First P-38, Opinions?

[Michael Kasper]

This posting is my first. I am pleased and humbled to be part of this forum and in the company of such knowledgeable people as yourselves. I recently rescued my first P-38 from a local gun shop. I have some knowledge thanks to this site and others. I know it is a Walther manufactured matching serial number 5289d ac44. It has some finish wear to the edges. It probably has about 98% of finish. Was this manufactured in 1944? It came with these black plastic grips. I believe the grips to be WWII Mauser made. Are the grips original WWII German production or post war? The inside of the grips are not marked. Also, it came with the below magazine. The magazine was only stamped with P.38v and no inspection marks or other marks. Is this magazine also a WWII production? I paid $400.00 for it. I appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

[Michael Kasper]

slide

[Michael Kasper]

grips

[Michael Kasper]

outside of grips

[Michael Kasper]

magazine

[Gary Cain]

Hello Michael,
Welcome first of all and you are 100% correct on the date for your P38(nice pistol BTW). As for the grips I believe they are replacements. I would need a more detailed look to tell you for sure but at first view that is my opinion. The magazine is most probably immediate postwar as made by the French. Once again I would need a little more info.

Gary

magazine

[Cam_S]

P38 Mag

Hello Michael,
Welcome first of all and you are 100% correct on the date for your P38(nice pistol BTW). As for the grips I believe they are replacements. I would need a more detailed look to tell you for sure but at first view that is my opinion. The magazine is most probably immediate postwar as made by the French. Once again I would need a little more info.

Gary

Hello,
Sorry but I think the Magazines are WAR time. I have two mags from a BYF 44 and marked P38v and both of them are also marked waa135. So check your mag and see if there is a waffenampt on the back part of the mag. Other than that its a great pistol.

Cam

[Michael Kasper]

Thanks Gary! what would be the correct grips with proper markings for this particular example?

Hello Michael,
Welcome first of all and you are 100% correct on the date for your P38(nice pistol BTW). As for the grips I believe they are replacements. I would need a more detailed look to tell you for sure but at first view that is my opinion. The magazine is most probably immediate postwar as made by the French. Once again I would need a little more info.

Gary

[JaimeH]

My AC44 has the red/brown colored grips.

[Matt Weber]

Michael,

Welcome to the forum, and you picked a great pistol to do your first post on!
For $400, I would say you got a very good deal on this lovely looking early "AC44".
Magazine looks to be correct. Check the spine very closely. It should have an "eagle/359" on the spine. Sometimes the spine gets worn from removing/inserting the mag for 60 years, so the markings may be difficult to see.

Grips appear to be replacements. However, this is easy to fix. I know a guy who has some wartime grips for sale.
Also, does someone know the website address that has all that information on P38 grips? I know someone here has it? That will help you out with markings.

Matt

[Gary Cain]

Hey Mike,
You're welcome and see below(or is that above?) for the grip info.

Cheers
Gary

Thanks Gary! what would be the correct grips with proper markings for this particular example?

[P08]

Michael,

Also, does someone know the website address that has all that information on P38 grips? I know someone here has it? That will help you out with markings.

Matt

Is this what you're thinking of?

http://p38guns.com/Gripinfo.htm

[walt]

Nice Gun! I'm suprised it turned up at a gun shop in Jersey!
Espically at that price.

[Michael Kasper]

Michael,

Welcome to the forum, and you picked a great pistol to do your first post on!
For $400, I would say you got a very good deal on this lovely looking early "AC44".
Magazine looks to be correct. Check the spine very closely. It should have an "eagle/359" on the spine. Sometimes the spine gets worn from removing/inserting the mag for 60 years, so the markings may be difficult to see.

Grips appear to be replacements. However, this is easy to fix. I know a guy who has some wartime grips for sale.
Also, does someone know the website address that has all that information on P38 grips? I know someone here has it? That will help you out with markings.

Matt

Hi Matt and all,
Thanks a million for the info. I checked the below website and others. It would appear the grips conform to the Mauser black plastic type. 2 low circles in the left grip, a mold sprue in the center of the right grip, and unmarked. Can you please forward me your contact for the "correct" grips? Thanks.

[Michael Kasper]

Nice Gun! I'm suprised it turned up at a gun shop in Jersey!
Espically at that price.

Walt, I was having my service weapon worked on and stumbled across it in the case! I had to have it. It had been on consignment only a few days! Of course, you being from from New Jersey as well, know the hoops I had to jump through to get it finally one month later!