P-38 Question
 

I have a man wanting to trade this P-38 for one of my pistols. My question is about the P-38. I know little about them and trying to see if this might be one I want to add to my collection. Here is the information he sent me: "This P-38 is a Mauser built in 1943. It was never issued or fired, all numbers match and in the presentation case. There is a sheet of paper in the case that explains how this handful of unissued P-38’s were picked up just prior to the wars end. These rare few are offered by Mitchell’s Mausers to collectors and run about $3400 when found. Waffenstamp Proofmarks are 135 coded with the eagle and swastika, and quite rare also. 100% guns, as this one, are seldom seen. The black walnut case is very nice and numbered to the gun".

Rule #1: Be aware a military pistol coming in a walnut wood case.

On some non-P38 pistols, there are two possibilities: either it's poor one boosted, or, it's original but a very common one depicted as rare asking lots of money -- at least, that walnut case was hand made.

But I don't know P38. May general rule not work on this one? God knows. Having said that, it could sell very well on auction..... supply and demand rules.

From what I have read, don't think I'd want to add anything from Mitchell's Mausers to my collection.

That P-38? Maybe for $400 as a pretty shooter. $3,400 or even $1,000? NFW!

Read about Mitchell's Mausers before you give much for this pistol.

Run Away!
This is a refurbished pistol dolled up by Mitchell's to sell to the same people who buy Franklin Mint Collectibles. It is not worth anywhere near what they sell them for.
In no way trade anything of "similar value" with the guy who is offering this. In my opinion, they are worth less than an honest, correct wartime P38.

Google Mitchell's collectable Lugers and P38's to get an idea of the overblown hype and pricing on these offerings.