P38 Value?

[ChrisCook]

P38's

I own nine P-38's, I have never had a problem with the function on any of them, although the finish is rough on some of the later war pistols. Saying the Spreewerke pistols are late war production is erroneus. Serial production of P38's started at Spreewerke in August of 1942, Walther technicians were on loan to assist in the process. Mauser made their first delivery to the army of 700 pistols in December of 1942. Remember Mauser was finishing up it's production of Lugers prior to switching over to P38's. Some folks consider the CYQ's late war production because of the crude finish on a lot of observed pistols, but Spreewerke beat Mauser to the punch on P38 production so to speak. All this info is from Buxton's P38 books.....

That said, I reload my own ammo, and usually for me collectible weapons I load with lighter powder charges, also recommend getting replacement springs to shoot with from Wolf. Chris.....

As a sidenote to finishes...I have a 2nd variation AC41 Walther, beautiful finish on it. I also have an AC44 with a rough finish. The finish on my lone Spreewerk lies somewhere between the two in quality.

[Ronnie Fry]

Like Chris, I have, um, lets say "several" P 38's. Among them are four cyq's. They are of the various stages of the production. The "crude" finish on them is just as much a part of their history as is the beautiful finish on my "0" series, 480, and AC40. There is nothing wrong with the way any of them function. I would not hesitate to shoot any of mine!! IF there is a problem with their function, it is endemic for ALL WWII P 38's. Just like the Luger's all have problems with function when they are dirty. It matters not what mfgr.
That said, there is the issue of collectablilty. I would also agree that cyq's or cvq's are not as "popular" as the ac's or byf's. That does not make them any less collectable to me or other P 38 fans. They are as much a part of the larger picture, as any other mfgr. IMHO, the cyq is the best "bang for the buck" in our hobby. I think they are unfairly undervalued.
So with the consideration of the usual "crude" finish of cyq's, you should always look for condition. Stout and Chris also hit the nail on the head. My mentor tells me over and over that you never have to apologize for quality. As a collector, my advice is to save your money for a really nice one. If you buy any collectible item in poor condition, you'll have trouble selling it later. "You never have to apologize for quality!!"

r

[Ronnie Fry]

A decent one--

Here's one of mine. I paid $650.00 for the pistol and pebble grain holster in April of 2006.

Note it's got a "cog hammer".

[Ronnie Fry]

#2

[Ronnie Fry]

Holster

[Ronnie Fry]

Holster rear Marked cxo 4

[bodes]

Wonderful piece Ronnie ........And I cannot argue with you over quality......Quality will always outsell average/below average pieces.......Bodes