Besides the 1911A1, the P38 has to be my favorite handgun. I've always loved the style and look of the gun.

This is a great program. Tom knows his guns! Excelent!

I just picked up a 480 code p38!! Very beautiful pistol. Beautiful finish and smoothest action ive ever felt

Thank you for making the p-38 return to the family. You truly are an outstanding gentleman thank you

The de cocker on my byf 42 does still work. Now I know it’s a bonus

Another great video! Thanks for pulling those P.38's out of the safe and showing them to us!!

I’ve got a P38 in 7.65mm Parabellum - it is too beautiful for words, for sure. It was made in the ‘70s though

very cool.....Walther PPK in 7.65 from Germany is my favorite. the wooden grip P.38 is amazing

great video thank you very much for going over the evolution of the p38. I learned alot!

How nice to hear your followup on the Kenneth Price P38. I imagine seeing it returned to his family left you with a warm, satisfied, mission accomplished feeling of joy that I cannot help but share with you vicariously. Thanks!

I really enjoy your reviews, keep up the great work! Thanks from Canada.

Nice too see you all🌹👍🏻

I recall seeing the .30 Luger / 7.65MM P-38 being offered in a Shotgun News add back circa 1976. Wanted it, but could not afford it at the time. Darn!

THE one with wood grips looks really cool !

@darkiee69

4 жыл бұрын

Looks like a competition gun. That would explain the single action and painted sights too.

Greeting from Singapore. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. The video is well made, straight to the point and very informative.

The last P38 is a marksman pistol with an anatomical wooden grip for target shooting.

At 3:00 or so: PP &PPK are single / double action. Decocking / safe lever next shot DA.

Superb, as ever! Thank you.

lovely stuff tom stay safe

I really love the P38. Something about it just scratches the same itch as a BMW, or a Rolex Submariner. Somewhat understated, in the sense that it's not super flashy at first glance and people that aren't into cars/guns/watches might not really get the appeal when they see it. Those that get it, know it's super cool though. The coolest.

Thank you Tom.

The elegant wooden grips are something else.....

Enjoyed the presentation Thank you very much!

Wait. Let me get my P38.......... Now Im ready. Thanks Legacy collectibles !!

Another good one. Actually they all are!One of those channels where I hit the thumbs up before I even start watching the program.

I had to pause this and go to the safe. I have a Spreewerke P38 and the decocker werkes! Thanks for the video. My pistol collection includes and all matching bring back P-08, a C-96 Red Nine and a new Walther PPK/S.

Nice too see you again 2022.

Very Informative video Tom! I will have to get my P38 out of the safe and check what variation I have from the info on your video. On you slave labor video I learned a lot I didn't know about my 9mm P35 Radom pistol (My favorite WWII pistol). I also found a holster and extra mag that go with it that I forgot I had! Thanks again Tom, I love your content!

Used to have 2. Both were west german police. Both really good pistols.. Great videos.. Love this channel...

No Tom, you're wrong. The P 38 was officially adopted by the German military in 1938, hence, Pistol 1938 or P 38. It was not patented in 1938. The pistol had been in development with Walther for some years prior to 1938.

GREAT VID, thanks!🍸

Great video as always. I have been avoiding these for a long time as the PP's and PPK's keep me broke but I guess I am going to have to start looking for one.

It's interesting that my Beretta 51 and 92 are kinda product improved p38s.

Thank you for making your videos. This information is very interesting to me. I remember as a boy in the early 1960's going to the Smithsonian Institute military firearms museum. The military firearms were intoxicating to me. I have a modest collection now that would of made that boy be in awe. Just for your amusement, when one of my ex-girlfriends saw my collection for the first time; it stressed her out so much she had to sit down and calm her nerves. She told me your are definitely a man that needs to be put on an allowance.

@thomaswhiteman4261

4 жыл бұрын

Great story. Thanks

Tom please do a video on the various grip colors. Can just see the beautiful gradient of them all making an amazing thumbnail! Hope you are staying safe!

@thomaswhiteman4261

4 жыл бұрын

Good idea

@thomaswhiteman4261

4 жыл бұрын

Good idea. Thanks for watching

super video i got walther hp 30 numbers from yours best regards from sweden

Pretty informative along with even prettier guns.

Thank you!!!

