The recent posting of a rare snub-nose P38K in the classifieds here reminded me of the story about the origins of that particular model.
You probably haven't heard of Fritz Gerrard, who as a young apprentice worked in the engineering department at Walther. In 1938, the buzz at Walther was all about the new P.38 design, commissioned by the German government to replace the famous Luger. Just at the beginning of his career, Fritz was part of the team supporting development of the early P.38 prototypes.
Now even in 1938 Germany, the "lunchbox gun" was a thing... workers would filch small parts as the opportunity arose and put together their own "lunchbox special". Fritz was no different, and as the weeks went by the small pile of parts in his desk drawer at home grew. Soon he would be able to assemble his own P.38.
But Fritz's P.38 would be different, due to an amazing chance encounter.
Charles Lindbergh, then on his second visit to Europe, was a fan of German technology. One day he was brought in for a VIP tour of the Walther facility. Fritz was present as Lindbergh was walked through engineering - and stood in the awe-struck group as "Lucky Lindy" showed off his specially-modified Colt revolver.
That night Fritz lay awake thinking about the famous aviator and his exotic American handgun. And he realized that the unusual features of Lindbergh's revolver were equally applicable to the new P.38.
A little cutting, filing, and refinishing... the barrel was shortened for a quicker draw, the hammer spur rounded off to prevent snagging, and the trigger guard cut in the same way he had seen on Lindbergh's Colt... and his custom P.38 was done! A unique combination of the American rough-and-tumble school of gunfighting and European engineering and design.
He called it... the "Fritz Special".
You probably haven't heard of Fritz Gerrard, who as a young apprentice worked in the engineering department at Walther. In 1938, the buzz at Walther was all about the new P.38 design, commissioned by the German government to replace the famous Luger. Just at the beginning of his career, Fritz was part of the team supporting development of the early P.38 prototypes.
Now even in 1938 Germany, the "lunchbox gun" was a thing... workers would filch small parts as the opportunity arose and put together their own "lunchbox special". Fritz was no different, and as the weeks went by the small pile of parts in his desk drawer at home grew. Soon he would be able to assemble his own P.38.
But Fritz's P.38 would be different, due to an amazing chance encounter.
Charles Lindbergh, then on his second visit to Europe, was a fan of German technology. One day he was brought in for a VIP tour of the Walther facility. Fritz was present as Lindbergh was walked through engineering - and stood in the awe-struck group as "Lucky Lindy" showed off his specially-modified Colt revolver.
That night Fritz lay awake thinking about the famous aviator and his exotic American handgun. And he realized that the unusual features of Lindbergh's revolver were equally applicable to the new P.38.
A little cutting, filing, and refinishing... the barrel was shortened for a quicker draw, the hammer spur rounded off to prevent snagging, and the trigger guard cut in the same way he had seen on Lindbergh's Colt... and his custom P.38 was done! A unique combination of the American rough-and-tumble school of gunfighting and European engineering and design.
He called it... the "Fritz Special".
