Opinions needed: What happened to this P-38?

[Shadowsix]

Originally Posted by G.T.

I can't tell for sure?? But I don't see a period after the P in P.38 ... the frame waffenampt shows late Mauser manufacture..what are the proofs marks on the slide right side and on the slide bottom at the back... might be an fn slide?? If so, a very rare gun...and might explain the deformation... Alanint is correct, looks bent then machined...part came that way..probably shouldn't be shooting it, any parts breakage will hurt the value.......til..lat'r...GT

You are correct there is no period after the P in P.38 on mine.

The pic is of the only right side markings and there are no markings on the slide bottom at the back that I can see.

[G.T.]

It appears to be an fn slide variation gun made in the last days of WW2. These were interspersed with ac 44 fn slides, byf 44 slides, and svw marked slides... it was originally all gray phosphate, with perhaps a dual tone blue barrel... If all matching and not import marked, I would keep it for a collectible.. or, if you want it nice, have Thor restore it... some, although I've never seen one, were reported to be all blue... cant really tell from your pictures.. But, nice gun, and the factory crudeness adds to the mystique, as it was uncommon, even very late in the war, for Mauser to let such a thing pass for issue... Best to you, til...lat'r....GT

[Shadowsix]

Originally Posted by G.T.

It appears to be an fn slide variation gun made in the last days of WW2. These were interspersed with ac 44 fn slides, byf 44 slides, and svw marked slides... it was originally all gray phosphate, with perhaps a dual tone blue barrel... If all matching and not import marked, I would keep it for a collectible.. or, if you want it nice, have Thor restore it... some, although I've never seen one, were reported to be all blue... cant really tell from your pictures.. But, nice gun, and the factory crudeness adds to the mystique, as it was uncommon, even very late in the war, for Mauser to let such a thing pass for issue... Best to you, til...lat'r....GT

Thanks for the info GT. It is all matching and there are no import markings.

I bought it at a gun show from guys who acquired guns from estate sales. I thought (and so did they) that it was a shooter so I got it for $600. I'll now consider not shooting it anymore (except for maybe every once in a while and only a few rounds).