The P38 concept was accepted by the German military in 1938 but production of prototype ('Test') pistols did not begin until late 1939. Walther began manufacture at their plant in Zella-Mehlis and produced three series of 'Test' pistols, designated by a '0' prefix to the serial number.
I initially put off getting a copy of Jan Balcar and Ron Clarin’s book on the Spreewerk P38 because, well, I assumed it was just about Spreewerk. Upon finally reading it, I discovered that it is actually a very well-rounded history of the P38 as a whole, with particular extra attention given to Spreewerk. Originally written in Czech, it includes a great deal of information about the the city of Grottau where the Spreewerk factory was located. It also includes several sections on the other manufacturing done by Spreewerk, including a section on the VG-2 rifle.
The book does a great job covering the development of the P38 in detail as well as its production. The specific variations made by Spreewerk are obviously a focal point, but reading just this book will provide a good overall understanding of the gun. For those who do not want to shell out $500+ for a set of Warren Buxton’s books, this would be my recommendation for the single best P38 book available. Krutzek’s recent work is a good companion to get details on the Walther and Mauser subtypes, but it provides much less background and context than Balcar and Clarin do.
Unfortunately, this volume is mostly out of print today, and will be more difficult to find once Checkpoint Charlie’s sells out their remaining stock. At the time of this writing, it is available there for $99.
SPREEWERK
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- Made under Nazi occupation at Spreewerke during World War II Fixed sights with 'P.38 cyq' stamped on slide with 'eagle/88' proofs. Matching number on barrel lug, locking block, slide and frame. Grips are ribbed bakelite, and the magazine is 'jvd' marked.
- The P38 concept was accepted by the German military in 1938 but production of prototype ('Test') pistols did not begin until late 1939. Walther began manufacture at their plant in Zella-Mehlis and produced three series of 'Test' pistols, designated by a '0' prefix to the serial number.
CYQ very early gun serial number 21
CYQ 2nd variation with e/359 small parts serial number range 50-500 - 208
CYQ 3rd variation with rare e/18 accepted locking block- (Eight known examples 2514, 2596, 2630, 2678, 2852, 2853, 2894, 2933)
CYQ 3rd variation with matched numbered holster serial number range 500-1565d. 41,000 produced - 3842c
CYQ 3rd variaton with backward 'c' on slide and carry permit dated 1946, full rig - 7476c
Cloudmagic 7 8 30 download free. CYQ 4th variation 'rig' serial number range 1584d-9804z. 120,000 produced with capture papers and holster - 6073f
CYQ Serial number 1 - 1h
CYQ Serial number 10000h - 10000h
CYQ 4th variation 'rig' - 3412i
CYQ 'rig' - 9976l
CYQ 4th variation 'rig' with capure papers and info on the vet who brought it back - 3404m
CYQ 4th variation with asterisk - 4497r
CYQ 5th variation FN frame serial number range 334x-1567x. 1,200 produced - 1450x
Tacx trainer software 4 crack. CYQ 6th variation A prefix serial number range A1-B4835. 15,000 produced - a9829
Three CYQ b prefix 6th variation with consecutive serial numbers b10, b12, b13
CYQ b Prefix with three stamps - b127 (Consecutive numbered)
CYQ b Prefix with three stamps - b128 (Consecutive numbered)
CYQ b Prefix with two stamps - b568
CYQ b prefix with one e/88 stamp - b3624
CYQ 0 series 'Volkssturm' gun with capture papers, serial number range 01-07971. Cd 874mh 1. 8,000 produced with vet bring back items and a note from the vet - 01461
CYQ 0 series - 01504
Two 0 series with FN slides AC 43 and 44 stacked codes. 1,500 produced
8th variation double 00 series serial number range 001-00100 - 0047
Spreewerke Manufacture
Four CVQ 8th variation double 0 series most likely made during Russian occupation . Very Rare!
Spreewerk P38 Serial Numbers
![Spreewerke Spreewerke](https://luger.gunboards.com/uploaded/drm2m/2006621248_Cropped%20resized%20P38%20cyq%20close%20up%20markings%20left%20side%20010.jpg)