Walther P38 Owners - A Few Questions

[schlitz45]

Pistol has an eagle. Also has a stamping "byf" with 43 underneath byf. Has a 4 digit number on the slide with a symbol that looks kind of like a sideways feather or quill.

I think I have Walther manufacture. Does the 43 mean the year? Also, what does the little quill or symbol denote?

 

[tommy.duncan]

I thought the WYF was an Obendorf manufacture. The numbers should reflect the year on manufacture.

If I am wrong, please educate me!!

 

[schlitz45]

I thought the WYF was an Obendorf manufacture. The numbers should reflect the year on manufacture.

If I am wrong, please educate me!!

No, it's a "byf"

 

[trackskippy]

byf was the code for Mauser. 43 is the year of manufacture.

The little "quill" thing, is probably a "waffenamt'' that is basically an inspectors acceptance mark. If you look close, its probably a stylized set of "wings" with some numbers or letters where the body would be.

 

[schlitz45]

Thx. Still trying to find pics so I can ID the proofmark to the right of the serial no.

 

[trackskippy]

I was editing while you were typing.

 

[trackskippy]

see if this helps...

 

[tommy.duncan]

No, it's a "byf"

You are correct and my typing isn't.

 

[dfariswheel]

During WWII three companies made P-38 pistols, Walther, Mauser, and Spreewerk.

In order to conceal who made what, the Nazi's assigned codes to all arms manufacturers to be used instead of company names.
Walther used code "480" to around 1940 then switched to code "ac". (Note the small case letters).
Mauser used the code "byf" until early 1945, then switched to "SVW". (Note the change to large case).
Spreewerk used "cyq".

In order to identify a war time P-38 you need to take into consideration the maker, the year made, the serial number, and a "block code".
Usually the slides will be stamped with the makers code, a 4 digit serial number, the year made, and usually a block code of a letter.
Because of this system, it's possible to have a good many P-38 pistols all with the same serial number.

Here's how this was supposed to work.......
P-38 pistols were made in 10,000 gun blocks.
Starting at 12:00 midnight of a new year a serial number of 0001 was stamped on the first gun made after midnight.
These ran up to serial number 9999, then started over at 0001 again, only with a letter block code added of the letter "a".
Block code "a" serial numbers ran to 9999 a, then started over again at 0001 with a "b" block code, and ran up to 9999 b, and so on for the rest of the year.

So, in order to identify a P-38 you have to have the makers code, the year it was made, the serial number AND any block code.
Other wise you can have many guns with the same number and this could cause problems these days if a gun is listed as stolen but without ALL the identifying stamps.

In addition to those stamps, each maker was assigned an official military inspection office at the factories. Each office had a identifying code of numbers under the Nazi eagle.
Usually on P-38 pistols these were stamped on the right side of the slide, usually two or three times.
These office numbers are shown above.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I think I have Walther manufacture.

I believe "ac" is Walther.

I was just looking at one at a friend's house the other day...he was cleaning it for a client. Interestingly it was in a hardshell Lugar holster which was marked "1917"...had hard hood and the pull-up strap to raise the pistol out of the pouch

 

[JT-AR-MG42]

Mauser (byf code) used cursive letter suffixes on their pistols up into the 'p' block IIRC.
Waffenampt acceptance stamps changed around this time as well.
After reaching and using the 'z' block and the second 'no letter block', they used
block letters on the second time through and ended German production in the 'f' and 'g' blocks.

It reads as if the OP has a P.38 with a serial number ending with the cursive or stylized letter 'f',
indicating a production date in June of 1943.
The stylized letter 'f' looks somewhat like a quill pen with the top leaning to the right.
Of course a photo would tell the tale.

Walther was the only maker to start new serial numbering with the start of the new year.
Both Mauser and Spreewerke just continued their serialing in sequence through the alphabet.
Both companies omitted some letters and Mauser did change the year on their slides.

JT

 

[schlitz45]

During WWII three companies made P-38 pistols, Walther, Mauser, and Spreewerk.

In order to conceal who made what, the Nazi's assigned codes to all arms manufacturers to be used instead of company names.
Walther used code "480" to around 1940 then switched to code "ac". (Note the small case letters).
Mauser used the code "byf" until early 1945, then switched to "SVW". (Note the change to large case).
Spreewerk used "cyq".

In order to identify a war time P-38 you need to take into consideration the maker, the year made, the serial number, and a "block code".
Usually the slides will be stamped with the makers code, a 4 digit serial number, the year made, and usually a block code of a letter.
Because of this system, it's possible to have a good many P-38 pistols all with the same serial number.

Here's how this was supposed to work.......
P-38 pistols were made in 10,000 gun blocks.
Starting at 12:00 midnight of a new year a serial number of 0001 was stamped on the first gun made after midnight.
These ran up to serial number 9999, then started over at 0001 again, only with a letter block code added of the letter "a".
Block code "a" serial numbers ran to 9999 a, then started over again at 0001 with a "b" block code, and ran up to 9999 b, and so on for the rest of the year.

So, in order to identify a P-38 you have to have the makers code, the year it was made, the serial number AND any block code.
Other wise you can have many guns with the same number and this could cause problems these days if a gun is listed as stolen but without ALL the identifying stamps.

In addition to those stamps, each maker was assigned an official military inspection office at the factories. Each office had a identifying code of numbers under the Nazi eagle.
Usually on P-38 pistols these were stamped on the right side of the slide, usually two or three times.
These office numbers are shown above.

Holy hell, you have really done your homework.

 

[CapnMac]

you have really done your homework.

He is not alone. There's a ton of stuff on German WWII war production. Much of which has moved online.

Which is complicated, as, given the incredible depth of study on that one niche, there's a presumption that similar niches are equally deeply documented. Which is not the case.