Walther P-38

Russian force matched numbers are electro pencil from what I've seen. Literally looks like hand written engraving.

Original German stamping is clean block lettering.
 
Thanks that's what I thought. Even I can verify that. Pretty sure the numbers are OG stamped, not electro-pencil. If so, does that make the $899 more in line?
 
Dfariswheel said:
Be aware that the top cover on the slide is known to pop off if it's [losing] tension of the "fingers" that hold it in place, or if the cover was improperly installed. If it comes off, parts spray everywhere.
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And on this topic...

DON'T remove the cover unless you need to access parts underneath for repair; it should NOT be removed for routine cleaning or inspection!

I've read that gunsmiths in the 50's and 60's would add crosspins through the slide and "fingers" to retain a loosened cover; if you find a pistol that's been so modified, now you know why.

FWIW the later Bundeswehr P1s had an improved "finger" design to improve the chances that the cover will stay put after repeated removal, but you STILL shouldn't press your luck by doing so regularly.
 
P38's were manufactured well after WWII, into the 60's I believe and then morphed into the P1. There are variants to be found even today.
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The 100th Anniversary models were made in the '80s.
Of course, does "made" mean they started from scratch, or were the frames NOS, and enough available to justify a limited run?
 
The barrel of my 1943 Walther made P-38 is rough but plenty accurate with jacketed bullets. The firing pin for the P-1 is different, should you need to replace it make sure you get one for the P-38.
 
You can get a surplus good condition P1 with the thickened slide, hex bolt, and throw on some wood or bakelite repro grips to have a P38 facsimile at a really affordable cost and it is nice a strengthened to absorb more rounds.
 
I think that $899 is way too much money for a refinished P38. For that kind of $ you can find an original condition gun, sometimes with a WWII holster.

Mauser manufactured P38's (byf and later svw), seem to bring the most money. Then Walther (ac) and lastly Spreewerk (cyq). Chances are good that if the P38 you are looking at has been refinished, it is a Russian capture and will be worth substantially less than the same gun in original, unrefinshed condition.

I found an unmolested ac44 with the original holster here locally for $850 and have seen others for $700 for just the gun.
 
Carmady said:
$899? Forget about it.

Give them a briefcase full of old undies.
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That's too much money, OP. One can get a Col. Lemat's grapeshot revolver for that!

Seriously, get one of the surplus P1s on the market out now. If you want it to look like a Nazi P38, get some reproduction Bakelite or wood grips, even originals if you can get a solid price. It'll look damn near exactly the same and will be damn near exactly the same, but will be very affordable and with a thicker slide and hex nut model, well durable to boot.
 
Well, I checked the #'s out and everything is stamped and matching. It is for sure a Russian capture as it has the X mark and was imported through ATI Rochester NY. It is very clean, so I bought it. Grips are very nice, and the barrel is good. No rust or pitting. I buy to hold, so if I overpaid a little I can live with that. If I find a perfect one that is not a Russian capture I will buy it and sell this one or keep two. I really appreciate all the advice. Thanks Jeff PS Not much for posting my guns on the interweb, but when I get the Photobucket fiasco figured out I will put up some snaps.
 
A Russian Capture could be all original matching, but the heavy dipped reblue, and a possible "X" mark reduces the value from an original bring-back gun.
 
Get several good photo's and post them over at the p38forum,com forum site and those fine fellows can tell you everything you want to know and then some.
I inherited my Dad's P-38 and after posting the photo's I learned a lot, so much I downloaded and printed the photo's and all the comments and but the package in a binder for the next of kin who gets it after me...lays out the whole story and history of this particular WWII P-38...the information they provided was just amazing. And they advised me of it's value.
Mine is not a collectors piece, roughly made cyq , refinished , imported from Russia back to the US and sold through Klein's mail order house...in 1961 it was legal, I remember the postman bringing the box to our house.
It's a fun shooter and brings back memories of my Dad.
The issue grips are usually valuable, Altamonte has real walnut replacements that look and feel great and are very reasonably priced. The ones I got look just like the factory only walnut. I put the issue grips away and shoot with the Altamont's .
If you want to shoot it Wolff makes replacement recoil spring kits , extra magazines are available and I've worked up some nice easy recoiling loads for mine. They are a lot of fun....nice score,
Gary
 
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Well, early in 1944 production, at least. That was the year things really started to fall apart for the Third Reich; early 1944 production was not too bad, but by the end of the year, Allied bombing had taken its toll and the Allies were closing in on the German heartland.

Jim
 
Model12Win said:
Inspired the Beretta '51...
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Perhaps in the respect that both pistols use a locking block, but the M1951 is otherwise largely dissimilar, being SAO with a (goofy) crossbolt non-decocking safety.

The 92/M9 introduced DA/SA operation and the 92S introduced the slide-mounted decocking and hammer-blocking safety; I'd argue that the latter model is the first Beretta 9mm that was truly similar to the P-38 in operation.
 
CalmerThanYou, There is a less often seen force matching technique which uses multiple guns. I've heard of a few big militaria collectors that go thru many P'08s and sort parts to make matching pistols.
That sounds like a lot of work but a mismatch P'08 might bring a grand while an 'all matching' can hit 5 grand or more.
 
My serial # is 1786 a AC 44
So fairly early in the run if my reading is correct.
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Mine is an ac44 number 4079a, so produced not long after yours.

IMG_5287-L.jpg
 
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