POTD: A Short Gun for a Short Production Run – The P-38K
Sam.S 01.19.24
Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! The P-38K is an intriguing short-barreled version of Walther’s P-38 pistol. The “K” stands for the German word “Kurz” or “short.” At first glance, the P-38K resembles a P-38 with a shortened barrel. However, its internal design mirrors the later P4 model. Unlike the classic P-38, the P-38K lacks an external safety lever and only has a decocking function. Approximately 2,600 P-38Ks were manufactured by Walther from 1974-1981. Early prototypes feature details like the P-38 frame, engraved “P38” slides with hand-etched “K” markings, and adjustable sights. Later production models incorporated improvements like a frame-strengthening pin. All authentic P-38Ks fall into a narrow serial number range between 500,000-502,600. While fakes abound on the collector market, the real P-38K occupies an interesting place in Walther’s history.
“Manufacturer: WaltherModel: P 38kType: PistolGauge: 9 mm paraBarrel: 2 3/4 inch roundFinish: parkerizedGrip: plastic”
Lot 1139: Walther Model P38K Semi-Automatic Pistol with Box. (n.d.-f). Rock Island Auction Company. photograph. Retrieved January 18, 2024, from https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/2031/1139/walther-model-p38k-semiautomatic-pistol-with-box.
