“GRAY GHOST” French Produced “Star” Marked MAUSER “SVW/45” P.38 Pistol C&R FRENCH CONTROLLED Mauser Oberndorf

Product Description

“GRAY GHOST” French Produced “Star” Marked MAUSER “SVW/45” P.38 Pistol C&R

FRENCH CONTROLLED Mauser Oberndorf

Here we present a C&R All Phosphate “Star” Marked “Gray Ghost” Mauser “SVW/45” Code P.38 Pistol, made after the close of World War II in late 1945 in Oberndorf, Germany. This pistol is referred to as the “Gray Ghost” due to the all phosphate finish and parkerized gray sheet metal grips. These don’t come up very often as they have become very collectable in recent years. After the close of World War II in Europe, the Mauser firearms factory was captured by French Forces and restarted to supply the French. This pistol is one of those firearms. Mauser’s Department 37 development group was placed under control of the French War Department’s armament group, Direction des Etudes et Fabrication d’Armement (DEFA). The Mauser factory was renamed the DEFA Development Center, Oberndorf. The French continued work there through 1946, when German workers and equipment began to be transferred to the Mulhouse area of Alsace. The Alsace region was chosen because most of the people were bilingual in French and German. The new facility became the Centre d’Etudes et d’Armement de Mulhouse (CEAM). The transfer of operations to Mulhouse was complete by March 1948. The Mauser factory itself was ultimately destroyed by the French.

The P.38 was designed by Walther to replace the Luger P.08 as the standard service weapon for the Third Reich’s Wermacht. The Luger was a ground-breaking design, but quite expensive to produce. The P.38 doubled down on that and was the first locking breech pistol to feature the double/single action firing mechanism with a decocking safety lever, a prelude to many modern pistols to come. It also features a loaded chamber indicator that is both visible and tactile, extending out of the top rear of the slide, just above the hammer. The falling block locking mechanism was also carried into future pistol designs. Many of these design features are found in the Beretta 92 or U.S. M9 pistols.

The overall condition is very good. The action is excellent. The bore is bright with sharp rifling. Solid metal grips. Numbers match. Import marked on the right side of the frame.

This firearm is classified as a Curio & Relic.

Barrel is 5 inches.

Caliber: 9mm Luger

Overall condition as seen in photos.

Very Fast. Very Safe. FREE SHIPPING. Will need to be sent to your local FFL or C&R licensee. This firearm is classified as a Curio & Relic.

Guaranteed AUTHENTIC & Includes CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY.

www.ancestryguns.com

$1850
#230487