Making sense of post war walther p38 serial numbers

If you're trying to track down the history of your handgun, looking at post war walther p38 serial numbers is the best place to start. It's a bit of a rabbit hole, honestly. Unlike the wartime production where everything was documented under the stress of a global conflict, the post-war era brought in new factories, new branding, and a confusing overlap between military and civilian models. If you've ever looked at the side of a Walther and wondered why it says "P1" instead of "P38," or why there's a random tiny antler stamped near the trigger, you aren't alone. ...

April 30, 2026 · 6 min · Lipson Conway