![]() ![]() So every month started with a higher suffix letter. The goal of every P38 manufacturer was to produce 10.000 P38 pistols every month. From this combination it is easy to determine the production date of the pistol. #Walther p38 serial numbers lookup serial number#The combination of year + serial number + suffix (or no suffix for the first 10,000 pistols) is unique for every pistol. For example: The 25,000th pistol produced in a certain year had serial number 5000b,and the 35,000th pistol produced had serial number 5000c. The first 10,000 pistols produced at the start of the year had no suffix letter. At the beginning of a new year, both the serial numbers and suffix letters again started over. The letter went up one character each time the serial number once more started at 1. To ensure that every pistol had a unique serial number, the Germans added a suffix letter. The firm started over at 1 when the number 10,000 was reached. Walther used serial numbers ranging from 1 to 10,000. Most of the serial numbers also have a suffix letter. There are periods were ac + production year were stamped next to eachother and periods where this combination was stacked. #Walther p38 serial numbers lookup code#In addition to the secret code the last two digits of the year of production were also stamped on the slide. This new code was ac and was introduced in august 1940. Other places not necessarily so at times.Īnd to make it more confusing, there always seems to be a way of beating the system and getting around it for the chosen few.The secret code 480 for the Walther factory was already abandoned after two months use and replaced by a new code. ![]() ![]() So what you have is a difference in firearms laws, difference in what is the 'controlled part' of the gun. Sending the frames over was no problem, those were not considered a firearm there at the time (1990's). I've dealt with exports/imports of gun parts to Italy re:engraving and they did not want to deal with the Bbl of the guns (shotguns in this instance) as those were the controlled part in Italy and would require import/export permits & extra paperwork. I have been told that the 'frame' is not the 'firearm' in many European countrys unlike here in the USA where a stripped frame alone is considered a firearm and needs a ser#. I logged it as such and kept a copy of the letter with my records. But with the letter and the pistol (in perfect condition) and being purchased thru a well known FFL, I felt assured, I purchased it on my 01FFL. It never addressed the serial# not being on the frame issue that we as FFL's immediately focus in on. That letter on US State Dept/Foreign Services letterhead addressed the particular pistol and the Diplomatic route it had been brought legally into the USA bypassing normal importation. There was a separate letter included with the pistol and it's accessorys. Only the Bbl and slide had the ser# stamped on it and those #'s matched each other and that of the paperwork included and of the ser# on the Walther factory box. ![]() There was NO factory ser# imprinted on the pistol's frame. I had a post war mfg Walther P38 in 9mm, with the orig box and papers and target. ![]()
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