New addition to the family: 43 byf P-38

[Ardennes]

Picked up this new addition to the family (collection) last night and thought I'd share it with everyone. It's a 1943 byf P-38 with 2 mags and its original holster. It has a nice clean bore with some original holster wear. Didn't get pictures of the holster, but will add those soon.

Everything's matching - nice markings. The numbered mag surprized me (last photo).

[JasonS]

Very nice. Congrats on a fine firearm. Any plans on shooting it?

JasonS

[Jan Balcar]

Sorry, the grips are misfit. Posselt grips entirely used on Spreewerk (cyq & cvq) pistols. Inside marked 1W - MD logo - 41(43), outside five interrupted groves in screw area. Jan

[leondes]

Hi,

As I think you already suspect, the mag should not be numbered. Only Walther (ac code) serial numbered their mags and only then until early 1942. The number on your mag looks very post-war to me.

Nice looking gun.

Regards, Leon

[fordgpw]

Nice, Very Nice

I have one just like it,and yes my mags have the sn# on them.
Really not much into P-38,s.They show no quality as the PO-8 does.Got mine to finish off my German handgun collection. Congrats on this outstanding find. Regards; Danny

[R_Hessian]

Grips

Sorry, the grips are misfit. Posselt grips entirely used on Spreewerk (cyq & cvq) pistols. Inside marked 1W - MD logo - 41(43), outside five interrupted groves in screw area. Jan

If you want to swap out grips for the maker made found on this p38 let me know, I might be able find a set for you

Regards,
Robert

PS. That "Jan" is fellow who really knows his P38's!

[Ardennes]

If you want to swap out grips for the maker made found on this p38 let me know, I might be able find a set for you

Ok - I'd like that.

Thanks to everyone for the comments - I don't plan on shooting it, just cleaning it up, swapping grips, and putting it in a display.

Is that the L block? would that be from late Spring of '43?

Any more thoughts on the numbered mag?

[P08]

Nice looking P38. I always like P38s. However as far as I've learned the magazines shouldn't be numbered. Also if they were supposed to the numbers should be on the toe and facing up instead of being on the underside.

I believe it's from late 1943. It's a high letter and also it has the reinforcement above the trigger. That came along in april 1943 at Mauser if I remember correctly. (No expert here so beware of errors)

[Matt Weber]

Great looking addition. As pointed out the grips are Spreewerk, and the numbering on the magazine is definately post war.

Are there any import markings on it?

Matt

[Ardennes]

I see the footed 1 now on the mag, suggesting a difference.


What should I look for in regards to import marks?

[bodes]

Sorry, the grips are misfit. Posselt grips entirely used on Spreewerk (cyq & cvq) pistols. Inside marked 1W - MD logo - 41(43), outside five interrupted groves in screw area. Jan

Jan, So the grips should be the rust colored bakelite grips for this pistol, correct? I have a byf 44 P38...Mine has black plastic grips...My understanding is Mauser switched over to these black(softer plastic) in 1944(which post-dates this pistol posted)...I notice the groove pattern is a little different than the one shown....Does that sound correct to you??? Bodes

[Jan Balcar]

The correct grips should be the rust or brown-black Bakelite. Since 1944 (v suffix) were used black Novodur grips. 1944 Novodur was a non-softened polyvinylchloride. (Today Novodur is ABS). Both types of Mauser (and Walther too) grips should have six interrupted grooves in screw area! Five groove pattern is unique to Posselt (= Spreewerk) grips. Jan<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

[bodes]

The correct grips should be the rust or brown-black Bakelite. Since 1944 (v suffix) were used black Novodur grips. 1944 Novodur was a non-softened polyvinylchloride. (Today Novodur is ABS). Both types of Mauser (and Walther too) grips should have six interrupted grooves in screw area! Five groove pattern is unique to Posselt (= Spreewerk) grips. Jan<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Thanks Jan.... Bodes