Walther P.38: Germany's 9 mm Semiautomatic Pistol in World War II: 8 (Classic Guns of the World, 8)

Well done

Uma obra completa e concisa, informações, fotos e detalhes incríveis, com arte gráfica de primeira. Recomendo muito!

More depth and details on a great pistol

This is a very nicely bound book printed on glossy-paper with excellent photographs and a “generally accurate” synopsis of the P.38 pistol of the WW2 German military and a few variants. However, it is very disappointing in one particualr aspect: The Captions of some Photographs are either Inapplicable to the described photo…OR…the caption incorrectly describes the photo. In some cases, for example, a caption describes the change of hammer-design, which describes “top” photo of the later “Cog” hammer… and then describes a “Bottom” photo of the earlier grooved hammer… the problem being…there IS NO BOTTOM PHOTO. In other instances, reference is made to a pistol in the photo serial number…but the pistol IN THAT PHOTO HAS A DIFFERENT SERIAL NUMBER…therefore the point of the caption is not illustrated At ALL! Some text descriptions are also blatantly incorrect and widely known to be different. Othewise, this is a good “coffee table book” for the casual aficionado. I posted the following at a collector’s website regarding this book: Please, everyone reading this thread, I am not wishing to denigrate the author, but only to advise anyone thinking this book will make a good reference, that it will raise as many questions as it might suggest solutions. For example, if you have the English version, look at Pg 28, Illustration #1, which is captioned “Marking on an “ac44” (serial number 2777e) …. Notice that particular illustration is actually of serial number “943k” …. That is not a translation issue, it’s a misidentification issue which points directly to erroneous information,…. not a good thing in a book portending to be one of reference-material. It also fails to make the point of the “russet color” the caption discusses …because the pistol illustrated is not russet, it’s blued. Look at pg 29 and take notice of the caption “Comparison of hammers, top….. and below…” There IS no “below” illustration at all. That also is not a translation problem. These errors continue repeatedly throughout the book, and some errors are textual as well. Look at pg 54, where at the top/left of the page, the Caption refers to the “opposite page”: and, Again, completely mis-identifies the serial number of a pistol which does not illustrate the subject of the caption. And lower, on the same page, the caption addresses markings on a “police HSc”…. but the HSc in the illustration has None of the marks discussed. These are not the only errors, there are many more, and not restricted to illustrations and captions, but also clear errors of textual descriptions, as well as imagined/alternative actions in history. (The author, in an apparent effort to clarify, instead posits several alternative theories regarding the transport and assembly of FN-fabricated parts assembled supposedly in ac/byf/spreeworke pistols that does not clarify anything at all, but contributes even more bewilderment to an already confused and unproven result.) I just want others to know that I find the (English) book seriously defective as a reference, …That I consider it unworthy of the money for a reference, (regardless of it’s seemingly relative-reasonable price)…and that is why I’m returning it,

I gave it just three stars not because it is a bad book not worth the read, but it is a basic straight to the point historical book which gives the reader a general understanding on the designed P-38 (9mm) handgun. I would use this as a secondary resource if you are searching for material on collecting or owning P-38 handguns. The book does discuss the development of the P-38, various makes, models, production numbers, and modifications. But it does not goes as far as providing key specific pieces which a collector may need in verifying a weapon for purchase or insurance assessment. This book is a good for basic weapon history, knowledge, and implementation in the during WW2. As I stated it is not a "bad" book or poorly written. This book is one of several books within a series discussing various WW2 era small arms from both Axis and Allied nations. Good to have for the library and also for someone starting to gain interest in historical military type firearms.

Good book