When the governments of the world get into serious social disputes technology usually leaps forward in huge bounds. That is to say that war or the imminent threat of war opens up the coffers and money for research and development flows. Scientists, designers, technicians and industry know what they can accomplish provided they have funding and official support for their efforts.

It was in just such a climate that the Pistole 38 (P-38) was conceived. Germany had the Luger, (P-08) which served fairly well in the Great War, (WWI). However, the P-08 was a complicated design. Due to the intricate cuts and tolerances involved and it was time consuming and expensive to manufacture. The P-08 toggle action was a finely fitted mechanism that jammed easily in the wet, muddy climate of central Europe. By the mid 1930’s, Germany in defiance of the Treaty of Versailles began to rearm and a new sidearm was sought. A pistol that cost less, could be produced in less time, and was still extremely reliable.
 

What’s Wrong With Great Design and Fine Craftsmanship?

Nothing at all, in peacetime these are the attributes that set the standard for true quality. There’s nothing like a finely crafted gun, vehicle, watch, tool or electronic item. In wartime, as the Nazi’s learned, to their sorrow, the above attributes can spell disaster! Their tanks were a wonder of advanced design. Their production methods required master craftsmen, and their contractors were companies that made locomotives and dock cranes. They were geared to producing items at a slower pace. They were over designed and broke down with greater frequency due to lack of scheduled maintenance. It’s not that Russian or US tanks were more advanced then German designs, they weren’t. It’s just that the US and Russia turned out so much war production and did it so fast; it made the enemy’s head’s spin! We used the same methods to produce war goods as we did to produce consumer goods, and we used KIS, Keep It Simple! We took an unskilled work force (Rosie the Riveter) and taught them fast and well. They produced at a frightening pace. The same with ships, prior to the war it took almost a year to build and launch a Liberty ship. Harry Kaiser got the system down to a point where they actually built and launched one in 5 days! The Liberty was an obsolete, 40-year-old British design. However, it was simple and reliable, Kaiser was producing them on a 24/7 basis. The Wolf Packs in the Atlantic couldn’t believe the convoys just kept coming!

Walther developed a pistol that met every requirement and specification of the rearmament acceptance board. The P-38 incorporated features such as locked breach, double action; loaded chamber indicator and a slick hammer drop safety. It wasn’t required to carry the P-38 in a “cocked and locked” mode. The P-38 could have a round chambered and the hammer lowered and the pistol was safe. (We’ll discuss the safety again later) Simply pulling the trigger through the long double action mode would fire the gun. After that first round, all following shots would be in the single action mode. Walther began initial production on the new pistol. Later, both Mauser and Speerwerke also produced P-38’s.

 

There’s Nothing Like Getting An All Matching # Gun AND The Original Magazines & Holster!

The P-38 design was extremely forward thinking. With the exception of the P-08, most European autos of the time were ungainly, Ill balanced and awkward. The P-38 has “natural pointability”; it fits the hands of most men and women extremely well. The weight of the P-38 sits right in the hand; this gives it a very balanced feel.

The military P-38 is all steel construction; it weighs 2.1lb with an empty magazine. The P-38’s made today have an aluminum frame and weigh a bit less. I’ve fired both on a side-by-side basis, and the extra weight in the military version gives it a much better feel during firing then the newer, civilian version.

The design and angle of the feed ramp makes the P-38 one of the easiest feeding autos around. Most all bullet styles will glide right into the chamber. Ejection is also extremely reliable. During the cycling of the gun, a huge area is open when the brass is ejected. There is little chance of empty brass getting hung up in a P-38.

Let’s talk about the safety on the P-38. Moving the lever to the “safe” position turns a drum that has several cuts milled into it. The resulting projections on the drum block the firing pin from engaging a primer. Recall we said the P-38 has a hammer drop feature, so, as long as the drum is intact the gun won’t fire when the hammer drops.

HOWEVER, some P-38’s have had the drums crystallized, remember that these wartime P-38’s are 60 + years old. The projections on the drum are only 1/16 inch thick. There have been cases where the drum projections have cracked off. Then, when the safety was engaged and the hammer dropped, the gun fired the remaining rounds in the magazine full auto!! Not a pretty prospect. The very best way to engage the safety on your P-38 is to keep your thumb on the hammer, turn the safety to “safe” and gently lower the hammer with your thumb.

As with any mil-surp arm, the P-38 should be field stripped, cleaned and inspected prior to firing. The first step in field stripping a P-38 is to make sure it’s not loaded! Point the gun in a safe direction, remove the magazine and visibly check the chamber.

