Latest find, another P38! "cyq"

[Matt Weber]

I've displayed this rare holster up on this forum before, and nobody knew what it was. I now just picked up a proper model P38 to go in this holster, so now this is an awesome looking rig!
Below is the front of the holster.

Matt

[Matt Weber]

Reverse of the P38 hardshell holster. Look like a typical hardshell right? Wrong! This is a very late war (late 1944) hardshell.

[Matt Weber]

A close up view of the back of the P38 hardshell reveals the truth! Notice that there is no date, and no maker letter codes? The holster is Waffenamt "eagle WaA383".
Notice the numbers just above the right belt loop. These numbers are the maker code and the date of manufacture!!!
I'm not exactly sure what maker this is (still researching that!), but the year is 1944 (not sure of the month yet either).
Holsters marked such as this one, are extremely rare! This is only the second one I have seen like this, and it is in the best condition that I have seen! I was shocked to find this baby was for sale. I did pay out the nose for it, but trust me, for what normal P38 hardshells are selling for now, I think it was a steal!

Matt

[Matt Weber]

Holster is also marked "P38" on the back as typical of most P38 holsters.

[Matt Weber]

Here is my newest P38! It is a very late war (Probably October-Novemeber 1944), model P38, made by Spreewerke "cyq". Finish is about 95% intact. Numbers all match of course, no import markings either. Grips are probably some of the best that I have seen! Just look at them, they are screamers!

[Matt Weber]

Close up of the left side of the P38 shows us the Spreewerke code, "cyq" (Spreewerke did not use a date on thier P38s at all), along with the serial number and the "eagle 88" proof marking.
Notice the late war finish and machining markings on this gun.

[Matt Weber]

Right side view of the P38. Agian take a look at the finish, and those lovely looking grips! Man, those are just minty!

[Matt Weber]

The magazine for this P38 is in minty shape as well. It is marked "jvd" and also proof marked "eagle WaA706". this is the maker code for "Erste Norboehmische Metallwarenfabrik". This factory was a sub-contractor that made mostly magazines for Spreewerke. They were located in the Sudetenland, which was in Czech Rebublic I believe.

[Matt Weber]

Just in case you didn't notice this by now, this P38 is somewhat rare. It has the rare late war "cog" hammer on it as shown below.

[Matt Weber]

You can find these cog hammers on late war "cyq" P38s, and also on late war "AC" P38s, such as the "AC45", or even the late war HP-AC marked zero series P38s. It is believed that these "cog" hammers were produced by a subcontractor in Czech. However, since these hammers were not proof marked or have any maker codes on them, this is difficult to verify. I still think that they are neat, and no P38 collection is complete without having at least on of the "cog" hammer P38s in your collection.

Matt

[Matt Weber]

Besides the "cog" hammer, and sub-contracted magazine, this P38 also has another rare feature. It has a barrel that was produced by a sub-contractor. This barrel was made by "Brunner Waffenwerke, Brunn, in Czech. The letter code "Bh" is for this maker, and can also be found on P38 frames made for Spreewerke as well as barrels, such as this one here.
All parts made by this sub-contractor will still be accepted by Spreewerke, and will be marked "eagle/88". The only maker markings will be the letter code "Bh" (sometimes seen in all capitol letters "BH".) Other sub-contractors that made barrels include "F.N. Browning", and "Bohmische Waffenfabrik, Prag" (marked "fnh"). I think its' cool when you find P38s with sub-contractors' parts on them. Very rare as well.

Matt

[Joe N]

Pretty sweet, Matt! I have the younger brother right here, although in no where near the shape of yours! Love the P38's!!

[Joe N]

I've got the "Bh" stamped on the barrel too, forgot to mention.

[Matt Weber]

Nice looking Spreewerke P38! Yours was probably produced in late November 1944 (z block), just before the bombing of the factory in early December. You also have the "cog" hammer, and sub-contracted barrel. Cool stuff huh? "BH" also made frames for Spreewerke, and the code "BH" will be found on the left side of the frame just after the "eagle/88" proof marking. I don't have one of these, or else I would post a pic of it. Does anyone have one out there?

Matt

[Matt Weber]

Just went to the range yesterday to test fire this baby. I put 50 round threw it, and no problems at all! Although it didn't hit the target dead center, the groups were all nice and tight (a little low and to the left of center though).

The funny part was there was another guy shooting next to me. He saw my P38, and came over and asked me if that was a wartime P38? I replied "yes, of course it is!"
He then talked for about 15 minutes straight, and gave me a history of the P38, as well as German guns, tanks and basically all thier production methods of WWII.

I sat and listened to this the whole time, since he wouldn't even let me get a word in. After he was finally done, I told him how many P38s I have, and how many other German guns I have. I then showed him in my cases that I brought along a G33/40, a K98k, and my K43 sniper to shoot as well! (all of which shot great by the way!)

I then told him to check out this forum, rather than just watching the History Channel, if he wanted to learn more!

Matt