Ga�«tan

The CZ-38 pistols seized by the Germans after the occupation of the remnant of Czechoslovakia in 1939 were issued to the Waffen SS troops on time for the campaign of France in 1940. The hostility of the German Army (Heer)toward the Waffen SS (perceived as a rival) was such that the then newly created SS units had to be equipped with inferior material and arms from seized Polish and Czech stocks. There was also at this moment an accute shortage of small arms and the regular units of the Army (Heer) received priority for the best equipment (procurement of new pistols for all elements of the German Armed forces was the overall responsability of the Army specifically the Heereswaffenamt). After the battle of France, apparently satisfied with the record of the Waffen SS Hitler insisted that the SS receive better equipment and CZ-27, CZ-38 were subsequently sent to Finland when the shortage of small arms was less acute. I currently own one of these P-38 holsters marked P 39(t) for the CZ-38 pistol. It is dated 1940 with DLWP maker's initials and Waffenamt marked. It fits perfectly both pistols and the extra P-38 mag.