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**Mike C** · 03-22-2002, 07:30 PM

Hi,

There should be a letter code and a two digit year date stamped on the receiver - e.g. cyq 44 (which, if memory serves, is for Spree Works, 1944). In any case, these are fairly well known - post them and you should have your information soon. Cheers

Mike

**Matt Weber** · 03-22-2002, 09:21 PM

Yes, Post the markings on the gun or pics of it, and I can help you out. By the way, FYI Spreewerke did not date thier guns like Mauser and Walther did.

Matt

**Mike C** · 03-22-2002, 09:43 PM

Thanks Matt,

Had a Spree Works and a Walther (AC?) P-38 many years ago - they are long gone but I remember the some of the basic number and date codes. Cheers,

Mike

**Matt Weber** · 03-23-2002, 08:52 PM

Mike,

Too bad you sold them. I love P38s! That is the main focus of my gun collection. I am always looking for more! In fact I just got two new ones comming in. One is an AC44 (Walther), and the other one is a Zero series (Walther)!!

Walther started out marking thier P38s with the Walther banner, then they switched to the code "480", and then finally to the "AC" code.

Mauser began thier P38s with the code "byf". In 1945 they changed to the "svw" code.

Spreewerke used the code "cyq" on thier guns. However in Dec. 1944 the factory was bombed, and poduction was moved to Waffonfabrik Jos. Rathgeber whose code is "cvq", but was assembled from parts made by Spreewerke (eagle/88).

Matt

**mott5ranch** · 03-24-2002, 12:04 PM

Carl and Greg

...both have some German WWII weapons. I think Carl has this P-38 pistol with holster. We plan to crank up the coyote caller and sit around the campfire at the watering hole and see if these old German guns still work.

Are these P-38's as loud as the Lugers?

**Kevin Sanders** · 04-02-2002, 08:41 AM

looks like "byf" ; date is "43"

Serial number on both receiver and barrel is 7658.

All help appreciated. Thanks.

Kevin

**Matt Weber** · 04-04-2002, 09:12 AM

What you have is a P38 made by Mauser, Obendorf in 1943. The serial number should have a letter suffix. This letter will indicate the month of assembly. You shoud also have several proof marks on the gun. They should be the E/135, and will be marked on the left side of the frame (just above the trigger), left side of the barrel (just in front of the locking block), on either side of the locking block (one will be E/135, and the other will just be a nazi eagle), and you should have two on the right side of the slide, along with a nazi eagle (test fire proof).

Matt

**Matt Weber** · 04-06-2002, 08:29 PM

Zero Series!

The Zero-Series has arrived!

It is a real beauty too!

S/n-010400. There were only 13,000 of these made!

Here is the best part;
I just went to a gun show today, and found a guy who had a box load of P38 magazines. I looked through them, and found, not one, but two Zero-series magazines!!!!

Of course I picked them both up (since he was only asking $40!! Obviously he didn't know what he had!?

) I also picked up some E/135 and E/359, and a minty "jvd" E/706. I also have an extra zero series mag now, if anyone is interested in it, please feel free to contact me!

Does anyone have a 1939 or 1940 dated P38 holster for sale? Or an undated one with the WaA? If so, please contact me ASAP!!

Matt

**Kevin Sanders** · 04-08-2002, 01:13 PM

More Mauser P-38

Matt-

Thanks for your expertise as this is not my area and I appreciate the feedback.

Yes - serial number on front just below barrel has what "lloks like" a lower case "e" - not very ledgible with the naked eye; on the left side of the weapon on the slide and just above the trigger housing are the same serial numbers whith a letter which looks "cursive" and a mix between what could be a cursive "e" or "c" OR it could be a capital fancy cursive "L" with a top loop that curves almost in to itself (why it doesn't look like an e - it doesn't connect on the inside".... does this description ring a bell with you ?

Also: above the trigger on the left side, just left of the slide catch, is what lloks like small eagle wings with 135 under it; on the right side slide are three distinct markings which left to right; again looks like the eagle wings with 135 under it, then the complete nazai eagle, then another eagle wing with 135 under it.

The holster is in good shape - just worn, naturally - therre looks like there was some markings on the inner flap, but they are not legible - although it came with 2 clips (unmarked except P38), it is of the holster type with NO spare magazine container on the outside.

Any more info you can provide, especially ID'ing the mysterious marking for "month" is appreciated. I lived in Germany, courtesy od Uncle Sam for 3 years and speak reasonable conversational German, but I cannot make out what that letter is suposed to be. I even looked into my German "Fraktur- Luftwaffe" fonts I put into Word and cannot get it.... I hope that you can visualize it...

Tahnks again and cheers

Kevin

**Kevin Sanders** · 04-08-2002, 01:16 PM

Mauser P-38

Matt-

By the way - seems that I should re-read my posts for typos before I post - hope you can get the gist....

KAS

**Matt Weber** · 04-08-2002, 06:53 PM

Kevin,

Your lucky! Uncle Sam sent me to the Desert, and then to Japan! Do you know what a German blooded American does in Japan?

The letter on your pistol could be an "l" in the script type writting which Mauser did use. However, all the letter suffixes should match! If your letter is an "l" then your gun was probably made in late 1943 (I would guess about October). Also check your magazine, you should also have an E/135 proof on the back side of it.

Your holster puzzles me?

All P38 holsters should have a magazine port. Also all P38 holsters should have a WaA marking, and a date. Later war types might just have a single number for the date such as "4" for 1944.
Is you holster a Hardshell type or break-a-way? Is is pebble grain?
I am also a holster nut! I have, what is considered to be the "holy grail" of P38 holsters!

It is a 1944 dated Hardshell holster made by "A. Fischer, Berlin".

Matt

**Kevin Sanders** · 04-09-2002, 09:06 AM

Matt-

I am looking into getting a camera to collect e-pictures of my tons of good stuff.... Once I do, I will get you a picture of the holster as an FYI. The WWII vet I got this from sys that it was the original holster taken of the Wehrmacht Hauptmann in 1945, with the pistol that he had US Army permission paperwork to come home with as a war souvenier. If you ever come through Florida, give me a call......

Thanks for your help.

Kevin

**Sebastian Bianchi** · 07-18-2002, 12:43 PM

moved

**Matt Weber** · 07-19-2002, 09:04 AM

Kevin,

would like to see the photos. I don't plan on coming through Florida (at least not until I am about 80! :o )
I would like to go to Texas though. There are a few really good dealers down there I would like to see there storefronts.

Matt

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