[76shuvlinoff]

Folks
In 1995 my Dad handed me the Walther P38 he brought back from Germany after WWII. He told me to keep it but "make it right" with my siblings when he's gone. Dad is almost 90 now and though ill fortunately is still with us but it has me thinking. Where would a I get a valid assessment on such a piece?

I live in southwestern Lower Michigan and have no idea who to see about this. I am loath to just pack it up and ship it, frankly I don't want it out of my possession. Even though it has all matching numbers, cosmetically it's a shooter grade pistol ( it works flawlessly in that regard). It has more sentimental value to me than anything else.

[xr1200]

they currently bring $500-$1000 depending on condition, I sold a early 1941 p38 in 95% condition for $950 last year

[SharpsDressedMan]

A P-38 in your described condition might be worth $550-$700 in most parts of the country. I'm guessing MI is not that far different than OH. We have a lot of guns, and a lot of WWII P-38's here. In a collector gun starved area, they might get more, but everything collectible is relative.

[Devonai]

So what's your plan, have the pistol assessed then offer your siblings an even percentage of the value?

[XxWINxX94]

Well it depends what type of a P38 it is, there are numerous ones that are more valueble than others.

If your not sure, maybe do some research, or put some pictures up.

You should find out the maker/Mfg which is indicated by a 'code' on the gun
'ac'= Walther Mfg.
'byf'= Mauser Mfg.
'cyq'= Spreewerke Mfg.

There are some other early & other variations with other letters & numbers but these are the most common.

Next there should be a 2 digit number next to the 2 letter 'code' from above. The numbers should be: 41,42,43,44,45. You might be able to guess those stand for the years 1941, 1942, etc, etc.

So, a gun with ac44 would be a Walther made in 1944, or a byf45 would be a Mauser made in 1945.

Now value wise, most P38s I described above are anywhere from the $500-$900 range, however if you have an early model, rare model, or some other special circumstance, your value will be higher.

The fact that your Father brought it back is amazing, its literally in un-altered, original condition. I, personally would never sell it because it has sentimental value, however for a more accurate price, I'm sure the folks here would want to see some pictures or a little more information. When you say P38 your referring to over a million guns produced with tons of variations, countries, serial numbers, factorys, etc.

[Dr.Rob]

Take a look at http://www.simpsonltd.com/

You'll find a TON of P-38's for sale in a variety of conditions that can help you "ball park" a figure.

There are a number of 'online appraisers' willing to do it for about ten dollars.

[dprice3844444]

make a great house gun

[bcp280z]

I really don't think dividing up ~$1000 or less amongst multiple people is anything really helpful or excellent, ~$250 or so each, and since he is elderly, I'm assuming of of yall are grown. I'd ask what your siblings thought, but ultimately keep it, perhaps just give them $250. It sounds like a great collector piece, also great sentimental value, Keep it man, give it to your kid/fav nephew when you're 90.

[RX-178]

I'll concur that the handgun is generally not worth enough money to be a significant amount when divided amongst multiple siblings.

However, in accordance with your father's wishes, you could say all of you and your siblings would have an equal stake in its ownership upon his passing.

In my opinion, the thing to do would be to offer to purchase ownership of the pistol from your siblings and keep the weapon in the family.

[76shuvlinoff]

Thanks all.
Yes my "plan", provided there are are no challenges from my siblings, would be to get a fair assessment then pay my two brothers and two sisters equal shares.
I am the only gun nut in the family and as a kid this was the first real pistol I ever fired. Being it's my dad's it has more than a monetary value to me so I wouldn't quibble over a few dollars to keep it.

[CraigC]

Seems rather odd to me that you would have to pay your siblings for a parting gift from your father. Sounds rather petty.

[Jim K]

I am no lawyer, but absent any expressed wishes of your father, you would have no obligation to share anything he gave you with anyone. It was a gift from a living man, not a part of an estate.

But, your father did express the desire that you "make it right", so that imposes a moral (if not a legal) obligation to do something along those lines. It seems to me that, if the gun is worth $1000, dividing $1000 among the five of you is $200 each, which means you give each of your four siblings $200 for their share of the value and keep the gun.

Jim

[76shuvlinoff]

Seems rather odd to me that you would have to pay your siblings for a parting gift from your father. Sounds rather petty.

