P38 advice

r.fallon

r.fallon

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Hi folks I am in need of some advice. I have the chance to purchase a P38. The thing is I know nothing about p38s. I like milsurps but I'm a long gun guy. I would like to know the rough value so I'm not going to get hosed on the deal.

It's a Spreewerke Oct 42 build all matching one mag. It may or may not be refinished I can't tell, nor do I know what to look for. The owner doesn't know if it's been refinished. It has been in his possession for 30 plus years.
 

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Hello. Quotes from various authors regarding Spreewerke P38's include remarks similar to the following;
"their pistols can generally be recognized by the rough machine work". This example may have been refinished.
Suggest you Google Spreewerke P-38 photos. As for value; is it complete, bore condition, functional? Again
Google is your friend. Cheers bogus
 
It's definitely refinished. IMHO

I've never seen one that smooth and some of the stampings aren't sharp.

It's a shooter grade IMHO, still if you can get it for $500-$600 you will not be getting "hosed"

If it comes with a period holster, bonus.

These pistols handle North American factory loads very well. They don't like the 150 grain heavy bullets and they don't appreciate HOT handloads. They have a bad habit of losing extractor/plunger/spring with that stuff.
 
Oh yeah, I see it. Looks like it's been hit with a buffing wheel or something, feathered edges. I recall an old friend, in refference to p38s, saying that "they have a lot of sharp edges to get poked by."
 
Definitely refurbished. Way to smooth for a spreewerke. Im not a fan of the grips either. They look like plastic or varnished.
 
223762 said:
Definitely refurbished. Way to smooth for a spreewerke. Im not a fan of the grips either. They look like plastic or varnished.
Click to expand...

I had a Spreewerke P38 with stamped, sheet metal grips. It was the only one I've ever seen in person.

Those grips appear to be the normal Bakelite type, with a bit of oil on them.

OP, that pistol is a shooter, but it's also a period piece that's representative of the type.

When I had several P38s in my collection, I also had and still have a post war Manhurin made P38 HiPower. It's a mixmaster of wartime parts and new manufactured parts. That is/was my shooter. The collectibles didn't need any more abuse/wear, which only lowers value/collectability
 
cantom said:
I agree.
Click to expand...

As much as I respect this opinion, I disagree with it.

If the OP can get the pistol for a reasonable price, he should do so.

Other than the refinishing there isn't anything wrong with that pistol and it's a shooter.

IMHO, he should pick it up, shoot it and if he doesn't like it, sell it.

In the meantime, if he likes it and wants a collector grade P38, he won't purchase a beater, but wait for a jewel.

P38s used to be common. A half dozen pack of field grade pistols could be had for $300 back in the mid 60s.

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to cherry pick through close to a thousand of them in 1970. Several of the pistols in that lot were very close to pristine.

That was then and this is now. Those pistols, especially with wartime markings, don't grow on trees. Just look at what the Russian refurbs are selling for.
 
By the way, Steel Challenge with a P1 is a hoot. One of the site sponsors has magazines for a very reasonable price. You can fit two single stack magazines in each double stack pouch, so plenty of ammunition available on the belt.
 
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