P38

[Krasni]

I just acquired a P38 and wanted to know if anyone has any knowledge to drop on me. I took it on trade at a show and really don't know much about them at all. It looks 100% and other than a few codes it's hard to tell one from another. Supposedly it was a surrender weapon but no paperwork so no telling on authenticity.

It has code 'cvq', serial 5370 stamped throughout with a trailing 'z'. On the right side of the barrel there's a "B h". From my rudimentary investigation it's a Feb 1945 make. Looks like the eagle holding an "88" is there as well.

Actually the barrel is marked 'cyq', read there might have been some die break or something towards the end of the war making the stamp cvq - but that's just from a google search.

Thanks!

Eric

Edit: The guy I got this from said it was surrendered to a member of a general's staff (his father-in-law) and is unfired. Obviously I can't confirm that but it's in pretty dang good shape. No holster with it.

[mx'r]

Lucky bastard![Beer]

[gcrookston]

SpreeWerke, in Spandau.

Where did you verify date of manufacture? They manufactured millions of them from 1941-45. They used a 4 digit serial number with an alpha suffix. When they got to "z" they started over again with "a". Unlike the other manufacturers cyq didn't date their pistols (for instance, a 1943 mauser P38 would be byf43, a walther made in 42 would be ac42).

Of the 3 manufacturers (Walther and Mauser being the other two), cyq guns are the least desirable to collectors because of the crude machine tool marks and anything but fine finish (the plant were they were made machined artillery primarily).

There were some transitions that took place during the course of manufacture, like the added hump at the trigger pin (1st quarter 43), dismissal of waffenampts on all but major parts (late 42), phosphate finish (late 44), fn barrels and slides that will give you a pretty good idea of when it was made. But unless the Russians discovered the factory records in the last ten years, I wasn't aware the dates could be verified for this manufacturer.

PM me privately and we can discuss further. I've been collecting german small arms for over 25 years, primarily Mauser manufacture.

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj19/gcrookston/toys1mx.jpg

Great find by the way. They are interesting pieces of history and fun shooters.

[Krasni]

Thanks for the input. I found the date code here: http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/aspr_copy1.jpg

Found on their forum. Supposedly some info about the codes: http://forums.p38forum.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=14249

I just know I have zero knowledge and figured there were people like you on here crookston :)

I'll try and get pictures tomorrow.

Eric

[gcrookston]

Thanks for the input. I found the date code here: http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/aspr_copy1.jpg

Found on their forum. Supposedly some info about the codes: http://forums.p38forum.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=14249

I just know I have zero knowledge and figured there were people like you on here crookston :)

I'll try and get pictures tomorrow.

Eric

--Shows you how old my library is. The factory was looted by the Russians after the war, along with Mauser's, and these records were thought lost/destroyed as late as 2000... I've been a member of the Luger forum for over 10 years.

[Krasni]

Here's the P38. Let me know what you think.

http://www.shootersroost.com/P38.php

(The first 15 images cycle thru, then the last 9)

[mx'r]

Is this somehting that you would consider selling? History is awesome.

[Krasni]

I wanted to find out as much as possible about it first. Google helps but not the same as speaking with someone that really knows the deal.

[mx'r]

I'll offer my shity pocket knife, 13 quarters, and a bag (small) of dorito's for that old 9mm p38.

[Krasni]

I'll consider if you throw in some chewed bubble gum but only if it's from the bottom of the water fountain in Boulder City Hall.

[sneakerd]

Metal looks dry as a old bone- how about giving it a little help in that area? Niice late-war cog hammer, that's a point in its favor. Looks to me like some judicious scrubbing is needed in the bore. Take that sucker all down, spray liberally with WD40, get an old toothbrush from your wife's bathroom and go have fun for an hour. It'll probably come out looking like a fresh picked cherry. Then we want more pics of your new baby. Find the right holster, say a '44 date softshell, an extra Spreewerke mag and you have a complete, righteous rig that you can display proudly.