Hi !!! 1000 thanks for this video! I am in a country where no one (or almost ) is allowed to own a 9 milimiters gun. but as I love firearms and as i was in the Army here long ago, I could see and feel some post-war p-38s as they were the service pistol since around 1961 untill some years ago. I knew there was P-38s in 7,65mms round. (.30 luger for you ) The .30 Luger or 7, 65mms Parabellum round has nothing to do with the .32acp round, or, for us the 7,65mms. This round ( the .30 Luger, or 7,65mms parabellum ) was the round that the firsts Luger fired. As they had a lack of stopping power for military use Mr. Georg Luger developed the 9X19mms Parabellum. The rim area of both cartridges is the same size, and that is not an empty coincidence. It is said, the .30 Luger was a very precise shoot. I do not know. Here we had Lugers in both calibers. Most of the users of the first ones are long gone. Some of the 9mms users are about too. P-38s users are still many around here. So the appearence of thr .30 Luger ammo, was an invention on Mr Georg Luger, when he redesigned the Borchardt pistol wich became the first model of the Luger. Here at this place the olders who knew the Lugers at the armed forces here, only knew these pistols by the name Parabellum, wich in latin means : for war... The reason for such name is no secret. But I bothered you all too much.... Thanks again for this video, and thanks to all that read me. I do not know everything, but I love to share the little I learned and still do...

Great vid

There is a gun book entitled GUNS OF THE WORLD wherein a whole chapter is devoted to a very interesting variant of the P-38 called " the Gray Ghost". It was a cargo of P-38s for delivery by a U-BOAT that was sunk at the height of WWll but salvaged after the war. The P-38s have turned Gray in color finish due to its eventual immersion to the Oil leaks inside the Submarine but otherwise in very good condition. Collectors have referred to these as the GRAY GHOST P-38s the same manner a variation of the P-08 Lugers have been sorted out as the BLACK WIDOW. Hopefully, Legacy Collection will come across to one of these P-38s with an intriguing background. As an aside, The CYQ Code P-38s were described as having been produced from a damaged die, hence, the poorer quality of finish.

Thank you so much for this video. Did you ever take the grips off of the 30 caliber p38 and look at the inner side? I am curious what markings are molded in the four circles.

You should contact the Walther factory in Ulm. Perhaps they could shed some light on who they were made for and why.

AFAIK, the stamp "ac" on the pistol parts identifies them as been manufactured in the Walther weapon factory in Zella-Mehlis, which is a town in the south of Thuringia. And as the history tells us, the south of Thuringia (Suhl, Zella-Mehlis...) has been a well known armory starting right before medieval times. In these times and after - when ever and what ever weapon you wanted to buy - you could get it there. Even nowadays, there are many manufacturers that are well known for their hight quality hunting weaponry.

Great video as always Tom! Yes, it's great that the veteran's family acquired the P38 again. On another note, I always thought that Spreewerk (cyq) was located in Berlin as the Spree River is there as well. You mentioned the Spreewerk Factory was located in Czechoslovakia. Thank you for pointing this out as I did not know that .

@albundy2696

4 жыл бұрын

Wrong, my Mother assebled this Model P 38, in Spree Werke Grottau/ Neiße, Tschechoslovakia.. Gesetzte Markierung 463 34 Grottau, Tschechien. goo.gl/maps/7skrwoU1fWM8uvfL8

@frenchfan3368

4 жыл бұрын

@@albundy2696 What do you mean by "wrong?" I didn't say Tom was wrong. I just said that I did not know that the Spree Werke Factory (cyq) was actually in the Czech Republic (formerly called Czechoslovakia). I had thought before his video that it was in Berlin. I learned something.

Megatron....is that you???? haha :) I still have my toy from the 80s and would love to own a real one in the future.

Hello, Walther also made the pistols for the commercial market because the officers of the Wehrmacht and police had to buy their pistols themselves. Most of them were of course .32 pistols, but of course some also wanted 9mm pistols. Greetings from Germany

I just watched this again and as a gun builder (flintlocks) here's what I think. The shape of the wooden grips looks like what you might find on a target model and the caliber marking looks hand engraved. After learning how to hand engrave out of need, its easier to spot a hand engraved part. They may look good, but there's always gonna be slight imperfections. That's my informed opinion, take it as you will. Thanx

..as a word of caution, due to the deteriorating phase in production of the P-38 as the war progressed, Cases of it's hammer decocking feature have been known to fail and would fire on a live chambered round... I have witnessed these on two occasions at the range

Very interesting video - thanks, I learn something every day ! One question for you - the top of the trigger guards, across all factories and production years seems to vary in shape - some are straight, some are rounded very slightly. Do you know the reasoning for this ? Is there any logic behind this difference ? The slide hold-back lever with a folded thumb press rather than being milled, on later production runs, is much more understandable but the rounded top inside the trigger guard has always baffled me. Best wishes from the UK

It seems that the de-cockers are positioned midway between safe and fire on your guns and in your photos, is there a reason for this? Do they break or jam or is it just something you do for no particular reason? I love watching these as being a Brit I would never see one of these outside of a glass case in a few select museums, keep them coming and stay safe with this coronavirus everyone.

