byf 44 p38

[howelldavis]

can any one give me some basic information on how to tell an original p38 from a soviet rework?
are there always import marks on the soviet p38s?
I found a byf 44 that has no import marks and the blue looks to be original.
it is about 80 to 85% left.
the numbers on the out side all match, where should I look for numbers on the inside?
any tips to go over the gun when I look at it tomorrow.
the seller wants 600 complete, and the magazine is marked 359, so it is not the original magazine, but he has another one that has a 135 marked magazine, I will try to get them to trade it, but eather way.
I have been looking for a ac marked pistol but they are not easy to find with out import marks.
the byf 42 that I bought I returned because of the import marks.
any tips on what to look for will be helpfull. regards

[JasonS]

I had a customer tell me that he bought a Russian reworked P38 years ago and the firing pin broke. When he stripped it down he noticed that the Russians ,when they re-blued it, had not even cleaned out any old grease or rust. He said it looked like they just blued over any old flaws, dirt, and gunk. Just a heads up as what I have heard to look for.

JasonS

[howelldavis]

ac 44

Well after looking all over I found a single line ac44 no import marks looks to be original blue, serial number is 8114 i or l all matching, I had the dealer take off the grips and check for import marks, and look at the bottom of the magazine well for import marks, and none present.
all 359 stamped on frame and on each side of the eagle on right slide.
the breach block is marked with 114 and i or l and is un blued, I picked it up for 469 and 20 insured shipping.
total is 489. plus my ffl dealers 20 transfer fee.
for a total of 509. I hope I did not miss anything.
the bore is exclent shape, and blueing is in 90% and nicely done.
so I take it this is a pistol before the drop in blueing in late 44?
it comes with a jvd magazine. not orginal but I have an extra 359 magazine. and the extra one will go with my cyq. any opinions on my purchase welcome.

[Matt Weber]

$469 for an "AC44" is not a bad price at all. If it's at least 90% or better, than I would say you got a fair deal on it.


Matt

[howelldavis]

ac 44

thanks matt, I have pictures but cant seem to post them.
if you have an email I can send them to you to look at. I had the dealer take it apart and the lokcing block is in the white with the last three numbers of the serial number.
the triger serar for the hammer is also in the white.
I take it that that is an exclent sign that at minium it is not a soviet import.
I was told that they just diped the whole gun.
if this gun is as it appears in the photos I think I made a very good buy.
I found it from a dealer in montana. so not as much traffic for german hand guns. He said that it came from an estate sale in which he got a p1 66 made.
along whith this gun.
he has an online store, that is where I found him. but does not specialize in millitary guns.
mostly new hunting rifles.
Hope I did ok.
I would appreciate your opinion on it. thanks

[Matt Weber]

Howell,

You have to be an Association Member to post photos here on the forum. I'm not sure what membership dues are going for these days, but I know it is still a bargain for all the information you get here!

AS for your P38, the locking block should be "in the white". Very few of these were ever blued, and this was mostly done at Spreewerk. Locking block should have last three digets of serial number and also letter suffix if applicable in most cases.

Sounds like you got a good gun there.
Do you have a spare mag and holster for it yet? If not, then that is your next shopping hunt!

Matt

[howelldavis]

thanks matt

yes I have a lyo waa 4?7 marked p38 holster. the mag that comes with it is marked p38 u and jvd. I have an estra double marked 359 on the spine mag.
I just got my g date luger all matching, with carl busse holster 39 date. and 2 mags. the gun is marked 3032f and the mags are f suffix but off in serial no but only about 1000. so if any one has a 3032 f and wants to trade, also my mags are de63 marked with +, a question , is the + for the spare mag? or was it on both?