ww2 p38, anyone know much about them?

Sky Zero · 04-10-2017, 09:11 PM

As the title states, I've always wanted a p38 but I know jack-all about them. Found this one on gun broker. Does it look like it's been re-blued at all? I'm not an expert on that kind of thing.

alanint · 04-10-2017, 11:42 PM

It is a correct mid war 1943 made by Mauser. The finish is original and it looks like a decent late war break open holster is included. You would have to make sure the the barrel also matches the slide and frame, but in general P38s are rarely seen mismatched.
The big question is; how much?

fury413rb · 04-11-2017, 07:35 AM

looks like its currently at 1,125 with 5 days left

alanint · 04-11-2017, 09:30 AM

Way too much money. I just purchased a similar CYQ with a rougher break open holster for about 40% less. Granted this is a slightly more desirable Mauser, but not $400 more desirable. I would be out of any bidding on a standard issue P38 at $800. And that would have to be minty.

mrerick · 04-11-2017, 12:48 PM

It can be very difficult to judge salt blued gun finishes from photographs.

The finish looks OK/

I think it is already overpriced. I think it's worth a bit more than $800 if original and matching. Perhaps $925 with the holster. I'd also like to see the interior of the grips to confirm originality.

rhuff · 04-11-2017, 02:59 PM

That P-38 looks a lot nicer then mine, but that price is quite stout!! I am not 100% convinced that that is the original finish....I could be wrong....have been many times. I see red paint in the "fire" area of the safety.

DonVoigt · 04-11-2017, 05:48 PM

Over priced even if it is one of Herman's pistols.

alvin · 04-11-2017, 08:52 PM

20% higher? Don't worry. Looking from positive side -- if a gun came to you very cheap but it worth more, it's not easy to keep it, there is always a lure to realize that profit. It's a little bit high, you can enjoy it longer. I assume that we are talking $200-$300 in price difference, in C&R world, that's nothing. Don't worry. You won't lose anything in longer run.

Sky Zero · 04-12-2017, 10:05 AM

Wow, Ok thanks so much for the posts! Didn't realize it was overpriced haha. Glad I checked here first

I suppose I'll keep searching! Anything I should specifically watch out for on p38s for fakes or anything like that?

spacecoast · 04-12-2017, 10:51 AM

If you're specifically looking for a P38, I think you should join the P38 forum. There are collectors there who sell like they do here, and for a price much closer to market value. No point throwing away money on a common gun, even if Alvin thinks you get to "enjoy it longer" that way.

alvin · 04-12-2017, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sky Zero

Wow, Ok thanks so much for the posts! Didn't realize it was overpriced haha. Glad I checked here first

I suppose I'll keep searching! Anything I should specifically watch out for on p38s for fakes or anything like that?

Regular P38 should not have many fakes.

If we have to summarize out the general feeling on P38, say, what's the feeling on this type? My feeling is this: most of them look same, except markings. So, be aware of that. If one sample is marketed as having rare markings and asking a lot, you'd better know what you're looking at, otherwise, leave it alone. It could be a great correct item, but you're not ready for it yet.

If it's a regular byf 43, 44,,, not likely having many fakes.

Sky Zero · 04-12-2017, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alvin

Regular P38 should not have many fakes.

If we have to summarize out the general feeling on P38, say, what's the feeling on this type? My feeling is this: most of them look same, except markings. So, be aware of that. If one sample is marketed as having rare markings and asking a lot, you'd better know what you're looking at, otherwise, leave it alone. It could be a great correct item, but you're not ready for it yet.

If it's a regular byf 43, 44,,, not likely having many fakes.

Cool man, thanks so much. That helps a lot

alvin · 04-12-2017, 08:19 PM

No problem. After playing these for a while, you will summarize out many small tips like this yourself.

Lugerdoc · 04-13-2017, 12:54 PM

Also the owner did not properly install the left hand grip. Too much space between grip & frame. TH

Sky Zero · 04-16-2017, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lugerdoc

Also the owner did not properly install the left hand grip. Too much space between grip & frame. TH

Do you think its not original to this firearm?

