Now, can I tell you with 100% certainty that every single part you're going to see on this pistol is 1950's East German production? No, I cannot. While I 100% believe that the Easties DID make every single part of a P38, that doesn't mean that is the case on this exact P38. However, I DO think that if you're going to see one that is made of entirely new parts, you're most likely only going to see it on an "N" series example. The problem is that many parts are absolutely identical to their wartime counterparts. There simply is no way to tell them apart. However, many parts ARE identifiable as East German because of the details of the part in question; the devil is always in the details!
We'll start with some detail photos of various areas on the assembled pistol and then get into various components.
Top view:
Front strap:
Notice all of the machining marks. I've only seen photos of a few N series pistols but every one I've seen is roughly machined like this. As you look at the pictures that follow, you might get the feeling that this pistol has seen a lot of use but that's not the case. While it most certainly has been shot, the finish is actually about 95%, perhaps a little higher. The rough machining just makes it look worn. Also, the slide is as smooth as a normal P38 and the trigger is about the same to. They just lookd rough from the day they were born.
Trigger guard area:
Bottom of grip:
Meeting of the mindless, the frame, barrel and slide:
Rought finish on barrel. The bore is excellent + though:
Beavertail:
Now let's look at some components. First up is the magazine disassembled:
The magazine body is completely unmarked. I've seen some that are purported to be East German that show no welds and the sides exhibit curved milling marks of the kind you see on later war Spreewerk slides. They are also unmarked and I do believe them to be Eastie made. Is this one too? I simply do not know. I'll show you all four sides and a closeup of the a couple spot welds and you WWII collectors can tell me. I've never seen the little oval welds before but I'm no expert.
The follower is typical Eastie where they blued the entire thing and then polished the bluing off the top of the follower:
Inside of follower is blued and there is still lots of commie cosmoline in there. In fact, the entire pistol still has lots of storage cosmoline in it.
Bluing left intact on the rear of the follower.
Assembled:
Weld details:
The angle makes them look more rounded than the really are. The following picture shows the best indication of the ovalized welding probe:
Floorplate numbered to pistol. The whie is not original but only added to make the marks show up better. This applies to the entire pistol as well:
We continue in the next post.