Attn: P38 Experts!

[duffy]

Hi, any information and or comments I could get towards
this P38 with magazine I have come across, would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers.

http://zefarm.net/productView.php?id=1602&cat_id=1

[Douglas Jr.]

Hi,

Correct finish, matching numbers, correct Waffenamts (E/88). I just can't remember what is the meaning of the sunbursts stamped in the barrel, and if it would be an issue (Eat Germany VOPO acceptance?). This was discussed before here in the forum...

According to the description The magazine is marked with E/135 - this would be correct for a Mauser P38 and not a Spreewerke. But this is the thing that doesn't bother me at all.

Douglas

[Douglas Jr.]

Found it:

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...hlight=sun+P38

An interesting discussion (but not conclusive at all).

[sneakerd]

P. 190 of Buxton vol 1 refers to this symbol as an asterisk. He calls it enigmatic and notes that what it represents is NOT known for sure. He makes no mention of it possibly being a VOPO mark, and notes it is seen on other pistols, not just the P38. He notes in his correspondence with German military and ordnance personnel that they considered it a material control mark of some sort, showing the part conformed with standards. Possibility a random inspection stamp by a roving inspector?

[leondes]

Buxton's Vol. 1 is more than 30 years old so a lot of info has come out since then. The current info we have about the asterisk is that it meant the part was flawed but repairable. You see this mark a lot on Spreewerks and only occasionally on Walthers.

I have seen a few Spreewerks that had the asterisk on the right side of the slide and had an extra E/88 inspection stamp next to it. I suppose whatever the repair or adjustment was needed an inspection. It might also have to do with when the flaw was detected.

Barrel asterisk: http://lmd-militaria.com/page392.html

Slide asterisk: http://lmd-militaria.com/page153.html

The asterisk also occasionally appears on the left side of the frame.

Regards, Leon

[duffy]

Thanks to everybody for the information!
I came across this piece and thought it was quite nice....
For the sunburst marking....not familar with such.
Would it be wiser to find one without?

Cheers.

[leondes]

If it is the asterisk like I have pictures of on my web site and what I see in the link you listed, a lot of collectors like to have examples of that markings so it certainly does not detract from the gun and, for some collectors, may enhance it. The barrel on the one you are interested in has 2 asterisks and that is kind of neat also.

The P.38 that I showed with the asterisk on the slide, I bought only because of it. Asterisks on barrels is more common and normally hidden unless the slide is pulled back so it doesn't attract as much interest but certainly doesn't hurt, either.

Regards, Leon

[drm2m]

duffy,

I have purchased two pistols from Jose at Zefarm.
(Over many years.)

A Radom and a Femaru "jhv43" fully matching rig including
two matching mags.....as well as a nice phosphated MP44 magazine,
and several nicely marked Thompsons smg magazines.

We live in the same city.

He is a very decent honest fellow to deal with... IMHO.
(Based on my experience.)

The rest of the comments below are from people that are much more
saavy than I am concerning P.38s.

David


If you purchase this pistol duffy....you might eventually want to look around for an E/88 marked magazine (or two) as Douglas mentioned.

[drm2m]

Mr. Moderator.

Please delete ...duplication of the previous post.

Thanks.

[Jason]

Hello,
This is an interesting topic.Here is the "reject asterisk" on a ac44.The pistol is #4777g

[Jason]

I have this low turret sniper that also has a " reject asterisk" on its rear mount

[duffy]

Thanks again to everybody who has contributed to this thread....cheers!

I appreciate the photos!


drm2m,
Thanks for the info...
Jose at zefarm has had some great pieces to say the least, and I am more
than sure that you know how it can be difficult to find real nice stuff here in
Canada! There are shows, but very far away from where I have lived.
He seems like quite a nice guy from when I spoke to him a while back about a
another item I had been looking at.
However, I still like to ask for other peoples opinions when it comes to
firearms....just to make sure.
Duffy

[duffy]

I was just thinking of something here....I guess the answer would be
more-so figured out, as to if the sunburst is a "reject" marking or a postwar VOPO
marking....if someone was to post an actual captured one with original
capture papers?

This way, if there was a sunburst on an actual 100% captured piece....then it
should mean that it would be a "reject" piece, ruling out the chance of it being post war
VOPO marked....

Just a thought?

Duffy

[drm2m]

duffy,

There appears to me ... a difference between the "asterisk" reject mark shown on the Zefarm pistol and the post war VOPO sunburst marking.

This is a VOPO sunburst marking.





David

[duffy]

drm2m,

Thanks for the info....
Taking a look at your photo, I see that there is quite the difference....this is good to know.
What are your thoughts on the sunburst that is on the P38? ( Rework / Reject? )

Duffy

* If you don't mind me asking, what type of firearm is that in your photo?