A) Once the gun is safe, push the safety lever (located at the top left side of the slide) down to the safe position. A capital S will be displayed once the lever is lowered.

B) Next pull the slide back about ½ way and turn the take down lever (located at the lower left side of the frame) clockwise until it stops.

C) Carefully move the barrel and slide assembly to the left and off the frame.
 

Notice Take-Down Lever Moved Away From Frame Once Slide Is Removed.

D) With the slide removed and in an up side down position, the barrel can be removed from the slide by simply pressing in on the silvery colored locking plunger, now the block will enter the removal position and the barrel and block will come off.
 

The Locking Plunger Is The Small Pin Pointing To The Right, Located About Center Of The Slide.

E) Removal of the locking bolt is accomplished by simply lifting it up and out. A small spring clip holds it by friction.

 

Barrel & Block Assembly

Block Assembly Removed From Barrel

From The Top: Slide, Barrel, Locking Bolt, Frame

Reassembly of the P-38 is simply the procedure in reverse. Actually, it takes alt longer to describe then to do. Disassembly or reassembly should take about 10 seconds!

One thing to remember on European handguns, the sights are regulated for a “center hold”, unlike American handguns that are regulated for a “6 o’clock hold”. The sights on the P-38 are much better then most autos. The rear U shaped notch is .086 wide and .080 deep. The front blade is .076 wide and .273 high, the sights are very easy to acquire a target with.

Here in Texas, we have the CCW program, which requires classroom instruction, a written exam and a range qualification component. If one qualifies with an autoloader, then the CCW covers both auto and revolver. I used my P-38 in my range component. Even with my aging eyes  and pop bottle glasses, the natural handling characteristics of the P-38 and its excellent sights allowed me to score 245 out of 250 in a timed event!

My P-38 functions flawlessly, but all guns may not do so.

Should you acquire a P-38, it should be thoroughly inspected, just as you would with any Mil-Surp arm. Check for matching serial numbers. Mismatched guns have a higher probability of malfunctions. If possible, test fire the piece before purchase, or have an arrangement where you get a return guarantee if it has major problems.

OK, so, what about the title of this article? What the heck is “The 52 / 20 Club”? Good question thought you’d never ask!

Right after World War II, as at the end of all wars, the military began to downsize. Men and women were discharged in huge numbers.
 

What of the Civilian Essential Worker?

Upon cessation of hostilities, the government cancelled all contracts. A civil work force, which, in many factories had 3 shifts going 7 days a week laid off thousands of workers. Those wishing to secure new employment were quickly able to do so. The country swiftly shifted from a war economy to a peacetime economy. The demand for durable goods, not available during the war, was enormous. Many companies simply reverted to their pre-war business. Cadillac, which made tanks during the war, went back to making, well… Cadillac’s!

At that time veterans were eligible to collect unemployment benefits for a period of one year. The amount paid was $20.00 a week for 52 weeks. Hence, the 52 / 20 Club! At that time, $20.00 a week was a fairish amount of money. That would roughly equate to about $400.00 a week in today’s dollars.

In those enlightened times, (see side-bar) returning veterans were allowed to keep a trophy rifle or pistol captured from the defeated forces. From both the European and Pacific theatres GI’s, brought back rifles and pistols.

 

What about keeping a War Trophy Gun Today?

Unfortunately, Vietnam was the last war in which individual soldiers were allowed to retain war trophy guns. You won’t see veterans returning from the Persian Gulf with authorized trophy guns captured from the defeated forces. Arms, which are captured, found or surrendered, must be turned in and accounted for. Today, only military units are allowed to keep display case items like a rifle, pistol, or bayonet. Additionally, captured uniforms, helmets and gas masks are frequently displayed. However, any firearm that is displayed must be de-milled. Usually its barrel is welded shut and its bolt welded to the action. Furthermore, the items are added to unit property books, and are subject to strict accountability, they become government property.

The subject P-38 was one of those WWII trophy guns. The gentleman from whom I acquired the P-38 had bought it for $20.00 in late 1945 from an unemployed, returning soldier. So, the fellow got good money in 1945 dollars for an item that was originally paid for with German Reich’s Marks!

I sometimes wonder about the German officer who was “relieved” of this pistol when Germany surrendered. Was he a “true believer”, or just another soldier called upon to do his duty, while at the same time trying to stay alive? Was he glad the war was over, and after a reasonable term of interment, he could return home? Or, did he feel cheated that the Reich that was supposed to last 1000 years collapsed in less then 12? These questions of course, will never be answered.

Let us never forget that behind every mil-surp pistol or rifle there is a ghost and a story, for no weapon stands duty on the line alone.