TP barrel

[Schupo]

Jeff,

The TP barrel could match the scenario you mention. It may be that the barrel was OK and did not need replacement in the 1950s or it may be a case of assembly by the "parts is parts" theory. It seems that it went through the Volkspolizei shop at some point in time since you indicate it has defaced VP proofs. Since some parts are dipped and some are not my best guess would be that it was assembled from parts on hand, the VP proof was defaced, and it was part of the pistols sold to the West for hard currency around the fall of the DDR. One will find this same type of mixed and forced matched assembly with ex-VP P.38 pistols from this time period. Some of this assembly was done by police armorers and some by dealers who bought these pistols and parts in bulk. I don't think a police armorer would have assembled a pistol with a mis-matched finish for Volkspolizei use.