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LOT 3352
Wartime Commercial Walther HP
Semi-Automatic Pistol with Matching
Numbered 7.65mm and 9mm Barrels,
Factory Box and Holster - Serial no.
2957, 9 mm cal., 4 7/8 inch round bbl., blue
finish. This is a rare example of a Commercial
production Walther Model HP pistol that was
manufactured in the third developmental
stage of production, around September of
1940. In the book “The P38 Pistol, Volume One”
by Warren Buxton, on page 118, it is estimated
that approximately 145 were produced, with
only “12” examples documented at time of
publication. It is further noted that this range
was the only known time the HP went into full,
albeit limited production, with other examples
chiefly being special orders. These early Walther HP
commercials are very rare as so few were produced with
most seeing use during the war and/or refinished/altered
after the war. The left side of the slide is marked with the
Walther banner followed by the two-line factory legend,
caliber and “Mod. HP”; the caliber marking is “9 m/m”,
suggesting an error at the factory or an early production
model before the 7.65mm dies were in place (this example
is 6 digits behind the reported start of production). Two
barrels are included, one in 9mm with a small locking block
piston and the other in 7.65mm with the less common
enlarged piston, though both are matching numbered on
the front of the barrel lug and the underside of the locking
block, and both bearing “eagle/N” proofs on the right side
of the lug. Additional matching numbers are present on
the interior of the slide and the right side of the frame. A
fine Walther “wood grain” box is included, with a hand-
numbered matching label on one end of the lid, containing
a cleaning rod and a “Walther” banner marked storage tin, as well as a police- style brown leather holster with ink-stamped Stockholm merchant mark inside the flap.
CONDITION: Very fine, with 80% plus original blue finish, showing bright
edge wear, areas of gray patina, and mild handling marks. A bit less wear
and handling is visible on the 7.65mm barrel. The fine grips show some light
scuffs and dings, with the checkering otherwise sharp. Both the box and holster show wear and staining appropriate to age, the former with some torn edges and the latter with some loose stitching and cracking of the hinge. Mechanically excellent with both barrels. Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
LOT 3353
Swiss Waffenfabrik Bern Model 1906/24 Luger Semi-
Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 18397, 7.65 mm Luger Auto cal., 4 3/4 inch round bbl., blue/straw
finish, walnut grips. This is one of 17,874 Model 1906 pistols manufactured by Waffenfabrik Bern
due to DWM being unable to fulfill Swiss orders after the outbreak of World War I. The front toggle
link is marked “+/WAFFENFABRIK/BERN”, “+/M” inspector Muhlemann proof on the left of the barrel
extension, and “+” stamps on various other components. The left frame rail is stamped “P 60”, indicating that the pistol was privately sold out of government stores in 1960. The left side of the extractor is marked “GELADEN” and
the lower thumb safety area is polished. Visible numbers are matching throughout, including on the inside of each grip and the left side of the grip safety under the grip. It is fitted with blade and V-notch sights, original flat checkered grips with non-checkered borders, and a correct pattern nickeled magazine with hardwood base that is correctly not numbered or proofed. Includes a walnut stand.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 95% plus of the arsenal refurbished
blue finish and 90% plus of the straw colors with some light high spot/edge
wear and a few scattered light handling marks. The grips are also excellent
with a minor flat spot in the checkering of the left panel and otherwise crisp
checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Klaus Meyer Collection.
Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
LOT 3354
Excellent and
Rare Early World
War II Production
German Military Walther “480”
Code P.38 Semi-Automatic Pistol with
Matching Magazine - Serial no. 1469, 9 mm
para cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, plastic
grips. Produced in 1940, the “480” code Walther P.38
pistols represent the first true military contract P.38s,
showing an attractive commercial grade high polish blue finish not
seen on later issue guns. Fixed sights, with the left side of the slide
marked “P.38 480”, followed by the serial number and the right side has
the “eagle/swastika” and “eagle/359” stamps. The “480” code is repeated
on the left side of the trigger guard, with “eagle/359” proofs on several
components and matching numbers on the frame, barrel, locking
block and both of the ribbed, “eagle/359” proofed black grip panels. The magazine
is matching numbered to the gun and also has “eagle/359” proofs.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 90% plus of the original commercial grade high polish blue finish with the balance having thinned to a smooth grey patina, primarily on edges, and a very small light patch of surface pitting on the left at the muzzle. The grips are excellent, showing an attractive dark chocolate hue with minimal handling evidence. Mechanically excellent. One will look a long time to find another example!
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
LOT 3355
Exceptionally
Fine DWM Model
1906 Commercial American Eagle Luger
Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no.
36314, 7.65 mm Luger Auto cal., 4 3/4
inch round bbl., blue/straw finish,
walnut grips. This is an example of
one of only approximately 7,500-
8,500 Model 1906 Commercial
American Eagle Luger pistols
chambered in 7.65 mm Luger
Auto that were manufactured by
DWM. These pistols were made
explicitly for export to the United
States and were sold in sporting
goods stores and catalogues throughout the
country. The Model 1906 was a culmination of
improvements made on the
Model 1900, with this example
showing that refinement in
its solid checkered toggle,
coiled recoil spring, and more
durable extractor. The chamber
is marked with the iconic American eagle crest, the DWM monogram on the toggle, and “GERMANY” export mark on the front of the frame. The pistol is numbered in the typical commercial style with all matching visible numbers. Though it is numbered in the typical commercial style, it lacks the commercial proofs typically seen on these pistols, with this example having only a faint DWM barrel proof on the bottom of the barrel over the serial number. The extractor is marked “LOADED” and the lower safety position is polished. It is finished in a high polish blue with most of the small parts straw colored. It is fitted with blade front and notch rear sights, fully checkered walnut grips, grip safety, and a wood base magazine marked “H” on the bottom rear. Includes a walnut stand.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 90% plus of the slightly faded original blue finish and 60% of the original straw colors with the balance having thinned to a smooth grey patina, primarily on edges and the back strap, and a few scattered spots of very light surface pitting. The grips are excellent with a couple scattered very light blemishes and otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Klaus Meyer Collection.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
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