P38 Magazine Mania!

[Matt Weber]

Well, if some of you read the thread about the Spreewerk P38s, then you know I talked with Per Mathisen about his book, "Magazine Spotters Guide to P38 Pistols". I must say that I was impressed with this book, and would recommend it to any serious P38 collectors out there.

After reading Pers' book, I decided to go through my colleciton of spare P38 mags, and see how many rare or unusual P38 mags that I had!? I was quite surprised on how many I found, and wanted to share them with you all.


Here is the first one. This one is a magazine produced by Erste Nordbohmische Metalwarenfabrk, (code "jvd"), notice on the left side of this mag is marked with a very large "P38" and below that is a large "U". According to Pers' book, the "U" stand for "unhardened", which means the magazine lips were not hardened.

[Matt Weber]

Here is another late war magazine produced by "jvd". Late in the war (about mid1944), the follower was changed as well. The late war follower with be a stamped with two ribs as the one shown here is. This was done because the followers were no longer hardened either, and the double rib added strengh.

[Matt Weber]

I've had this mag for a while now, and always wondered what is was for. I knew it was a Walther mag of course, but didn't know what it was for. Some people told me (incorrectly), that it was for an early "AC" no date P38.

Well, in fact, this is a 4th variation armourers' spare magazine issued by Walther. You see Wather made several spare magazines that were not issued with pistols. Instead they were included with other spare parts in an armourers' kit, and sent to the army as such. These mags arrived at the front with no pistols, and the armourers' simply used them to replaced worn out, damage, broken, or missing magazines from the soldiers at the front. There are 4 different variations of these spare mags, and can be traced from 1940-1943.

This one would be a 1943 or later vintage, since it is marked, "P.38v." and also only a single "eagle/359" on the spine.
Cool huh?

[Matt Weber]

Here is another "jvd" marked magazine. This one is exactly like the first one shown above, only the "P38" and "U" are located on the right side of the magazine!? Not sure why it is on a different side?, but Pers' book states that all of these located on the right side will have a very faint "U" marking as this one does.

[Matt Weber]

Here is a really cool mag. This mag was made by the subcontractor, "jvd". However, it was accepted and issued with a pistol by Walther, and bears the Walther proof marking "eagle/359" as well as the "jvd", "eagle/706". Very cool!

[Matt Weber]

"jvd" marked magazines can be marked on the spine, on the left side, or sometimes both! They can be proof marked "eagle/WaA706" or not! Here are two different "jvd" side marked magazines.

Hope you all liked the P38 magazine show! If you want, I can show some of the major manufacturers' magazines as well! (eagle/359", "eagle/135", "eagle/WaA135", and "eagle/88")

Matt

[Matt Weber]

Jeff,

I was in the same boat. I had all of these magazines, and didn't know about all the markings. I got Pers' book now, and in the book he really goes into great detail about all of the P38 magazines that are known to exist today, and what all these markings stand for. It really is an impressive book for serious collectors.

As for collection interests. Yes, speciallizing in Magazine collecting is a great hobby and not as expensive. I decided long ago to specialize in holster collecting, for the same reasons. Now some of the holsters I have are actually worth more than some of my pistols! However, holster collecting is still far cheaper than gun collecting! See my thread, "Holster Heaven" to see some of my latest P38 holsters that I found!

Matt

[Jeff Ashenfelter]

Matt,
Great information. Thanks for sharing it with us uneducated masses. I have seen a lot of these markings over the years and always wondered about them. I suppose some day we will all be just collecting magazines when the prices of the pistols goes too high. Thanks again for the info, Jeff A

[pmatisen]

P.38 Magazines

Hi there !

When you collect P.38 pistols, collecting magazines too becomes fascinating and a interesting hobby. Glad this book can be of some help to the collectors of the P.38.
For those who want this book you can contact the following in the US.

Greysolon Arms.
Phone 218-7248387
E-mail gagoods@cpinternet.com


Regards from Norway
Per Mathisen

[Matt Weber]

Thanks Per!

I was very impressed with the number of unique P38 magazines that I had in my collection that I didn't know much about! Thanks to your book, I now know what they all are. Now I just need to find one of those mags with the "a" or "b" markings! That would complete my P38 magazine collection!

Matt

[P08]

You'll hear no complaints from me in case you post more pictures of magazines


By the way; how do one post a picture? Html link from other site?

[Matt Weber]

Mikkel,

I believe you must be an association member first, in order to post pics.

Matt

[jaeger_45056]

Thanks for the great pics and info Matt.

P08, you can always link html to an image stored on a server.

[Matt Weber]

Thanks Jaeger,

I really can't take credit for the info though. I really didn't know what all these P38 magazine were until I got Pers' book. He deserves all the credit for the knowledge that he has provided on P38 magazines.

Matt

[Reisingowner]

Approprite P38 magazine?

Am new to this site.
Just got a two line AC 43 P38, serial numbered in the 300 c block.
Am fairly ignorant as to proper magazines.
What would be an appropriate magazine for this WWII pistol?
Thank you for your time.