Any expert about Walther P38?
- Thread starter dauph197
- Start date
gewehr76
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
4 main parts should have same serial number. Look for bright bore and paint in s and f. bluing should be same on all parts. Early war guns are different animal than later war, where quality was no longer a priority.
Lungorthin
Regular
- Location
- Calgary, AB
The stamped letters determines which factory it was made in
byf - Mauser
ac - Walther
cyq - Spreewerke
Usually Spreewerke quality is not as good as Walther or Mauser, and they'll usually sell for quite less money.
byf - Mauser
ac - Walther
cyq - Spreewerke
Usually Spreewerke quality is not as good as Walther or Mauser, and they'll usually sell for quite less money.
An alternative suggestion. Instead of trying to get a WWII Walther P38 that would costs somewhere in the range $600-800 and would, usually, be in a relatively crappy condition for shooting why not to switch to a Walther P1? It is much more modern pistol, aluminum alloy frame with a steel hex pin for reinforcement and a steel slide. It is a brand new surplus pistol from the Bundeswehr magazines. It looks identical to the P38. A few months ago I purchased the Walther P1 for measly $459+tax with an original leather holster from Durham Outdoors. They still have 2 left in stock. I enjoy shooting it very much. It has good trigger pull at about 6 lbs and is quite accurate at 20 meters.
Just my $0.02
Along with the hex pin and matching numbers, look for the beefed-up "fat" slide.
Most of the P1's being sold as "brand new" are in fact factory refurbished to like new condition. Check the numbers by the trigger guard to verify this. Also, most of the refurbished ones have light storage marks on the frame or slide.
Do your online research before you buy. Caveat emptor.
Most of the P1's being sold as "brand new" are in fact factory refurbished to like new condition. Check the numbers by the trigger guard to verify this. Also, most of the refurbished ones have light storage marks on the frame or slide.
Do your online research before you buy. Caveat emptor.
My Walther P1 was produced in February 1977. It came brand new from the Bundeswehr surplus. It has a Bundeswehr property stamp on the left side of the frame. The following parts are reinforced: slide, frame (a steel hex cross-bolt), slide release, hammer, round level indicator and sight. It also has a two part barrel (an exterior barrel with interior barrel tube), spring at ejector and a phosphate coating. Obviously, all numbers match. No scratches on the slide; received it in a very good condition from Durham Outdoors. I really enjoy shooting it. Despite a light aluminum frame, its recoil is surprisingly muted. It’s definitely a keeper.
All those upgrades were introduced to the P1 before 1974-75 so all P1’s produced after 1975 must have all the goodies.
05RAV, Congrats! If Durham Outdoors is selling mint unissued P1's for $459 + tax, you got a major bargain. Brand new ones would probably be almost twice that price.
Mine is a refurb. You can tell it's a rebuild cause after the serial number on the frame there is a date, W1.78. This indicates that it was refurbished in 1978.
Sounds like you got a good score!
Mine is a refurb. You can tell it's a rebuild cause after the serial number on the frame there is a date, W1.78. This indicates that it was refurbished in 1978.
Sounds like you got a good score!
