This is an extremely rare second developmental stage Walther Model AP (Armee-Pistole) prototype pistol serial number "045" produced circa 1932-1934. This is the only surviving example with provenance documenting it as captured in action off of a German paratrooper. It was captured in the European Theater by an American soldier by the name of Sergeant Lester M. Hicks (later Sergeant Major) who traded it to his friend Sergeant Arden A. Adams (later Sergeant Major). Adams carried the pistol for the remainder of the war and brought it back home. Both men were part of the 704th Tank Destroyer Battalion, 4th Armored Division. This pistol is accompanied by World War II photographs and extensive correspondence between noted author Warren Buxton and Arden A. Adams indicating they also had multiple verbal communications as well and a highly detailed six page detailed letter of provenance based on an interview of Arden Adams written by Warren Buxton and dated September 19, 2005. The document states: "This pistol serial 045 is extremely unusual due to the following. All of its exterior marks have been professionally machined off leaving bright slots in the place of the marks. The removed marks included the exterior serial number but some of the small parts and interior of the frame, barrel, slide and grip panels have the number 45 stamped on them so from that it is known that the gun's serial number was 045. The pistol was taken off the body of a German Fallschirmjaeger (paratrooper) in the area of the Rhine river in Germany in approximately February or March 1945. All the marks were already machined off, i.e. the gun appears exactly then as it does now, when the gun was taken from the paratrooper's holster by Sgt. Lester M. Hicks and Sgt. Arden A. Adams of the 4th Armored Division, 704 Tank Destroyer Battalion. Both men realized the gun was quite unusual with its concealed hammer and machined off marks but had no idea what it was or who had made it. Sgt. Adams had little interest in the gun so it became property of Sgt. Hicks. With its concealed hammer he thought it would be an excellent weapon to carry in the confines of a tank destroyer or Sherman tank. He carefully hand made a leather shoulder holster [not included] for his Mod. AP and photographs [included] showing him or Sgt. Adams carrying this Mod. AP in that holster are part of the provenance documents folder [included]. Unfortunately, as this is written, the holster has been separated from the pistol and its whereabouts is not known. Sgt. Hicks carried this Mod. AP in combat zones for a number of weeks and it was shot many times for recreation by Sgt. Hicks and Sgt. Adams and possibly by Sgt. Hicks in some combat situations. This Mod. AP is the only one known to have the following attributes to its history. The only specimen known to had been outside the factory. The only specimen known to had been brought back by an average GI. The only specimen known to had been issued to a German soldier and one belonging to an elite unit, the paratroopers. The only specimen known to had been carried in combat by a German soldier. The only specimen known to had been carried in combat by an American soldier." The provenance letter further describes that Sergeant Hicks traded this pistol to Sergeant Adams in exchange for a camera, which captured the array of included photographs showing this pistol carried in action. Arden Adams used this Model AP as his car gun throughout his lifetime until he sold it in 1995. It is estimated that less than 20 of these early Walther prototypes exist today. This series of pistols was Walther's continuing attempt to develop a suitable semi-automatic pistol for military sales to the German Army and was produced in two serial number ranges. The second group used the "zero-prefix" serial numbers, like this example. This model is noted for having a "concealed hammer" design, and it does not have any provisions for a shoulder stock. These are considered early engineering design or development models, with no two alike, so each can have some unique and innovative features. Most of these features were later incorporated into standard Walther HP and P.38 production pistols. This example has the standard swinging locking block, along with twin recoil springs (one on each side) of the frame, a 5 inch barrel, with two separate, fully machined takedown and slide release levers. The takedown lever is the early model that still retains the larger checkered head. The slide also has the large, single reinforcing rib on each side of the slide along with the noted concealed internal hammer that is characteristic of the early Walther Model AP pistols. This example has an all steel frame with the longer rear area (below the slide serrations). The slide has neatly machined cuts, presumably factory performed, where its original Walther, model markings, and matching serial number would have resided. The reasoning for the markings being removed unknown. As spelled out in author Warren Buxton's provenance letter, one of the theories as to why the markings were removed are that the Walther factory wanted no responsibility for allowing this prototype pistol to be issued due to possible safety concerns and "sanitized" it by removing their name from it. Whoever the unknown German paratrooper was, that individual likely had above average influence due to their military rank, political connections, and/or knew someone within the Walther factory, and either convinced them to allow use of the pistol or received it as a gift and likely preferred it for combat use due to it featuring a concealed hammer. The matching serial number "45" is located on the inside rear cut out area of the slide, inside cut out area of the frame, one of the inside cut out areas of the barrel, and the underside of both grip panels. The pistol is accompanied by two modern professionally made magazines in total, with one marked "045-89" and the other marked "045-90". The pistols is fitted with original Walther factory wrap around two-piece grips with full checkered panels on each side and a lanyard loop protrudes from the lower left. Information related to these Walther Model AP prototype pistols can be found in Warren Buxton's book "The P.38 Pistol, Volume One" on pages 31 and 36 and in James L. Rankin's book "Walther, Volume III, 1908-1980" on pages 72-76. This Walther Model AP prototype pistol is not only a historically significant war trophy but also represents an important evolutionary step in the overall design and development of what became the Walther P.38. Provenance: The Sergeant Major Lester M. Hicks Collection; The Sergeant Major Arden A. Adams Collection; The Richard Ellis Collection; The Warren Buxton Collection; Property of a Gentleman

Extremely fine, retaining 90% original high polish blue finish with smooth gray patina on the areas where the markings were removed and a few of the edges. The grips are excellent with some light handing marks and distinct checkering. Mechanically excellent. This American GI bringback German Walther Model AP Prototype pistol, accompanied by extensive letters of provenance, would be the centerpiece of any advanced military pistol collection!