P.38 Proof Marks

[Flash]

Does anybody have a link or some information on the old war time P.38's? I once gave my Father an article out of an old Gun Digest I believe that told the Walther Story and he can't find it. He gave me his P.38 and I'd like to find some info and save it. I recall that it was made in the Spreewerke factory and bears the serial #9xxx C. The slide number is 4  d  ac  45. It doesn't have an eagle or a crown proof mark but had a weird configuration of horizontal lines that might resemble wings over the number 359. That same stamp is on both the slide and the frame. The serial number ISN'T stamped under the barrel but after stripping it, I found the number 359 and three letters stamped into the white lug on the bottom. It is not a 480 design but with bakelite grips, rectangular lanyard ring and spur hammer. Any help would be appreciated.

[Mikey]

Flash - the 'ac' designation means it was made by Walther.  byf means Mauser, and I believe 'cg' means the Spreewerke plant.  The weird configuration of horizontal lines might well be the german eagle, which is the proof mark.  The Germans would usually stamp or number each part of each rifle/pistol, so the numbers 359 should appear on most of the parts.  

I think I'm right, but could be wrong.  Mikey.

[wiley]

that has some useful info:
http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/uniforms_firearms/firearms/p38/p38index.htm

[jacobtowne]

The 359 should be accompanied by WaA, an abbreviation for WaffenAmt, or Ordnance Department. This is not a proof, but rather an Ordnance acceptance stamp.
Try the Walther forum at:

http://www.p38forum.com/

JT