P38 Question

[odiestreasures]

Can some one tell me what block series they stopped numbering the clips on ac42 P38s.


Thank You
Odell

[Joe N]

Apparently in the "c" block later on. I have an early numbered ac42 in teh C block. Hope this helps,
Joe

[Matt Weber]

Odell,

Magazine numbering by Walther for the P38 was stopped during the "AC42" production in the middle of the "d" letter block.

Matt

[odiestreasures]

Thank you all for your help. I picked up an ac42 last evening
with a matching mag. It is mid c block range. Was wondering when they stopped the numbered mags.



Thanks
Odell

[FW 200]

Then how is it that according to Buxton as well as Fjestad, for many years, say the numbering stopped around 2000 B ?

[Matt Weber]

Actually I just read through Buxtons' book right now, and on page 181, he states, "By the time the mid "f" range was reached all practices of magazine numbering was abandonded entirely and was never used again by Walther in any case."

So Buxton states that the numbering continued until the "f" range. Here is my theory on the subject. I believe the practice was stopped at the middle of the "d" block, but like usual there was probably some spill over into the late "d" and "e" block of magazines that were numbered. So by the time it was completely stopped, it was the "f" block. I believe that is what Buxton is saying here, and I believe he is correct.

FW200, Where did you read that it was stopped at 2000b? I've never heard of that before!? Perhaps you are thinking of the positioning of the serial number? Which did change in from a horizontal position, to a vertical position in 1942, and it wasn't until the "b" block that the vertical position was consistantly evident. This is what Buxton also states on page 181 as well. Is that what you were thinking of?

So, in conclusion the serial numbering of magazines did stop in the mid "d" block, but continued into the "e" and "f" blocks. After the mid "f" block it was gone forever.

Clear as mud! Hope this straightens things out for everyone!

Matt

[FW 200]

In Fjestad's Blue Book, 26'th ed., ( also in every other edition I have ), pg. 729. I sold my Buxton series a few years ago, but I take your word what it says. I have seen three P-38's w/ numbered mags in thirty-five years of gun shows- two ac-40's and an ac-41 that I used to own. I don't see the guns that a lot of other guys get to see because I mainly go to military shows now. 0-mid "D" block would mean close to 45K pistols w/at least one numbered mag. per gun. Thanks, Charlie

[leondes]

My understanding is that they stopped numbering the mags by about the end of the "c" block. I have never seen or heard of a "d" block mag. It wouldn't surprise me if there's one or a few out there but, I don't believe they numbered through the "d" block on a regular basis.

I have spare ac42 numbered mags in the no letter suffix block, "a" block, "b" block and "c" block but no "d" block.

Regards, Leon

[Matt Weber]

Leon,

I just checked Pers' book on P38 magazines, and he states that the numbering stopped in the middle of the "d" block as well. I'm not saying they are common guys. It's just one letter block, and only half at that. That would mean 5,000 pistols or less! How many survived the war? very few I'm sure, since these were made in 1942 and had another 3 years of war to survive. I believe I have seen at least one "d" block numbered mag, although I can't remember where I saw it, and I don't personally have one.

I believe Per is correct though, and I believe Buxtons' statements are also correct. I'm sure there was some spill over into the late "d" and even "e" blocks. I'm also sure these are really scarce since we don't ever see these.

Matt

[Bill Grist]

"C' Block

Here is my 'C' Block AC42 P-38.. That I posted a while back...BILL

[Matt Weber]

Super looking rig Bill! I always liked those "cxb" 1942 dated holsters, because the "2" looks so different on them. Never figured out why though?

Matt

[Greg Sebring]

With so many mismatched mags, how does one tell what year the mag was made. I have an "AC41" that has a bastard re-stamped mag to match the P.38's s/n of 1533c. The second mag that came with pistol is s/n'd 7419b. I believe they have the same markings other than the s/n. You can see traces of the original mag s/n under the restamp. It'd be nice to know if it's the mate to 7419b.

Greg

[odiestreasures]

Bill, that is one nice set. I had a ac41 rig like that several years ago and let it get away. Thanks for to all of you for the comments.


Odell

[Matt Weber]

Greg,

To answer your question. Each year magazine is a little different. For example an early "AC41" magazine, lets' say "a" block with have the serial number on the base of the mag in a horizontal position. It will aslo have two "eagle/359" proof marks on the spine, one high and one low. Now an "AC42" mag in the "a" block will probably have a horizontal numbering, or it may have a vertical number of the serial number, but it will only have a single "eagle/359" proof on the spine.

I don't have time now to explain all the other different mags for P38, but just for the Walther mags, there are slight differences on just about every single year!! If you are interested in P38 mags, I would suggest buying Per Mathisons' book, "Magazine Spotters Guide to P38 Pistols". It has every single P38 mag in there!

Matt