This is an original, fine condition WWII Spreewerke “cyq” code P.38 that is all matching.  The serial number for this P.38 is 92 v. This particular Walther ac43 P.38 was manufactured in early October 1944.

There were three manufacturers of P.38s during WWII:  Walther, the original designer and manufacturer, Mauser, and Spreewerke.  Spreewerke was technically known as Spreewerke GmbH, Metallwarenfabrik, located in Berlin-Spandau, which was a suburb of Berlin.  Although the headquarters was in Berlin, the majority of P.38 production occurred at its factory in Hadrek and Nisu in occupied Czechoslovakia.

Spreewerke’s wartime code was “cyq,” which later changed to “cvq” at the end of the war. Spreewerke P.38 production is unique in that the year of manufacture was never stamped on the slide, which was done with Walther and Mauser production.  Spreewerke only manufactured about 285,000 P.38s from mid-1942 until April 1945, which was the smallest of the wartime manufacturers:  Walther produced approximately 583,000 pistols and Mauser produced approximately 369,000 pistols.

The Frame on this P.38 retains 98% of its wartime dull blued finish.  The left front of the Frame, above the trigger guard, has the full serial number “92 v” followed by the Spreewerke Waffenamt code, Eagle/88.  The Sear remains correctly in the white.  The slide stop return spring remains in the white.  There is an “89” assembly stamp above the slide stop return spring.  The Takedown Lever retains virtually all of its blued finish and operates smoothly.  The Trigger retains the majority of its blue finish.  The Trigger Spring remains in the white.  The Ejector, Safety Hammer Lowering Lever and Firing Pin Lock Lifter all retain the majority of their blued finish.  Both Recoil Spring Guides have worn down to the white.  Both Recoil Springs remain in the white.  The Lanyard Loop retains the majority of its blued finish with wear on the outer edge of the loop.

The Front Grip Strap retains the majority of its blued finish with very minor wear noted on the left and right edges and it has thinned to a blued and pewter patina.  The Trigger Guard Bow retains the majority of its blued finish that has also thinned on the outer surface.  The interior walls of the magazine well retain the majority of their blued finish with minor operational wear noted.

The Hammer Strut retains the majority of its blued finish.  The Hammer Spring remains in the white and has 18 coils.  The Magazine Catch retains 98% of its blued finish with wear noted on the front face where it rubs against the magazine.  The Hammer retains considerable blued finish with wear noted on the striking face and the friction points on the sides.  The Trigger Bar retains the majority of its blued finish.  The Trigger Bar Spring remains in the white and has three full coils.

The Slide retains 95% plus of its dull military blue finish. The left side of the Slide has the "P.38" model stamp forward on the center line, followed by the lower case “cyq” Spreewerke code, followed by the full serial number “92 V.”  The exterior portion of the Safety retains the majority of its blued finish with some thinning on the thumb ridges.  The “F” fire indicator still has all of the original red paint, and the “S” safe indicator still has all of its original, slightly yellowed, white paint.

The Right Side of the Frame has the correct Spreewerke Waffenamts, Eagle/88, on either side of the Nazi Military Acceptance Stamp. The Right Side of the Slide retains the majority of its dull military blue finish.  The top of the Firing Pin & Indicator Cover retains the majority of its blued finish.

The Rear Sight exhibits a slight color case-hardened finish with wear on the sharp edges.  The Breech Face retains the majority of its blued finish.  The Extractor retains considerable blued finish with wear noted on the sharp edges.  The front portion of the Cartridge Indicator Pin retains considerable blued finish on the top with wear on the front and bottom edges.  The rear, exposed portion of the Firing Pin retains considerable blue finish with an impact mark and wear noted where it is struck by the hammer. 

The Barrel retains 98% plus of its dull military blue finish with wear noted at the muzzle.  There are, correctly, milling marks on the barrel, which are characteristic of Spreewerke manufacture.  The front of the Barrel has the full matching serial number “317/b.” The Front Sight Post is correctly pinned at the front, which is slightly offset to the left.  The bore has strong rifling and a mirror finish with light frosting on the lands.

The front left lug has the Spreewerke Waffenamt Eagle/88 and “cyq” code stamp with the Nazi Military Acceptance Stamp (eagle over swastika) on the left rear lug.  The Locking Block Retainer Spring retains a fire tempered blue finish.  The Locking Block Operating Pin is blued, and exhibits wear on the front and rear portions.   The right, front lug has an asterisk stamp and an “Re” stamp.  The bore is clean with a mirror finish and strong rifling present. The Locking Block is matching with the full serial number “92/V” on the bottom.  The left side of the Locking Block has the inverted Spreewerke Waffenamt Eagle/88 stamp, and the right side has the inverted Nazi Military Acceptance Stamp. The locking block has a faded blued finish, which is commonly seen on Spreewerke P.38 Pistols.

The original dark chocolate brownish/black phenolic resin or bakelite grip panels are present and they are correctly manufactured by Julius Posselt.  The interior of both grip panels has the correct circle “MD” stamp with “1W” at the top and “41” at the bottom of the circle.  The “MD” is the mark of the State Material Supervising and Testing Bureau in Dahlem, Germany, the “1W” is the code for Julius Posselt, and the “41” is the color of the bakelite, which is grey to black. 

The bottom of the right grip panel has the mold number in a circle “10.”  The bottom number “10” is the placement of the mold in the die.  The bottom of the left grip panel has the mold number “2” in a circle, which is the same composition as the right panel except the mold number “2” indicating its position in the die.   Both grip panels have the correct third, centered circle that is empty in the center.  The exterior surfaces of both grip panels exhibit very minor wear, and there are no cracks or chips noted in either panel.  The Grip Screw’s single-slot is unmarred and retains the majority of its blued finish.

This P.38 comes with an original Spreewerke P.38 Magazine that is correctly marked only with the Spreewerke Waffenamt “e/88” stamp on the spine.  The Magazine retains approximately 95% of its blue finish with wear noted along the front fold and on the sharp edges.  The Follower retains the majority of its blued finish with a faint centerline wear mark from brass cases.  The Follower Spring remains in the white.  The Floor Plate retains the majority of its blued finish with wear noted around the edges and at the rear where it catches the catch on the pistol. 

This pistol comes with a fine condition WWII P.38 leather soft-shell Holster.  The holster is black leather and retains all of its original stitching.  There is what appears to be the original soldier’s name in ink under the closure flap.  The back of the holster is marked “P38” in large letters and, between the belt loops, it has the Nazi eagle over “WaA23” stamp, which is the Waffenamt for Hans Rumer, Fabrik fur Heeresausrustung at Neu-Ulm, Donau, who manufactured P.38 holsters from 1942 to 1944.  Below the Waffenamt is the “bml/44” stamp, which is the wartime code for Hans Rumer’s factory and the year of manufacture 1944.