The Walther P38 pistol in 9mm was a standard issue weapon of the Second World War, and got a deserved reputation for its ease of handling and durability. One of the few double action pistols ever issued to any army, the weapon was issued as a sidearm for many German Army personnel during the war. The pamphlet (officially H.Dv254) covers handling, stripping, assembly and firing together with the range practices to be fired by all who carried the weapon. Although never as famous as the Luger pistol, the weapon was issued to far more troops than the Luger ever was, being carried by all other ranks who were involved with vehicles (transport or fighting) as well as many junior officers, and even medical orderlies on the eastern front, despite the rules of the Geneva Convention, which forbade the carrying of firearms by medical personnel. The original is dated as valid from 1 February 1940.