The following chart displays production information of Walther P.38 Pistols from 1939 through 1953. Note: This image and full size view are hosted on the P38 and PP-PPK Discussion Forums and Website. Click on the Image below for a full size view. Walther P38 Serial Number Lookup. Sorry to ressurect an old post but maybe nobody cares. Seems simple enough. I have an OSP Match with IH imported by interarms. If you go by this it was manufactured in 1987. This is very likely as I purchased it from Interarms while visiting that area in 1987. My GSP has an IE indicating it was manufactured in. Walther Models 1-9, PP, PPK, and P38 Pistol Identification Guide This is one of a series of identification guides for small arms produced by Walther. In 1910, Walther introduced the 'Deutche Selbstlade Pistole Walther' in 6.35mm. When the Model 2 was released in 1914, this pistol became known as the Model 1.
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MAUSER
In December of 1942 Mauser stopped production of the Luger pistol and started producing P.38's. This variation of pistols will have many parts marked e/135.
BYF 42 This gun was most likey produced in December of 1942 - 27
In January of 1943 many byf 42 slides and small e/135 stamped parts were used to complete accepted guns. The e/135 parts are harder to find for later manufactured pistols in 1943 with byf 42 slides. The general serial range with byf 42 slides is 1-4783a
BYF 42 - 795
Mauser continued to produce P.38's and did not adapt to starting serial numbers over again when the year changed. The first variation of these guns with byf 43 slides will be the same as guns with byf 42 slides but no e/135 parts. The serial number range is 4958a-2119f with 50,000 produced.
BYF 43 with GI capture papers and original holster - 7817a
BYF 43 with original holster - 7203d
BYF 43 with matched numbered mag done post war! no Mauser P.38's have numbered mags! - 8952f
In the June time frame of 1943 changes were made in the P.38 design and a 'hump' was added to reinforce the slide release and a single cut was put on the slide for the extractor. There is much overlap for this variation with left over parts used randomly until all the old parts were used up. Serial range is 5197f-1124q. 88,000 guns were made.
BYF 43 - late frame and early extractor cut - 173g
BYF 43 with original soft shell holster late frame and late extractor cut - 1523n
BYF 43 with original hard shell holster late frame and late extractor cut - 4682n
BYF 44 Two 1st variation serial number range 8563p-8190q. Limited production.
BYF 44 2nd variation serial number range 9964q-5280b. 120,000 produced
BYF 43 Serial number range 1172q-6469q. 5,000 produced with mixed WaA with holster and spare mag.
BYF 44 Serial number range 1172q-6469q. 5,000 produced with mixed WaA
BYF 44 with mixed stamps - 5456q
BYF 44 missing expection stamp on the frame, most likely a factory mistake - 2987s
BYF 44 'rig' in mint condition - 5441y
At the end of October 1944 Mauser started over with the no letter block series when the 'z' block was completed. Earlier guns will have a byf42 or byf 43 slide code.
BYF 44 with one acceptance stamp on slide - 3133c
BYF 44 3rd variation dual tone finish, several guns pictured. 30,000 produced
BYF 44 dual tone in mint condition - 9092d
Three BYF 44's with Browning FN slides
SVW45 German production slides begin in the early 'e' block and ends at 3000f with left over slides being used up in production.
BYF 44 'e' block gun with blue phosphated slide - 2616e
Blank FN Slide - Very rare pistol with no P.38 or manufacturer code on the slide - 3806e
SVW 45 dual tone serial - 632f
SVW 45 All Grey vet bringback from an estate - 2050f
Walther P38 Serial Number Lookup
SVW 45 All Grey with forced matched numbers no e/s or final acceptance most likely assembled quickly near the end of the war - 2511f
SVW 45 All Blue with vet bringback story written by the vet who was a pilot in WWII - 2567f
BYF 44 All Grey in SVW 45 serial number range 2663f
SVW 45 POST WAR FRENCH PRODUCTION FROM LEFT OVER PARTS and NEW PRODUCTION METAL GRIPS serial range 1g-3488k. 30,000 produced.
SVW 45 with left over Otto Single WWII grips formaly known as Polymid 6 material in the orignal box and paperwork - 2196g
SVW 45 with matched numbered mag - 7463i
SVW 45 with 7 small parts numbered to the gun, very rare - 8302i
SVW 46 POST WAR FRENCH PRODUCTION with NEW SLIDE CODE for 1946 PRODUCTION serial range 1073k-9911k. 8,000 produced
SVW 46 Two consecutive serial numbered guns, one import marked and the other not import marked - 5367k and 5368k
Walther P38 Serial Number History
SVW 46 POST WAR FRENCH LAST PRODUCTION ASSEMBLED IN FRANCE WITH NO FRENCH STAR serial range 1L-500L 500 produced
SVW 46 with Otto Single WWII grips formally classified as Polymid 6 material and Post War French Holster - 38L
SVW 46 with 7 small parts numbered to the gun, very rare - 277L
Walther Serial Number Chart
SVW 46 Last two guns ever assembled by the French 499L and 500L