Great video! The german engeneers really believed that pistols had a good role in warfare.

I think that the one whit wooden grips is marksmen's model SA only colord shaits for easy shaithings thumb rest

I like the looks of the luger better than the P38. Nice looking p-38s though

I have a Spreewerk that's about 97%. Its a very nice August 1944 production with all matching numbers, just wondering about an approximate value. The only negative is there is a very faint import mark where the web of your hand touches just under the beaver tail.

Those are nice collectibles, once in a while U see them on Gun broker. Several countries used the .30 Luger cartridge, I've never understood why because the 9 mm is a much better round. The Swiss used it because when they adopted the Luger the 9 mm round hadn't been developed yet!

What about the 5.6mm (.22) P.38? Thank you, and congratulation for the wonderful job you're doing.

2:23 a fitting serial number for a Nazi gun. For the .30 Luger P38s, I've got one hypothesis (but it's only based on a hunch) ; they could have been intended for export to Switzerland. 7.65mm Parabellum was then the pistol ordnance ammunition in parallel with the obsolete 8mm Swiss, and there was a significant market for both administrations and citizens.

@thomaswhiteman4261

4 жыл бұрын

Makes sense

@michaelibey6700

4 жыл бұрын

U are correct, also I believe Sweden tried a few.

Man oh man. Another terrific educational video. Curios, how did they identify the magazines on the 7.65mm P38s? ...I do have a birthday in June. 25%of for birthday month yes? ;-)

@redcat9436

4 жыл бұрын

On the post-WWII magazines they're stamped "cal. 7.65mm Para" but they're dimensionally identical and interchangable with the magazines marked 9mm.

Like no 288 from Jakarta Indonesia.

Was killed when headed from from wanenmachers? It wasn't this year right? I was told that wanenmachers was cancelled to due code word "beer" Also congrats on returning the P.38 to the veterans family. Hopefully it will now sit as a priceless family heirloom.

@RayW808

4 жыл бұрын

Apparently it happened in 2016 p38forum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=242056#post242056

I have a p-38 [ not a p-1 ] marked alum. frame . west german marked .9mm . outstanding deep blueing / sort of black .made ... but nose light so its hard to shoot well ..

PP and PPK's are double action not single action.

@redcat9436

4 жыл бұрын

That's 99.9% correct. But there is a version of the PP Sport that is SAO.

@billbraun6846

4 жыл бұрын

@@redcat9436 Thanks, I never knew that. Why was the PP Sport made in single action only?

@redcat9436

4 жыл бұрын

@@billbraun6846 The PP Sport was for competition. The version that's SAO has a nicer trigger than on a standard PP. But not every Sport is SAO. Most are DA/SA. I've got one of each.

The top was not shiny, because they'd be spending extra polishing and griding dollars just to light up the user's face in light or even moon light.

you didnt talk about the p1 version, i would like to know more about them. I have one

@thomaswhiteman4261

4 жыл бұрын

The P1 is post war. My collecting interests stop at 1945. But I understand the P1 is a very reliable weapon

@philippjacobsohn1886

4 жыл бұрын

The P1 is the variant that has been adopted by German army after WW2. The major difference between P38 and P1 is the frame. P38 = steel frame, P1 = alloy frame.

Most non shooters associate this gun with video games, I associate it with punk rock, notably Black Flag.

It’d be interesting to hear your thoughts on Russian captures and the dipping, and buffing to conceal, that occurred.

@thomaswhiteman4261

4 жыл бұрын

Good idea. Will do at some point

Can you use a 9mm ammo in a 7.65mm P38? It's so hard to get a .30cal. ammo

I'm just wonder why the safety lever on Your films is between S and F position?

@blatherskite9601

4 жыл бұрын

#me too

@thomaswhiteman4261

4 жыл бұрын

People like to see the paint to make sure the gun is not refinished.

@hhhhhh5398

4 жыл бұрын

@@thomaswhiteman4261 Thanks ! :)

gracias, tengo una P1 en 22lr., ¿que tan rara es?

Lupin The Third

.30 Luger = 7.65 Parabellum

I recently picked up a Mauser made and Waffenampt stamped (matching #’s) P38 with holster and two mags for $700. I cannot seem to post a photo but decocker side of the weapon n, on the frame just rearward of the slide release, is a “cursive” type “O”. Anyone know what that designates?

@thomaswhiteman4261

4 жыл бұрын

Sounds like a bargain

@jeffheld3971

4 жыл бұрын

Thomas Whiteman it was a gun auction believe it or not.

