Nice P38

[leondes]

Hi germacollector,

In some cases, I could be pretty sure that an item is original but, in most cases, I'm not sure from the pictures I see. There are certain things about certain guns that I look for to determine originality. If a given gun doesn't have those "keys", then it is just a guess as to originality, in most cases. A picture just won't show up the finish that you can see with the item in your hand.

I would buy a gun from e-stand but only with an inspection period. I have bought a few guns from pictures. In some cases, I have been surprised to find the gun to be nicer than the picture showed. In other cases, pictures did not show problems that I could easily see with the gun in my hand. Unless the price made the deal so good that even a bad gun would be acceptable, I would rarely buy a gun from pictures if I couldn't return it.

I didn't mean to insult your pictures. Taking good pictures normally requires experience and a camera with a good macro setting. Your closeups of the slide are obviously out of focus. Not that my pictures are the greatest but I worked off and on for about 6 months to find the lighting setup that worked for me. Lighting is really more important than the quality of the camera.

That has been my experience and you asked for opinions. I gave mine. That's the best I can do.

Regards, Leon

[germacollector]

No Besslein,
I don't think it is made post-war or a replica.
But I just want to know for sure
And indeed I have some good opinions now.
But more opinions are welcome

[Douglas Jr.]

I think you already have some good points regarding this P38. There isn't much to say about it, sorry.

From what we can see in the pictures, it seems to be an original wartime P38 made by Mauser. Its finish shows a weary-look but that's it.

Postwar pistols have different marks in the slide and it simply doesn't worth to forger a wartime gun like a byf43 from a Walther P1, for instance. These guns are still available in reasonable quantity and do not demand high prices.

But if you are not feeling confortable with this pistol, just let it go and wait for another one that will please you completely.

Wishes,

Douglas.

[germacollector]

Thanks for your reaction Douglas.
You seem someone who knows what he is talking about.
And this beauty is already in my collection!
Seems to be an al original gun and all matching.
And the finish of the gun looks better when you have it in your hands.
As mentioned before, it is almost impossible to make very good photos.

[LT69]

Hi germacollector

Is this an ex Ryton Arms deac P38? If so it will be probably be a Russian capture piece. If it has a X stamped on the barrel, slide or receiver it is for sure.
Most of the deactivated P38's submitted to the proofhouse after 2002 are either Russian capture WW2 German examples or post war P1's.

If its a bringback it may have UK proof marks on it assuming it was on an FAC that is !

Cheers

[germacollector]

No LT,
The gun isn't deativated it is live and kicking.
And has no marking X or whatsoever!
It belonged to the uncle of the last owner

[Douglas Jr.]

Pictures are tough to take but it is not impossible. You can try something like this:

[germacollector]

Douglas my first photo looks a lot like this one.
Only without medals etc
But if you click on the image it will enlarge.
Don't understand what you mean I think

[Josh Beckett]

Is this a section 7.3 pistol?

[LT69]

I tried to get a nice byf42 P38 as a 7(3) on my FAC.

No way I was told. Not of significant historical interest apparently.

The only live ones I've seen here in the UK have either been held as a war trophies or have been held on a dealers Section 5.

BTW: It's a five year mandatory prison sentence for possession of a prohibited weapon here, (as a live P38 would be under Section 5(1)aba of the Firearms Ammendment Act 1997) with no mitigation allowed. You get caught with one without the correct paperwork and you go to jail.

[Josh Beckett]

I dont see the harm in owning a P38(or any other pistol for that matter). Plus I doubt a p38 will be used in a hold up or murder.

[paddywhack]

sadly it doesnt matter! it kind of the same here in ireland!with the gun crime going on the police like to be seen to be doing something even if its putting a collector away whoes never done a bad thing in his life!!!!

[Josh Beckett]

It is wrong, even if the gun isnt collectible someone trying to defend their home shouldnt be put away.

[paddywhack]

course it is but the fact is the policeare doing this sadly!!!

[Josh Beckett]

This happens in the US as well, but it is in the form of gun buybacks, they say it is so a criminal can turn in his gun, but usually the criminals buy the 25 dollar guns and turn them in for more money, or they steal guns and turn them in, I saw a thing about a borchardt pistol that was destroyed. Sad.