Walther P38
Carl Walther GmbH Sportwaffen · Pistol · Discontinued · 1938
Also known as: Pistole 38, P1, P4, Heeres-Pistole, HP, Pistol m/39
Overview
The Walther P38 is a 9x19mm Parabellum semi-automatic pistol developed by Carl Walther GmbH as the replacement for the costly and complex Luger P08 as the standard service pistol of the German Wehrmacht. Adopted in 1938 and entering mass production in 1940, it was the first locked-breech pistol to feature a double-action/single-action trigger mechanism, a pivoting locking block short-recoil operating system, an external hammer decocking lever, and a loaded chamber indicator -- innovations that fundamentally influenced post-war pistol design worldwide. The P38's distinctive open-top slide, exposed barrel, and wedge-shaped locking block became hallmarks of the design. Approximately 1.2 million P38s were manufactured during World War II by Walther (Zella-Mehlis), Mauser (Oberndorf), and Spreewerk (Grottau). After the war, production resumed at the new Walther factory in Ulm for the West German Bundeswehr, where the aluminum-framed P1 variant served as the standard sidearm from 1957 until replacement by the Heckler & Koch P8 (USP) beginning in the 1990s, with final retirement in 2004.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 840 g (29.6 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 1030 g (36.3 oz) |
| Overall Length | 216 mm (8.50") |
| Barrel Length | 125 mm (4.92") |
| Height | 136 mm (5.35") |
| Width | 36 mm (1.42") |
| Sight Radius | 181 mm (7.13") |
| Action Type | Short Recoil |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Da Sa |
| Magazine Capacity | 8 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 350 m/s (1148 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 456 J (336 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 50 m (55 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1800 m (1968 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 254 mm (10.00") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 9x19mm Parabellum · primary · 9mm NATO — also known as 9mm Luger, 9mm NATO, 9x19mm
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Decocking Lever, Loaded Chamber Indicator, Firing Pin Block
- Features: Open Top Slide, Locking Block Mechanism, External Hammer, Exposed Barrel, Blade Front Sight, U Notch Rear Sight, Bakelite Grips, Lanyard Loop
Variants
- Walther HP (Heeres-Pistole) — Pre War Commercial
- Walther P38 (ac code) — Wartime Production
- Mauser P38 (byf code) — Wartime Production
- Spreewerk P38 (cyq code) — Wartime Production
- Walther P1 — Post War Military
- Walther P4 — Compact Police
- Walther P38K — Compact
Service history
Operators
- Wehrmacht (Nazi Germany) · adopted 1938 · as Pistole 38
- West German Bundeswehr · adopted 1957 · as P1
- West German Bundesgrenzschutz · adopted 1975 · as P4
- Swedish Armed Forces · adopted 1939 · as Pistol m/39
- Norwegian Armed Forces · as P38
- Portuguese Army · as P38
- Austrian Federal Army
- Finnish Defence Forces · as P1
- French Armed Forces
- Italian Armed Forces
- South African National Defence Force
- Royal Thai Police · as Type 96 Pistol
- British South Africa Police (Rhodesia)
- U.S. Army Special Forces (Detachment 'A', Berlin)
- Pakistani Armed Forces
Conflicts
- World War II (1939-1945)
- Portuguese Colonial Wars (1961-1974)
Production
Estimated total produced: 1,277,680 · Production years: 1938-2000
WWII production: 617,585 by Walther, 372,875 by Mauser, 287,220 by Spreewerk. Post-war P1/P4 production at the Ulm factory continued until 2000.
Origin
Country of origin: Germany
Designer: Fritz Walther
Discontinued: 2000
Notes
The P38 replaced the Luger P08, which was accurate and iconic but expensive and time-consuming to manufacture. Germany began seeking a replacement as early as 1927. The initial development produced the Walther HP (Heeres-Pistole) commercial model from 1939, with about 25,000 produced. WWII production totaled 1,277,680 pistols: 617,585 by Walther (factory code 'ac'), 372,875 by Mauser ('byf'/'svw'), and 287,220 by Spreewerk ('cyq'). The P38's locking block system, DA/SA trigger, and decocking mechanism directly influenced the Beretta 92 series and many other modern service pistols. The post-war P1 variant adopted an aluminum alloy frame to reduce weight from 840g to 770g. The P4 police variant featured a shortened barrel (104mm) and decock-only lever. Swedish military adopted the HP variant as 'Pistol m/39' in 1939. The Portuguese Army used the P38 until 2019, making it one of the longest-serving P38 operators.
Background
The P38 was the world's first locked-breech military pistol with a double-action/single-action trigger, a decocking lever, and a loaded chamber indicator -- innovations that defined service pistol design for the next 80 years. The Beretta 92 series, which became the US military's M9, directly borrowed the P38's locking block mechanism and DA/SA concept. Portugal's army used the P38 until 2019, making it one of the longest-serving military sidearms in history.