Conflicting gun value advice on Walther P-38

[1KPerDay]

"The right side of the slide is stamped with the "Eagle/Swastika" proof mark flanked by two "Eagle/359" Army acceptance stamps. "Eagle/Swastika" proof marks are stamped on the left side of the barrel rail and the locking block. "Eagle/359" acceptance marks are located on the right side of the barrel rail and locking block, the left side of the frame behind the serial number, take-down lever, trigger, hold-open lever, hammer, safe lever, top cover and in two positions on the magazine spine.

The pistol has about 98% of the original, polished blue, finish intact. Wear is limited to some minor edge wear on the left side of the muzzle and the frame. All proofs and acceptance marks are extremely sharp and clear. The grips are excellent plus. A very desirable P.38 pistol, rarely found in this high condition. Early and desirable Walther P.38 pistol with "ac/41" code. $3,350."

That came from the horstheld guns link on the "weird gun pics" thread.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=165191
http://horstheld.com/0-makers-T.htm

It raised my eyebrows because I have a similarly marked P-38. (AC/41, same markings, excellent condition). I asked around some forums a couple of years ago and was told it was fairly common... value about $400 or so.

So is the above price waaaaaaaay out of line?

Thanks.

Also, I apologize if this is in the wrong forum, or if "what's it worth" threads are discouraged here; I haven't seen too many so I wasn't sure where to post it.

 

[New_geezer]

You might get a better response from

www.p38forum.com

if you haven't checked their already

 

[Trebor]

The $3500 gun is listed as "very early production" and "commercial blue finish in 95% condition." That's the difference between it and a run of the AC 41.

What is the serial number range in your gun? Realize that the letter in the serial number means they "rolled over" that many times already.

Does your gun have a highly polished, commercial blued finish?

Those details make all the difference.

 

[1KPerDay]

Thanks. I checked out the gun and the serial number is something like 55XXj. Definitely NOT the high-polish blue; more like a service pistol, but nice nonetheless. I guess that's why I was told it was valued at around $400. Thanks.

 

[1KPerDay]

BTW, I assume these stampings and marks have been rubbed with chalk or something to make them show up better for pics... right? Is that common practice?

http://www.p38forum.com/gallery/kyrie/ac-41/ac41_L_CU.jpg

Edit: apparently it's white laquer: "Close up of the right side slide marking with the contrast adjusted to make the white lacquer filled inspection and proof marks on the slide and trigger bar stand out more."

 

[Logan5]

Heh, white out. Er, "typewriter correction fluid", from back when we rode dinosaurs to school with our underwood typewriters slung across our backs. People still like to do that to gun stampings, but it seems particularly popular on German handguns.