Gustloff pistol Pistole

serial # 1152, matching "52" numbers, caliber 7.65 mm, bright bore, eight-shot. Labeled on the slide

GUSTLOFF-WERKE
Waffenwerke Suhl

at right on the barrel base "Kal. 7.65 mm". Proof mark Eagle/N. All-steel construction. Original finish with light wear marks and a couple of small spots. Flawless, dark brown walnut grip plates. Beautiful, almost new condition. Extremely rare. This pistol was developed in 1939 before the beginning of the war at the instigation of Fritz Sauckel, the Gauleiter of Thuringia. Sauckel was the founder and patron of the Gustloff-Werke, formerly the Simson-Werke, in Suhl. The weapon combined elements of the Walther PP and the Sauer & Sohn Model 38. It was supposed to replace the Walther PP as the service pistol of the NSDAP and the SS. However, due to a shortage of material it never progressed beyond the experimental stage, although Hitler as well as Himmler each received a prototype. The few known authentic pieces were all produced with differing technical equipment and in various materials like cast zinc, stainless steel etc. Compare among others Waffen-Revue, Vol. 42, pages 6635 - 6661 and DWJ, Vol. 10/90, p. 1464. Less than 100 pistols produced. The scarce pistol in perfect working is     sold / for information only