* 1938 Krieghoff, sn 9221 Treatise

Gibson states that production of the 1938 HK was limited to 50 produced with 18 verified examples. Today, there is still an estimated total production of 50 units, but Krieghoff collectors have now verified 21 examples of 1938 dated HKs. Following is a photo treatise of one of the verified pieces.

1938 HK – Serial number 9221

With 90% blue and 80% straw, this example is classic of both Gibson’s research and Krieghoff collecting. Bearing serial number 9221, this 1938 chamber dated Krieghoff was pulled from earlier production and sent to the Luftwaffe in June of 1938 to fulfill another 50 units towards the overall contract. Notes to the proofing and machining marks on this example bear out that it was an earlier production run, rather then post 1937 remarked as “1938”. The grips on this piece are course checkered brown grips, used post “S” and “36” Krieghoffs (although inter-dispersed among latter dates) and in the “1936”, “1937” and S1 Commercial periods.

The left side shows barrel wear and highpoint wear on the side-plate, typical of being carried in the holster. Other areas that are weak on this HK include the grip straps:

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The right side is typical HK at that era: Strawed ejector, trigger (right side mag release is fire blued, as is most common on 1938 and latter):

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Right Receiver: Stamps of this production era run include acceptance of both the frame (as seen on the rail), and the progression of the following: LWaA Stage 1 (early); Proof mark; LWaA Stage 2 (early) (variations noted in 1938 production). On the rail, is again found the LWaA Stage 2. The Barrel proof (right side) is the proof mark. The proof is many times mis-understood by HK novices, as it will generally appear on all of 3 places: the receiver, the barrel and breechblock, but it has been confused with a LWaA stage 1 and/or 2. But, it is totally different (see photo – the PROOF marks are center on the receiver and the right of the barrel) in next photo:.

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Chamber Date: Be aware of counterfeits. HK’s have their own script and “cant” to the numerals that are stamped. This is proper for a “1938”. Notice the baseline drawn between the “9” and the “8”, the "3" descending as well as the top-cleft of the “1”:

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Toggle marking: HK went through several variations of their toggle stamp. For 1938 HKs, although limited in verified examples, it would be “C-2” as noted by Gibson. No variations of the toggle exist for 1938 production that have been verified, to date.

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Barrel Proofs/markings: The following photo depicts the “gauge” (as 8,84), the LWaA 2 acceptance and the 4 digit serial number. As production proceeded through HK in later years, the orientation and the proofs/serial numbers would change or be omitted. This 1938 has no witness marks, but 2 are noted as having witness marks.

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Axel Pin:. One of the HK examples struck with a small digit die. Most Axel pins that were struck were between the serial Nos 7,000 and 10,000 range – but few are noted. Of the 1938’s verified (21 total), only 6 have this mark. 1938 HK serial # 9221 is marked as such, with the last 2 digits:

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Toggle Ears: HK Kriegs have a chamfered inset to the outer ears. As noted in the photo below, the chamfer was at approximately 21 degrees from the inside edge. The depth of the chamfer actually varied, and became less noticeable as production progressed. It is not uncommon to see inter-dispersed depths even within the same year of production, depending on the proximity of the serial number.

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Frame Serial Number: All 1938 HK’s have a 4 or 5 digit serial number. HK’s may have up to 5 Digits or “P” (for “Commercial”) before the serial number stamped on the frame. Note that Krieghoffs did not have a “scriptic letter suffix” for either military nor commercial (the exception being the DWM Commercial Reworks, which were DWM manufactured and serialized). “P” code or post war also did not have a letter suffix and there are no exceptions noted.
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Safety: Marked as Gesichert, this is a Die Type “B” as recorded by Gibson. The only white marked piece be the factory, this Safety Stamp is correct for this 1938

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Inside Sideplate: Trigger lever with a LWaA2 mark, as well as the sideplate marked with both the acceptance stamp and proper 2 digit last numerals

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Three Quarter view: Note the sear bar safety has the correct Military serialization (last two digits). This was not consistent amongst their production runs nor noted variations.

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