"Russian Capture" P-38 ac 41

sheepherder · 10-06-2009, 02:00 PM

In another thread I mentioned buying a -

Walther AC41 P-38 cal. 9mm
Item Description:

Up for auction is a Mismatched Russian Captured Walther AC41 P-38 chambered in 9mm. This gun is in good condition with only minor wear to some of its exterior surfaces. This includes blemishing to the guns metal finishes as well wear to its bakelite grips. The guns barrel is 4" long and its bore contains minor pitting throughout the inside.

- from On Target in Kalamazoo, MI for, $400...I picked it up today...I was planning on re-barreling it with a slightly longer barrel...since the description is usually overly optimistic as to overall condition...

Boy, was I wrong...

This pistol is much nicer in person than the pics would indicate...in fact, if this is an example of the Russian hot-dip finish, I'm going to start looking for someone to do my Lugers this way...

I've attached a couple of pics...Any comments on the markings, identifying features (it is mismatched), or criticisms are most welcome...

I do regret that it has the brown Bakelite grips; I would much rather have the black ones...(hint, hint)...

There is some minor pitting on the barrel bore grooves, but the lands look good and the edges are nice and sharp...

There is some slight pitting on the forward part of the barrel, and the forward part of the slide, but none on the grip frame, and no rust evident anywhere...No signs of buffing, either...and no holster wear...

I can't quite make out the import marks...It looks like maybe "R GUNS" and underneath "CARRXX"...but I really can't make it out...Slide & barrel serial is 1856d; I can't make out the old grip frame serial under the XXX's...

Mag looks recent mfg; has what appears to be "ivd" on it; it is sheet metal bent & tack welded...

Now my dilemma...I was planning on sawing the barrel off, drilling & tapping for a new barrel, and eventually refinishing it...but it is much better than I expected, and it would be a shame to cut up a perfectly good barrel...

So I'll look for another barrel instead, and leave this one intact...

10-06-2009, 02:00 PM	#1
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,197 Thanks: 1,416 Thanked 4,462 Times in 2,336 Posts	"Russian Capture" P-38 ac 41 In another thread I mentioned buying a - Walther AC41 P-38 cal. 9mm Item Description: Up for auction is a Mismatched Russian Captured Walther AC41 P-38 chambered in 9mm. This gun is in good condition with only minor wear to some of its exterior surfaces. This includes blemishing to the guns metal finishes as well wear to its bakelite grips. The guns barrel is 4" long and its bore contains minor pitting throughout the inside. - from On Target in Kalamazoo, MI for, $400...I picked it up today...I was planning on re-barreling it with a slightly longer barrel...since the description is usually overly optimistic as to overall condition... Boy, was I wrong... This pistol is much nicer in person than the pics would indicate...in fact, if this is an example of the Russian hot-dip finish, I'm going to start looking for someone to do my Lugers this way... I've attached a couple of pics...Any comments on the markings, identifying features (it is mismatched), or criticisms are most welcome... I do regret that it has the brown Bakelite grips; I would much rather have the black ones...(hint, hint)... There is some minor pitting on the barrel bore grooves, but the lands look good and the edges are nice and sharp... There is some slight pitting on the forward part of the barrel, and the forward part of the slide, but none on the grip frame, and no rust evident anywhere...No signs of buffing, either...and no holster wear... I can't quite make out the import marks...It looks like maybe "R GUNS" and underneath "CARRXX"...but I really can't make it out...Slide & barrel serial is 1856d; I can't make out the old grip frame serial under the XXX's... Mag looks recent mfg; has what appears to be "ivd" on it; it is sheet metal bent & tack welded... Now my dilemma...I was planning on sawing the barrel off, drilling & tapping for a new barrel, and eventually refinishing it...but it is much better than I expected, and it would be a shame to cut up a perfectly good barrel... So I'll look for another barrel instead, and leave this one intact... Attached Thumbnails