Walther P-38

Discussions on the small arms used by the Axis forces.
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Annelie
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Walther P-38

#1

Post by Annelie » 17 Feb 2014, 16:53

Does anyone know if when the pistol was assigned to someone
was the serial number listed somewhere to the person?

Wondering if there was a way to find out who an original owner might have been?

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JKindred
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Re: Walther P-38

#2

Post by JKindred » 17 Feb 2014, 21:05

No
Books: The original search engine.

Interested in original M1918 BAR and M1917A1 BMG related items.


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Annelie
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Re: Walther P-38

#3

Post by Annelie » 17 Feb 2014, 22:06

Okay, thanks.

I know rifles assigned to Americans during WWII were recorded, (read that in the book I am reading).

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JKindred
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Re: Walther P-38

#4

Post by JKindred » 19 Feb 2014, 05:37

Even those you will not be able to trace back to an individual regardless of what your book says.
Books: The original search engine.

Interested in original M1918 BAR and M1917A1 BMG related items.

mikel
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Re: Walther P-38

#5

Post by mikel » 24 Feb 2014, 09:07

This question gets asked about once a month.

Gustav_SC
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Re: Walther P-38

#6

Post by Gustav_SC » 06 May 2014, 07:14

The answer is yes and no.

"Yes" since every modern military everywhere records the serial number of an issued weapon. There has to be some accountability. The Wehrmacht surely did this.

"No" since such records (especially in the WWII era) are/were local unit records recorded on paper by an armorer or supply sergeant. They are not matters of national or military archives and are not maintained with any permanence. I am sure that records were kept about who the officer of the day was for units in garrison in France in 1943 and I am equally sure that such records are long gone.

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Sarge
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Re: Walther P-38

#7

Post by Sarge » 04 Jul 2014, 02:37

The only way to trace a weapon to an individual German soldier is to have his Soldbuck. You will find his weapon and ser nr listed in that.
There was no other rekord so the only way to know who had the rifle or pistol you now have is to find his soldbuch.
Sarge

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