block and
extension, and the barrel and extension are also stamped with “eagle/655” proofs.
Full blue finish, with checkered “black widow” style grips. Two blued magazines
with alloy bases are included, one numbered to match (with “+” spare magazine
mark), and the other numbered to a different Luger. Includes a black leather holster
marked “DLU/1942” and “WaA641” on the back and a trimmed-down flap and
body. Comes with Michael Hadley’s “U-Boats against Canada”, a second BC small arms
registration form showing Theodore Allen Coney was still the owner of this pistol
in 1964, a partial original WWII period newspaper article reporting the capture of
U-889, and a November 1995 issue of “The Bulletin Chief & Petty Officers’ Association”
detailing the surrender of U-889. U-889 was eventually scuttled in late 1947 after the
U.S. Navy used it for torpedo trials off New England.
CONDITION: Fine, with 70% of the original blue finish, showing bright wear on the
edges and high points, scattered minor spotting, a mixed brown/gray patina on the grip straps, and mild handling marks. The grips are also fine, with some minor dings. The holster is modified, with mild scuffs and cracks. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
294
LOT 3575
World War
II German
Police “Eagle/F” Mauser Dual
Tone “byf/44” Code P.38 Semi-
Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 5092,
9 mm cal., 4 7/8 inch round bbl., blue/
phosphate finish, plastic grips. According to
P.38 expert and author Warren
Buxton, approximately 872
“eagle/F” police proofed P.38
pistols were manufactured. “Eagle/
WaA135” proofs are present with
commercial “eagle/N” proofs on
the slide and barrel lug and a police “eagle/F” proof on the right
side of the slide; this sort of part mixing is appropriate for police
P.38s. Matching numbers are present on the slide, frame, barrel and locking block, with the barrel and “jvd” magazine finished in blue, and the remainder of the pistol phosphate finished. A pair of black plastic grips are installed. CONDITION: Excellent, with 97% of the original phosphate finish, showing
some bright holster edge wear. The barrel and magazine show numerous light scattered specks of dark rust, with the barrel retaining 97% plus original blue and the magazine showing mild wear. The grips are excellent.
Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 3576
World War II
Mauser Banner
“1942” Dated
“Eagle/L” Police
Marked P.08
Luger Semi-
Automatic
Pistol Rig with
Matching Number
Holster - Serial no.
3666y, 9 mm cal., 4
inch round bbl., blue
finish, walnut grips.
Fixed sights, with the
“1942” date over the
chamber and the
Mauser “banner”
logo on the toggle.
A set of “eagle/N”
proofs are present
on the extension and
breechblock, and the
“eagle/swastika L” Police stamp is on the right side of the extension. The barrel has the alignment mark and “8,83” diameter measurement but is otherwise unmarked. The barrel, magazine and grips are unnumbered, with visible numbers matching. The extension, sideplate and sear have been configured to accept a sear safety, which has been removed. Fitted with a set of checkered grips and a blued magazine with a black plastic base. The extra earlier production replacement magazine is nickel finished with a mixed numbered wood base, and the takedown tool is gray finished with no visible markings. The brown leather police-style holster is numbered (3666) to match the pistol on the back, along with a “police eagle” stamp and “Kern Klager & Cie/1939/Berlin”. CONDITION: Excellent, with 95% of the original blue finish, showing some bright wear along the edges and mild handling marks. The grips are also excellent, with some dings and dark spots. The holster shows scuffing and scratches overall and some lost stitching on the hinge. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250