A Message From Ron Clarin

I have an exciting announcement regarding a new book available on the Spreewerk P.38s. The book was co-written by me and Jan Balcar from the Czech Republic, a true expert on the subject of Spreewerk P.38s. Jan and I have been friends for many years. We have shared a great deal of information and research and a great many photos as a result of this friendship. The majority of the research and writing was done by Jan in the Czech Republic. His efforts led him to many of the former factory locations, as well as interviews with a number of the former Spreewerk factory workers.  

Jan and I have worked on several projects together that are included in the book. Most recently, for example, we researched the question of a code change at Spreewerk – cyq vs. cvq. As a result of this collaboration, Jan has graciously included me as a co-writer. All of his research, along with our co-research, and specific segments and sections that I have added are contained within the book. 

This research has been going on for the last 6 or 7 years. A great deal of information is included concerning the history of the cities where the factories are located, the history of the factories themselves, what was produced at theses factories, the political climate of this region, the disputes between the German and Czech residents leading up to WWII, and most importantly, a wealth of information about the pistols themselves. Here is the table of contents:

01. Foreword – Ron Clarin
02. Foreword – Jan Balcar
03. Spreewerk Spandau and its history
04. Grottau – years of turmoil
05. Spreewerk Grottau and its history
06. Spreewerk Grottau – factory buildings and forced labor camps
07. Spreewerk Grottau – building layout plan
08. Workers in the Spreewerk factory and their stories
09. P.38 Patents
10. Development of the P.38 pistol
11. P.38 - Technical description
12. Production at Spreewerk Grottau
13. Five series – fourteen variations
14. Spreewerk production table – dates, serial numbers, total produced
15. Outside markings of the P.38 pistol
16. Inside markings of the P.38 pistol
17. German factory production identification codes
18. Spreewerk factory code – cyq versus cvq
19. Curios and fakes – collector's tips
20. Machine gun barrel production
21. Spreewerk and the Stuka dive bomber – autopilot system
22. Waffenamt – Army office for weapons inspection
23. Czech production of parts for the P.38
24. FN (Fabrique Nationale – Belgium) production of parts for the P.38
25. Magazines – for the P.38 pistols –technical information
26. Magazines – for the Spreewerk pistols
27. Erste Nordböhmische Metallwarenfabrik – code jvd
28. Grips manufactured by the firm of Julius Posselt for Spreewerk
29. Grips of other manufacturers
30. Bakelite – manufacturer codes and mold markings
31. Volkssturm
32. Elsterwerk – the factory of Georg Elster and the VG 2 rifle
33. Development of the VG 2 rifle
34. Technical description of the VG 2 rifle
35. Spreewerk Kratzau and its history
36. Important dates in the history of P.38 production
37. Manufacturing overview – production chart
38. Photo supplement

Jan and I continued to research and add information right up to the time of printing. I cannot begin to tell you how many hours of research, writing, and translation went into this project. However, I can tell you that it was a labor of love for both Jan and I. We want this information to be available to collectors and for the truth to be known about the Spreewerk pistols.

It is a full sized (8.5- by 11-inches)  paperback with stitched binding and has 294 pages. The paper used is heavy stock gloss enamel. The last 40 pages in the photo supplement section are in color. The book also contains many never-before-seen photos and drawings.

It has been previewed and endorsed by P.38 experts Orv Reichert, Leon DeSpain, and Mark Castel. Here is some of what they had to say:

"Jan Balcar and Ron Clarin have assembled never-before-seen information
about how the Spreewerk factory operated. This is a must-read book for
anyone who has an interest in the P.38 or the history of the Second World
War; it is filled with fascinating interviews with former factory workers.
I learned some new things from the unique documents uncovered in their research."

– Mark Castel,
Advanced collector, P.38 expert
Moderator, P.38 Forum

"The history and production of the Spreewerk Company has been somewhat
of a mystery for most all P.38 collectors. New collectors often get confused
because the company’s main office was in Berlin, while the P.38s were made
in Grottau in Czechoslovakia. But now, finally, we have a reference that
clears up much of the confusion. Collectors/researchers Jan Balcar and
Ron Clarin have combined their expertise to produce a work that has been
sorely needed for years. The book will remain a must for serious P.38
collectors for many years to come.”

– Leon DeSpain
Noted P.38 collector, P.38 expert
Moderator, P.38 forum

“There has been a great deal of confusion and misinformation about what transpired at the Grottau plant in Czechoslovakia during WWII. No more – we now have a reference book for all collectors. The authors trace changes in design and all other aspects of production, and we can now also identify all of the many variations of these Czech-made P.38s. I recommend this book without reservation.”

– Orvel L. Reichert
Famed U.S. expert
Known as “Mr. P.38”
Moderator, P.38 forum

The book is available from the author at $49.95 ($41.95 plus $8.00 shipping per copy). Please specify if you would like your copy autographed when ordering. I will accept cash, check, or MO. I will also accept PayPal. The address for PayPal is 1clarin@integra.net 

The address for all other forms of payment is: 

Ron Clarin

P.O. Box 65

Lakeville, MN 55044