P38 Collection Question

[sszza2]

Am considering reducing my P38 collection through an upcoming trade on some exotic K98ks. I am trying to identify what 2 P38 rigs from each manufacturer should be kept that would best represent the individual manufacturers or wartime P38s in general. One early and one late from each manufacturer would be an obvious route. However, this would exclude some unique variations.

I would apprecaite any advice.

Scott B

[leondes]

Hi Scott,

I might have some advice for you but it's hard to say without knowing what the options are.

Also, are you just looking at representation or investment or both?

Regards, Leon

[sszza2]

Hello Leon,

I do have options. I have all the years, codes and common variations from 40-45 covered. All early variations from 40-42 have 1 or 2 matching mags and I do have couple rare variations. So I could do for example: ac40 added and ac45, byf42 and svw45, cyq no letter and z range. I guess the question becomes if you could only have 2 per manufacturer of any variation what would they be? It hurts to do this trade but sometimes you have to give to get.

Scott B

[Matt Weber]

If you have all the variations of P38s here would be my personal choices to keep.

Walther- Keep an AC no date or AC-40 added, and keep "AC44" with FN frame (plum) or an "AC44" "e" block.

Mauser- Keep a "byf42", and "svw45" dual tone or "byf44" dual tone with FN slide.

Spreewerk- Keep a "cyq" no letter w/ high polish finish, and keep "cvq" "a" or "b" prefix, preferably with FN slide! (if you have?)

Those would by my choices.

Matt

[leondes]

Hi Scott,

If you specify 2 per manufacturer and had every variation, I would select the following. There could certainly be some other options, however.

Walther: ac no date with 2 matched mags and .30 caliber single action HP.

Mauser: Very early byf42 with waffenamt small parts and svw45 dual tone E/F police.

Spreewerke: Very early cyq with Walther small parts and "x" block FN frame.

Regards, Leon

[sszza2]

Well I guess I was inaccurate. I certainly do not have every variation just those basic variations which cover years, codes and some subvariations (police, fn, engraved AC44/byf, etc). I could easily accomplish the list Matt suggested. Leon, I could only cover half your list.

Its very difficult to reduce this collection to a small representative one. I just love em all. But this is an interesting exercise and I need to make a decision.

Scott

[leondes]

Hi Scott,

Sorry I misunderstood what your question was. But you said "I guess the question becomes if you could only have 2 per manufacturer of any variation what would they be?". I guess I should have read that "any variation that I currently have" and I don't know specifically what those are.

Regards, Leon

[sszza2]

Leon,

Yes you are correct, my mistake. You did answer what I asked but werent able to read my mind. Lucky you. Its a dangerous place.

Just trying to figure out if the early/late combination is the best representation of the manufacturer. Or do I take your route which essentially is to keep the two most rare of each manufacturer.

Thanks,

Scott

[leondes]

Scott,

I asked in a previous post if you were looking for representation, investment or both. I guess that is still the question. The rarest will usually be the best investment. Early/Late usually provides the best representation. If the answer is the best balance between representation and investment then it will probably be a mix.

Regards, Leon

[Matt Weber]

I agree with Leon here. It depends on what you want to have (representation or investment value, or a mix of both?)


Matt

[sszza2]

The short answer is both. I would like to have representation of each manufacturer as well as cover their major production variations. Perhaps, in the case of ac and byf, I need to keep more than 2 of each to do this. Say ac40 added with early finish, ac42 with military finish and ac45 with late mixed finish. Same for byf - byf42 with dusty blue, byf43 or 44 police with later blue finish and then a dualtone 44 or svw45. CYQ is simpler with a no letter early and a late "z" range or "a" prefix late crude. Obviously this excludes some other variations such as ac/fn frame with copper plum finish, enagraved ac44/byf, etc.

Always a difficult decision when paring down.

Regards,

Scott