There have been no comments from from my siblings along these lines and like I said my dad is still with us. If the subject is ever broached I feel obligated to be fair to all or the pistol would end up being a sore spot for me instead of a happy memento . I don't even think my siblings are aware of the "make it right" comment from my dad, this is all on me.

Jim Keenan, that is my intended approach.

Thanks!

[76shuvlinoff]

I have done some research in the past to trace it's origins, considering the scattered pitting on the exterior I never attempted to determine it's value.
It is one of 1800 pistols marked Mod P38. It was produced as a commercial pistol but I've read many of these commercial pistols were directed into military service especially at the end of the war when things were going so badly for Germany. This would match Dad's accounting of how he came into possession of it. Oddly enough without any prompting from me he recounted that tale to me today as I visited him in the hospital. I have to admit, the fact he brought it up today gave me chills.

I need to do more digging I found a points rating on a P38 website listing it as a 7 on what looks like a 10 scale. I am sure there various factors that need to be considered for any rating... and I don't know if a rating of 10 is good or bad.

[Jim Watson]

You are a decent guy, 76.
I have seen more bitterness and hard feelings over inheritances and late in life gifts like this than almost anything else, and it looks like you and Dad and the kids are doing your best to avoid it.

[Trebor]

The commercial markings bring the value up a bit. I'm assuming it's the original finish and hasn't been refinished or nickel plated (a common post war mod by vets).

If you poke around and ask questions at the P-38 website you should get a better idea of the value.

But, if all you want to do is pay your siblings for their "share" in the pistol, and need a ballpark figure for that, I don't think it would be out of line to value it at $1,000. It may bring more than that if you sold it, it may bring in less, but I would consider that an adequate ballpark figure for your purpose. That would also keep you from having to spend the time and money to get it professionally appraised.

The only true way to establish the value is to sell it and see what it brings, but I think $1,000 would be a reasonable estimate, when the condition is balanced against the commercial markings.

One other thought: In the unlikely event that you ever do sell it, and it brings in considerably more than expected, than just "settle up" the difference with your siblings at that time. I really doubt it's a $10K gun, but if you wound up selling it for $10K, that's the time to make up the difference.

[76shuvlinoff]

Yes original finish and magazines.... and for the life of me I can not take a decent picture.

[PRM]

I just lost both my parents within the last 14 months. Got one brother. Both of us looked at the estate issues with respect to our relationship. Both of us agreed that material possessions were not worth any hard feelings between us. Each of us had some things we wanted, mostly sentimental. Those we got (cost not considered a factor). The rest we sold and divided.

On multiple small items like the gun ~ you are never going to get to the penny on dividing it up. You got the gun, there may be something that is special to them that they would want. Just remember, when all is said and done, they will still be your brothers and sisters for life.

Far as the gun ~ your Dad gave it to you. I say enjoy it.

[jdomin]

keep the gun give your brother a few hundred call it even,or sell it on this board and split it. I would never sell a gun my dad gave me.Just my .02

[InkEd]

I would give each of them about $150 (total $600) and call it a day. That would put the valid at about $750 including your 1/5 share. That dollar amount seems like a pretty good selling price in the real world. The other thing is "make it right" could have other meanings besides money. (However, it does sound like he meant money.) Sadly, if us passes and there is the matter of his estate. You may need to check on him having a will or the current status of it. More than likely, specific small items will not be mentioned. In my (fortunately) limited experience with this type of situation, I find it easiest for the family members to go throw the house and compile a list of small sentimental things they want to keep. (Its often surprising the small "silly" things people want to keep.) Then you compare lists and make trades/compromises about the items. The person who bought the item gets first right to it, followed by the person that used it the most, then it's really just fair game. Best Wishes.

[tipoc]

To avoid troubles or hard feelings one thing to do would be to discuss it with your siblings while your father is still alive. We aren't speaking of a house or a vintage Rolls Royce here but of a fairly inexpensive handgun. If you or your father anticipate hard feelings over "the spoils" it would be useful for him to write his wishes out while he can and/or make specific bequests known to all.

As InkEd said, "make it right" doesn't always mean money. Someone gets the old coins, someone gets the guns, someone gets the silverware, etc. But truly, if you think there may be a problem do it all up front with the family while your father is alive.

tipoc