P38 valuation

Gary H · 08-02-2019, 03:49 PM

Don, he does have the original barrel, and that’s where there’s an interesting story with a big coincidence. A friend told me the shop had a nice looking P38 so I went by to take a look. I had read enough miscellaneous stuff over the years to tell it was a rather nice-looking WW2 era Spreewerk but didn’t remember at the time that the serial number would be on the underneath portion of the barrel on the barrel lug. I was wondering out-loud whether the barrel was a replacement since I couldn’t find a serial number on it. Whether by words, shrugs, or silence, the shop owner left me with the distinct impression that he didn’t know. I told him that I wanted to do a little research. I did, I reminded myself where the serial number should be, and I came back for another look. When I returned, I pointed out the lack of a serial number on the barrel made me think that it was most likely a replacement/non-original barrel. Then I told him that I was reminded of a case I prosecuted a number of years back where a felon/gang member was caught with a P38. I told him how the idiot had apparently wanted a more compact pistol and, obviously not knowing what kind of gun he had or that he might actually want a front sight, had sawed-off the barrel right by the end of the slide. I added that it looked like the guy used a hack-saw to do it. In response to this story, the owner looked at me for a long moment and then told me he’d be right back. He walked off to a back room and returned a few minutes later carrying what remained of the original barrel. The original matching barrel looked like the end had been sawed-off with a hack-saw at the base of the lug, just like I remembered. He confirmed that he had gotten the gun years ago at a local police auction and that he had personally replaced the barrel. I told him that I’d think about what value such a gun would have and maybe come back with an offer. After I left, I thought that I might have saved the police photos of the gun. I found the photos from 2010 and this was clearly the same P38. So yeah, I was wanting a collector P38 but now I am considering picking up this shooter if the price is right.

08-02-2019, 03:49 PM	#13
Gary H User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Washington State Posts: 31 Thanks: 22 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Don, he does have the original barrel, and that’s where there’s an interesting story with a big coincidence. A friend told me the shop had a nice looking P38 so I went by to take a look. I had read enough miscellaneous stuff over the years to tell it was a rather nice-looking WW2 era Spreewerk but didn’t remember at the time that the serial number would be on the underneath portion of the barrel on the barrel lug. I was wondering out-loud whether the barrel was a replacement since I couldn’t find a serial number on it. Whether by words, shrugs, or silence, the shop owner left me with the distinct impression that he didn’t know. I told him that I wanted to do a little research. I did, I reminded myself where the serial number should be, and I came back for another look. When I returned, I pointed out the lack of a serial number on the barrel made me think that it was most likely a replacement/non-original barrel. Then I told him that I was reminded of a case I prosecuted a number of years back where a felon/gang member was caught with a P38. I told him how the idiot had apparently wanted a more compact pistol and, obviously not knowing what kind of gun he had or that he might actually want a front sight, had sawed-off the barrel right by the end of the slide. I added that it looked like the guy used a hack-saw to do it. In response to this story, the owner looked at me for a long moment and then told me he’d be right back. He walked off to a back room and returned a few minutes later carrying what remained of the original barrel. The original matching barrel looked like the end had been sawed-off with a hack-saw at the base of the lug, just like I remembered. He confirmed that he had gotten the gun years ago at a local police auction and that he had personally replaced the barrel. I told him that I’d think about what value such a gun would have and maybe come back with an offer. After I left, I thought that I might have saved the police photos of the gun. I found the photos from 2010 and this was clearly the same P38. So yeah, I was wanting a collector P38 but now I am considering picking up this shooter if the price is right.