Weapon is serial numbered 1832 i and is marked “ac” on the slide and “359” under the Waffen marks showing it was made at the Walther factory at Zella-Mehlis, Germany in September of 1944. According to the provenance provided the weapon was captured from a German medical officer by Lt. Harold Meskers of Company L, 342^nd Infantry, 86^th Infantry Division on May 4, 1945 in Weyer, Austria.

The weapon is in excellent condition. All the original blue remains with very little wear. Only some light signs of rubbing on the top of the frame from the weapon being taken in and out of the holster over the years. The slide is crisply marked “P.38” and “1832 i  ac  44” on the left side with three Waffenamts (inspection and acceptance marks) in a line on the right side, two of which bear the number “359.” The barrel and the frame have the same serial number with the frame also having a Waffenamt over “359.” Action is excellent. Bore is immaculate. Brown Bakelite grips are in excellent condition. Magazine is present and is also marked with Waffenamt over “359” as is the spare magazine housed in the holster, however, the marking is faint on the spare magazine. Safety works properly as does the magazine catch.

With the pistol is the original leather holster in good used condition. All stitching is tight and leather is supple. There is light surface wear around the edges as well as minor scattered surface scratches. Extra magazine mentioned above is in the pocket where it is stored. The latch tab and finial are present and in good condition. Reverse of the holster has both belt loops. Between the loops is Waffenamt over “WaA41” and below this is a faint “jhg.” These markings show that the holster was manufactured by G. Genschow in Berlin, Germany in either 1942 or 1944. Also lightly stamped on the reverse of the holster is a faint large “P 38.” Also, well under the inside flap is the name of the German officer the pistol was taken from. A hand inked marking reads “HAUG  UFFZ” for “Unteroffizier Haug.” With the holster are some cleaning patches and an earlier cleaning rod marked with serial number “55730” and a crown over a “W.”

As stated above this pistol is a war trophy brought home by Lieutenant Harold W. Meskers who served as a Platoon leader in Company L, 342^nd Infantry Regiment, 86^th Infantry Division. With the item is a letter written by Mr. Meskers to his son presenting him the pistol. The letter is written on 86^th Division Reunion Association stationery dated April 1994. The letter reads in part:

“During WWII I served in the ETO as a 1^st Lt. rifle platoon leader in Co. L 342 regiment of the 86^th Infantry Division. As the battle in Europe was nearing its end, my platoon had advanced into Austria and on May 4, 1945 we advanced along mountain roads to Weyer, Austria. It was here that we took a German medical attachment, of some 12 officers, prisoner.

It was at that time and place that I disarmed one of the medical officers and retained his P-38 revolver as a war trophy.” With the letter is a notarized statement from the son of Mr. Meskers stating that the pistol and letter came from his father.

Harold W. Meskers was born in West Grove, Pennsylvania on April 25, 1922 and was raised in Somers Point, New Jersey. He graduated from Ocean City High School in 1940 and received a scholarship to Rutgers where he took part in an advanced ROTC course. He was called to active duty at the end of his Junior year and reported for duty on August 8, 1944.

An interesting story from Lt. Meskers service in Europe happened about a week before he captured the weapon offered for sale here. On April 25^th 1945 as his platoon was approaching a long hill covered with pine trees and assorted knee high vegetation a German solider popped up out of the cover approximately halfway up the slope. Though the German had his hands on top of his head Lt. Meskers and the two point men with him froze. Lt. Meskers told his men to “Watch out,” and then yelled to the German “Deutch Soldot, Komenze here!” Immediately the whole hill was filled with German soldiers, all with their hands up coming to surrender.

Harold Meskers ended the war as a 1^st Lieutenant.

After his discharge he returned to Rutgers and graduated with a degree in accounting in 1947. He was called back to the Army in 1950 and served at the Army Finance Center in St. Louis until discharged in 1952. After his military service Mr. Meskers worked as an accountant until his retirement in 1988. He died on September 12, 2003 leaving behind his wife and two sons.  [ad]

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