Walther P38 Cyq Serial Number Lookup Jun 2026

Disclaimer: This article is for informational and historical purposes. Always verify firearm laws in your jurisdiction. Serial number lookups provide historical context, not ownership documentation.

Your might take a frustrating turn if the gun has been altered.

Searching for the history of a coded Walther P.38 tells a story of late-war desperation and the transition from meticulous engineering to a rugged "workhorse" tool. Unlike standard Walther or Mauser pistols, "cyq" models don't have a manufacturing year stamped on the slide; instead, you must decode their story through the serial number and suffix. The Identity of a "cyq" code belonged to Metallwarenfabrik Spreewerk GmbH walther p38 cyq serial number lookup

Disclaimer: This article is for historical and collector education. Always verify your local and state laws regarding firearm ownership and transfer. When in doubt, consult a qualified firearms appraiser.

East German police reworked many CYQ pistols. They will have a sunburst proof mark or a "K" inside a circle. The original serial number may be peened and re-stamped. These are historical but not collectible as wartime originals. Disclaimer: This article is for informational and historical

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the CYQ P38, how to interpret its serial numbers, and how to trace its origins.

The "cyq" code on a Walther P.38 identifies it as a product of in Grottau, Czechoslovakia. Unlike manufacturers like Walther ("ac") or Mauser ("byf"), Spreewerk did not stamp a production year on the slide. To determine the manufacture date of a cyq P.38, you must cross-reference its unique serial number and letter suffix against established production charts. Understanding the Spreewerk Serial System Your might take a frustrating turn if the

Before diving into the serial numbers, it is crucial to understand the manufacturer. The P38 was not exclusively made by Walther. During the war, the German high command decentralized production to various factories to prevent a single bombing raid from halting the supply of sidearms.

The Walther P38 is one of the most iconic semi-automatic pistols of the 20th century. Serving as the standard sidearm for the German Wehrmacht during World War II, it replaced the venerable Luger P08 and set the standard for modern double-action service pistols. While original Walther-made P38s are highly prized, there is a specific variant that holds a unique fascination for historians and collectors: the .

Produced by the Spreewerk GmbH factory in Grottau, Sudetenland (present-day Hradek nad Nisou, Czech Republic), the CYQ pistol represents the "everyman" of the Wehrmacht’s sidearm. Unlike the beautifully finished Walther (ac) or Mauser (byf/svw) pistols, Spreewerk guns are known for their utilitarian phosphate finishes, machining marks visible to the naked eye, and—most importantly—a serial number system that confuses even advanced collectors.

While Walther used the code , and later in the war, Spreewerk used "cvq" , the "CYQ" code indicates that your pistol was manufactured in the Mauser factory in Oberndorf am Neckar.