The Swedish Military ordered this pistol called model 39 pistol in Sweden not the police

I have a ac-.40 with matching clip and grips in excellent condition.

Didn't they produce the P-38 in France as well??

@thomaswhiteman4261

3 жыл бұрын

Only AFTER the war. I think they were made in the early 1950's

Please answer so I could get it right. It is about AC guns. Let's say it is January 1941 today. So they produce guns with serial numbers from 0 to 10 000 WITHOUT suffix letter? And in February 1941 they produce serial numbers from 0 to 10 000 WITH suffix "a"? And in March 1941 they produce serial numbers from 0 to 10 000 with suffix "b".... and in December the suffix is "k"? And in January 1942 they produce serial numbers from 0 to 10 000 WITHOUT suffix letter, and in February 1942 the suffix is "a" and so on, exactly like during 1941? And 1943 looks the same? Or was it some other way?

@thomaswhiteman4261

2 жыл бұрын

That is generally correct. However, not every month did they make 10,000 so there is some variation and complication, but generally yes, you are correct. Mauser numbering was different as was Spreewerke

@morriszachrisson8359

2 жыл бұрын

@@thomaswhiteman4261 Thank you! So even if some particular month had less than 10 000, Januaries were always free from the suffix, and all Februaries started with "a" and Marches with "b" and so on when we talk about AC guns?

Wonderful Video, keep um cumming. One day I will be purchasing some of theses beautiful Firearms

Why is it in long arms 30 cal becomes 7.62?

@robertdeen8741

4 жыл бұрын

So why is the 30 cal pistol 7.65?

it seriously took someone to suggest that the dull top is for reduced glare for you to realize that?

Can they fire the 'Tok' round?

@thomaswhiteman4261

4 жыл бұрын

I think NOT

@sorenlilienthal1368

2 жыл бұрын

@@thomaswhiteman4261 Definitely not!!! .30 Luger is 7.65 x 21,5 mm. .30 Mauser/7.63 x 25 mm can interchange with 7.62 Tokarev/7.62 x 25 mm

I think that this presentation contains some misleading information:. At 2:49 you are mentioning that both PP & PPK are SA pistols. As a matter of fact, that is not correct. They are SA/DA guns. At 3:45 and 13:29 you are talking about the decocker but you're working on the safety. It even says "F" for "Feuer" in German ("Fire") and "S" for "Sicher" ("Safe"). I am not an expert on Walther pistols. But I believe that the safety is not supposed to work as a decocker and you should not expect the gun safety working as it.

@sorenlilienthal1368

2 жыл бұрын

The safety was constructed to decock the hammer, but it should not be used in this manner, without holding the hammer with your thumb and let it ease on the firing pin. The safety just locks the firing pin and lets the hammer drop on its end with full force. Repeated blows on the firing pin let it crystallize, until it becomes brittle and can break. Later generations of Walther pistols (P88, P4, P5) had a tilted firing pin to remedy this issue. The firing pin on these pistols is lifted by the trigger into the firing position in DA and SA mode, resulting in a relatively heavy trigger pull.

I bought an almost unshot postwar P1 for 250€. And bought unused magazines for it for 8€a piece. I think I did well.

@thomaswhiteman4261

4 жыл бұрын

I think you did very well. Stay safe

👍🇳🇴

What can be the value of a P.38 AC 43 in 9 mm with the eagle and swastika and in perfect condition ?

@ignacioanaya3403

2 жыл бұрын

I just found they cost just around 1000 dlls

@thomaswhiteman4261

2 жыл бұрын

If you mean the party leader eagle on the grip - they are all fake. I see them for sale at about 50 bucks.

At 10:02 the gay with mustash holdind a P 38 behind a track. THIS IS FROM A SOVIET MOVIE!!! ;)

🤘😷 🤠🤠🤠🤠🤠🤠🤠🤠🤠🤘😷

Tom just btfo’d the pro-glove community. 🤣

Walther P38 HP, (Herr Pistole.)

@loyp4328

4 жыл бұрын

Mister Pistol :-)

@luisantolafrancis519

4 жыл бұрын

@@loyp4328 Herr - Sr (Sir) Míster Pistol sounds porno movie. Cheers!

@sorenlilienthal1368

2 жыл бұрын

Actually, it stands for "Heeres Pistole" = Army Pistol

Ahem. "Walther" in German sounds like "Valter" in English. Over and over again. Undsoweiter. And it is not pronounced "Spreewerk." It is pronounced "Sprayverk."

What about the Walther 5.6mm (.22) P.38? Thank you, and congratulation for the wonderful job you're doing.