Opinions on a 1938 s/42...

[cmdinphx]

I am looking at a 1938 s/42, serial #9885, that is located about 2 hours from me. The pictures are not very clear (as you can see), and I am having trouble making out the letter below the frame serial number. I've asked the seller for a barrel photo showing the stamped serial number, which should be coming tomorrow.

The seller says all numbers match, although he hasn't taken off the grips to verify if they match as well. He also states that the gun hasn't been refinished or reblued since he purchased it in Germany. I haven't asked what the circumstances were when he bought the pistol, as I think the advice forwarded by many in this forum "to buy the gun, not the story" is sound. To my untrained, novice (and older) eyes, the barrel looks like it may be a replacement or even reblued, the serial numbers not crisply stamped, and the overall finish buffed out. That being said, the photo quality is awful; I think they were taken by the camera on an old tablet.

Does it appear to you gentlemen that this pistol been reworked, restamped, or reblued? The asking price is $1,300.

Thanks.

Chris