Walther p38 value

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Salibas007

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Can anyone help me with the value of an old Walther P38 in excellent condition ?

I'm trying to figure out the manufactured date, but I'm having a hard time finding any good links. The serial number is 6 digits: 364###

Any help would be greatly appreciate.
 
I've been watching them for a few months as I'm trying to find one, it seems matching unrefurbished go for around $5-700 sans accessories like a holster. Obviously this doesn't speak for the more rare maker codes/ dates
 
Salibas007 said:
Can anyone help me with the value of an old Walther P38 in excellent condition ?

I'm trying to figure out the manufactured date, but I'm having a hard time finding any good links. The serial number is 6 digits: 364###

Any help would be greatly appreciate.
Click to expand...

Yours is an early batch (from late 1963 onwards) of the post war P38 with an aluminum alloy frame. Not recommended for extensive shooting since the frame is unreinforced with a hex steel bolt. Later the pistol was re-named to the P1. It may have some value for the Walther pistol collectors but the slide is ruined by the Interarms Virginia importer markings. Apparently, the pistol comes from the USA.
This is mine for comparison for which I paid around $500 including a holster and tax:
a9MPtAL.jpg

jpNenZ1.jpg
 
What material is the frame made of? Steel or aluminum? From the tool marks it looks like steel.
Apparently some early ones had steel frames, which is rather uncommon for a post war production.
 
I just picked up a p1 from Tenda as I couldn't find a wartime p38
Their add stated they were unissued units, has anyone got one from them and how is the quality? Are they really new/unissued or are they refurbished like most milsurp stuff?
From what I read all p-1 pistols had aluminum frames and some have a reinforcing hex bolt installed
Some of the very early post war p38 supposedly had steel frames like the wartime ones
Everyone on the walther p38 forum says to shoot the post war pistols using only the cheap Winchester white box ammo or use a low power round to avoid beating the aluminum frames
 
polaris said:
What material is the frame made of? Steel or aluminum? From the tool marks it looks like steel.
Apparently some early ones had steel frames, which is rather uncommon for a post war production.
Click to expand...

See my post #7 above: aluminum alloy. That's why it needed a hex reinforcing bolt later. The very first few delivered in 1957 had a steel frame. They are extremely rare.
 
Deathrawt said:
Everyone on the walther p38 forum says to shoot the post war pistols using only the cheap Winchester white box ammo or use a low power round to avoid beating the aluminum frames
Click to expand...

Only those P1's WITHOUT a reinforcing hex bolt and some other reinforced parts (before 1967). I have the one WITH a hex bolt (post #7) and a few other reinforced parts (e.g.slide, hammer, slide release lever) and I shoot any type of ammo I can buy. It goes flawlessly after 1000 rounds.
 
hatman1793 said:
The tool marks on the frame make it appear to be a steel frame, but one cannot be sure. You could take off the slide and weigh it. Steel is definitely heavier. If it is a steel frame then you have a fine shooter P1.

If the frame is aluminum, it's not a lost cause. Light target loads could work....
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Read earlier posts. It's an aluminum alloy frame not steel. And you don't need to weigh the frame to check if it's steel or alloy. It's sufficient to check if magnet is attracted to the frame. Steel will attract magnet and alloy will not. The tool marks can be seen on alloy. It's much softer than steel. Mine (post #7) has the same markings.
I bet it's definitely steel frame.
 
05RAV said:
Read earlier posts. It's an aluminum alloy frame not steel. And you don't need to weigh the frame to check if it's steel or alloy. It's sufficient to check if magnet is attracted to the frame. Steel will attract magnet and alloy will not. The tool marks can be seen on alloy. It's much softer than steel. Mine (post #7) has the same markings.
I bet it's definitely steel frame????.
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where does it say that Mr. knowitall?
We had a valuable question and expected to receive an answer from someone in the know, the OP, not you.
 
Quote Originally Posted by 05RAV View Post
Read earlier posts. It's an aluminum alloy frame not steel. And you don't need to weigh the frame to check if it's steel or alloy. It's sufficient to check if magnet is attracted to the frame. Steel will attract magnet and alloy will not. The tool marks can be seen on alloy. It's much softer than steel. Mine (post #7) has the same markings.
I bet it's definitely steel frame.
Click to expand...

polaris said:
where does it say that Mr. knowitall?
Click to expand...

His serial number: 364393. It indicates that his pistol was produced roughly after October 1963 which started with approx. SN 230000. At that time only an alloy frame was in production.
Educate yourself: http://www.vffwts.de/en/articles/57-artikel/160-die-pistole-p-1-der-bundeswehr-teil-1.html
 
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Unfortunately, I'm back home and i don't have access to the gun from the city.

I thought the gun was special and this why I thought maybe I can buy it and flip it back. But from what I see, it's not worth the 600$ that was being asked.

Thanks for all the ones who replied
 
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