Need info on a walther p38

[bsheets20061]

I took a nice walther p38 on trade today and was wondering if anyone had some information on it that they could possibly give me such as history, value, etc.

It is in good condition i would say 90%-95% OVERALL, It is marked AC/43 by that i mean the ac is over the 43. all serial numbers are matching the numbers are 28xx with 2 mags and no import markings.

any information would be appreciated, thank you

 

[bsheets20061]

forgot to mention that is does have what i believe are military stamps and eagle holding a swastika and a symbol on each side of it.

 

[Dr.Rob]

It's made by Walther (as oppsed to Spreewerke or Mauser) worth probably $900 or so, but we need pics to be sure.

 

[clem]

Go here:

http://www.waltherforums.com/forum/

 

[bsheets20061]

thanks for the info i will try to get some pics up asap

 

[1KPerDay]

AC is the walther code, 43 is the date (1943). Does the magazine have a matching serial? That will be worth a bit more. Highly unlikely, but thought I'd ask.

Value... I have an AC41 in similar shape and when I asked here I was told around $400-$600 depending on who you ask.

 

[bsheets20061]

both magazines are matching to the pistol

 

[1KPerDay]

Wow. Cool.

 

[bsheets20061]

pics

here are a few pics of the gun i will try to get ahold of a better camera to get detailed pictures of the marking on both the gun and the mags

 

[Dave Baird]

Looks like a very decent WWII P38! It's hard to tell from the pics if it is a Walther pistol made in 1943 or a Mauser made in 1944 using a slide produced from FN in Belgium. What is the waffenamp number under the eagle stamp just above the trigger? If 359, it is a Walther. If 135, it is a Mauser. For some unknown reason, FN slides were all marked AC over 43 or AC over 44 and were sent to all three manufacturers, Walther, Mauser, and Spreewerk.

BTW, only Walther numbered their mags and they stopped in the D-block in 1942. So, in either case, the numbered mags are not original whether it is a '43 Walther or a '44 Mauser.

Go here for all the info: www.P38forum.com

Dave

 

[bsheets20061]

it is stamped with a 359 under an eagle and the mags are marked p38 on the left and the right has an eagle with a 359 under it as well if that means anything.

 

[Dave Baird]

Those are the correct mags for that pistol, congrats!! Matched mags are ones that are serial numbered to the gun and like I had mentioned above, Walther stopped numbering the mags early in 1942. BUT, yours are the right ones for that era/maker pistol!!

Dave

 

[bsheets20061]

Dave,
Who you be able to estimate a value on the pistol?

 

[Dave Baird]

Sure. What is the letter suffix in the serial number? Is it an 'e' or an 'o'? it should be an 'e' but looks like an 'o'.

Dave

 

[bsheets20061]

it is an "e"

 

[Dave Baird]

Great. I don't see any evidence of removed import markings or a refinish, so it's probably worth around $700. If wanting to place on auction, start at $650. Some may pay as high as $800 depending on what they are looking for. Some of the same type/category as yours are priced over $800 on some of the dealer sites and once in awhile they sell.

Dave

 

[bsheets20061]

Awesome,

I just spoke with the gentleman I got the pistol off of, He said he has the holster that came with it when he got quite a few years ago. Did they match the holsters to the pistol or is there no way to see if it is original?

 

[Dave Baird]

Holsters were not matched to P38's at all. Collectors like to have their holsters dated the same year or the year following the manufacture year of their P38's, though. It would be possible to have had a 1943 gun in a 1945 holster; but, I guess it makes more sense to have the holster either already made for the gun it was mated to or the same year in our 2011 eyes. The holster, if original and un-messed with, will add an easy $150-$200 to your gun pending condition.

Dave

 

[bsheets20061]

pics of the holster

 

[bsheets20061]

the other stamp that is hard to see is an what appears to be an eagle with a WaA14 under it

 

[Dave Baird]

I believe you are good to go! The holster might bring around $150, only due to the rough condition. But, it's a good one!

 

[searcher451]

That's a fine looking P.38; thanks for sharing it here. And thanks, too, for the quick education in all things related to the P.38, Dave.