Thoughts on this P38

[Justin]

Need a realitive value for this fine firearm. It is marked AC-43 from what i am reading this is a walter. As you can see from the images this pistol is in great shape, little rust here and there. Sereial numbers all match

[Justin]

This came with it, safe to say this one has been fired.

[zinfull]

I would put the value at $7-800. It is the second variation and about 50,000 were made. Nice gun and is in very good shape.

Jerry

[leondes]

I think Jerry is right in there on the price. With the rust spots I can see, especially on the barrel, I would go with the lower value...$700.

Regards, Leon

[Matt Weber]

Looks like a pretty nice "AC43" . This is actually a first variation "AC43", known as the "AC43" stack. These are much more common than the second variation, known as the "AC43" inline. I would say $600-$700.

Matt

[leondes]

Hi Matt,

You might want to recheck your variation chart.

There were 3 basic variations of the ac43. The first is a "stack code" with the early frame and slide. The second is still a stack code with the late frame and slide. The third variation is the straight line.

Regards, Leon

[Grossfuss]

Thoughts on P38

Yes, I know the answer is "go out and buy a book, you cheapskate!" but can you clarify the differences in P38 frames?
Also your terminology "ac43 stack" - does this mean the "ac" is stamped over the date? - I assume "inline" implies the date code is after the "ac".
Anyway, if this is an excuse for a great string of P38 pics so much the better!
Sadly I have to make do with one of Ryton's Russian imports which is all-matching but looks reblacked to me.
Look forward to more info - thanks in advance

[dag001]

Here is a quick shot of an ac 43 single-line, aka ac 43 code P.38, Third Variation.
Serial range was only in the "m" and "n" block with only approx. 20k produced.

[dag001]

Closer shot. The marking on the slide of these "single-line" pistols seems to be more lightly stamped than the "stack" ac 43's.

[leondes]

Hi Grossfuss,

Here are the 3 variations.

1. Early frame and early slide, ac over 43 (stack code). Early frame means the horizontal line of the frame just above the trigger is straight across. Early slide means there were 2 extractor cuts.

2. Later frame and late slide, ac over 43 (stack code). Late frame means there is a reinforcing hump just below the trigger axle pin. Late slide means there was only 1 extractor cut.

3. As Denny shows, the code was place further back on the slide and in a straight line. They kept that configuration through the rest of wartime production.

Here is a link. Read and follow the links shown on my web page and I think you will understand the differences. My examples of early/late are Mausers but the same applied to Walthers.

http://lmd-militaria.com/page420.html

Regards, Leon

[Matt Weber]

Hi Matt,

You might want to recheck your variation chart.

There were 3 basic variations of the ac43. The first is a "stack code" with the early frame and slide. The second is still a stack code with the late frame and slide. The third variation is the straight line.

Regards, Leon

OOPs! I must have had a brain fart there. I totally forgot about the early/late frame and slide variations in the AC43 production. I stand corrected. This is a type 1 "AC43" stack, and I would agree with the prices state by Leon and zinful, about $700-$800.

Matt

[Grossfuss]

ac43 P38

Thanks to one and all for all the info, I can now look at P38s in a different light!
Regarding the one that started all this, it's surprising how straight the line over the trigger looks in the distant shots, but seems to have the bump in close-ups.
I can now bore people with talk of "double-cut extractor slots".
Thanks again for the time and trouble - the web-site link says it all.