04-10-2017, 09:11 PM	#1
Sky Zero User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 308 Thanks: 134 Thanked 43 Times in 30 Posts	ww2 p38, anyone know much about them? As the title states, I've always wanted a p38 but I know jack-all about them. Found this one on gun broker. Does it look like it's been re-blued at all? I'm not an expert on that kind of thing. Attached Thumbnails Attached Images

04-11-2017, 12:48 PM	#5
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,920 Thanks: 1,377 Thanked 3,135 Times in 1,518 Posts	It can be very difficult to judge salt blued gun finishes from photographs. The finish looks OK/ I think it is already overpriced. I think it's worth a bit more than $800 if original and matching. Perhaps $925 with the holster. I'd also like to see the interior of the grips to confirm originality. __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war. Last edited by mrerick; 04-11-2017 at 04:32 PM. Reason: Corrected. Red paint is there in "F".

04-11-2017, 05:48 PM	#7
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,681 Thanks: 1,443 Thanked 4,355 Times in 2,041 Posts	Over priced even if it is one of Herman's pistols. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

04-12-2017, 10:51 AM	#10
spacecoast User Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: FL and PA Posts: 332 Thanks: 276 Thanked 243 Times in 109 Posts	If you're specifically looking for a P38, I think you should join the P38 forum. There are collectors there who sell like they do here, and for a price much closer to market value. No point throwing away money on a common gun, even if Alvin thinks you get to "enjoy it longer" that way. __________________ My avatars are the Bulgarian word for "Fire", as seen on my 1900, 1906 and 1908 Bulgarian Contract DWM Lugers. Looking for a DWM Commercial side plate #95

04-13-2017, 12:54 PM	#14
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 737 Times in 484 Posts	Also the owner did not properly install the left hand grip. Too much space between grip & frame. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

04-10-2017, 11:42 PM	#2
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	It is a correct mid war 1943 made by Mauser. The finish is original and it looks like a decent late war break open holster is included. You would have to make sure the the barrel also matches the slide and frame, but in general P38s are rarely seen mismatched. The big question is; how much?

04-11-2017, 07:35 AM	#3
fury413rb User Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 15 Thanks: 3 Thanked 11 Times in 5 Posts	looks like its currently at 1,125 with 5 days left

04-11-2017, 09:30 AM	#4
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	Way too much money. I just purchased a similar CYQ with a rougher break open holster for about 40% less. Granted this is a slightly more desirable Mauser, but not $400 more desirable. I would be out of any bidding on a standard issue P38 at $800. And that would have to be minty.

04-11-2017, 02:59 PM	#6
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,308 Thanks: 2,737 Thanked 993 Times in 729 Posts	That P-38 looks a lot nicer then mine, but that price is quite stout!! I am not 100% convinced that that is the original finish....I could be wrong....have been many times. I see red paint in the "fire" area of the safety.

04-11-2017, 08:52 PM	#8
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	20% higher? Don't worry. Looking from positive side -- if a gun came to you very cheap but it worth more, it's not easy to keep it, there is always a lure to realize that profit. It's a little bit high, you can enjoy it longer. I assume that we are talking $200-$300 in price difference, in C&R world, that's nothing. Don't worry. You won't lose anything in longer run.

04-12-2017, 10:05 AM	#9
Sky Zero User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 308 Thanks: 134 Thanked 43 Times in 30 Posts	Wow, Ok thanks so much for the posts! Didn't realize it was overpriced haha. Glad I checked here first I suppose I'll keep searching! Anything I should specifically watch out for on p38s for fakes or anything like that?

04-12-2017, 08:19 PM	#13
alvin User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US Posts: 3,843 Thanks: 132 Thanked 729 Times in 438 Posts	No problem. After playing these for a while, you will summarize out many small tips like this yourself.