Fresh from the gunshow: Schupo Dz 1916

[Olle]

This one was kid of a surprise: A guy came up to my table at the gun show, and asked me if I was interested in Lugers and P.38s. We talked about it for a few minutes, and then we decided to meet at his house after the show. When we met a few hours later, he showed me one near mint, all correct and matching ac44 P.38 and this 9mm Luger. I really wanted the P.38 but he wouldn't sell them separately, so after some negotiation I walked home with both.

I was thinking about using this one as a shooter, but once I had disassembled it and cleaned off several decades worth of sticky, old grease I found that it's all matching except for the mag and the extractor (numbered 24, instead of 29). Also, the firing pin is fluted and unnumbered, not sure if that's correct or not. The grips are a bit worn, but they are numbered to the gun and there are no cracks, dings or chips in the wood.

It has some light "frosting" in several places and has obviously been touched up, but is very sound and solid mechanically. The barrel is also frosted with some light pitting, but the rifling is good. I shot two mags through it after I got it reassembled, and it seems to shoot very straight. It hits low and to the left, but that could be easily fixed by trimming or replacing the bead and then adjusting the windage.

All in all, I think this is more of a collectible than a shooter, and it would make a good restoration project as well. I'm planning to put it up for sale, so what would be a good asking price for a gun in this condition? Also, does the Schupo marking add any value to it?