P-38 maker code

[Lone Star]

On page 61 of the Feb., 2004, "Playboy" is a photo (or very skilled artist's painting) of a Walther P-38 supposedly used in the killing of actor Robert Blake's wife. (The article is on the murder.)

The gun was made in 1944, and hasn't received good care.

Where one would see the letter code "ac" if it had been Walther -made, the code looks to be "hv". It may have worn somewhat, or have been a light strike of the stamp when made.

Do any of the military collectors here recognize that code? I don't think I've seen it before, but I'm not a Walther specialist.

Lone Star

 

[CWatson]

[www.p38forum.com] Will tell you anything you want to know on Walthers.CWatson

 

[BigG]

I think it might be Mauser.

 

[Lone Star]

Mauser used the codes byf and svw, the latter late in the war.

I may join the P-38 site and ask. Didn't see it posted there by anyone else so far, but thanks for the link.

Lone Star

 

[BigG]

"Small Arms of the World" 12th ed., page 488 names the WWII maker codes thus: ac for Walther, cyq for Spree Werke, byf and svw for Mauser, dov for Brunn (Brno), and ch for FN. the code you listed does not appear. HTH

 

[BluesBear]

If the gun has been buffed or is just worn or very rusted/dirty, byf could have degenerated into hv.

 

[Jim K]

Odd, because I read that the gun was a Walther PP. Does anyone have real pics or know for sure? Playboy is hardly a magazine staffed by gun experts, unless you use an alternate meaning for the word "gun." Just curious.

Jim