[Dgiz]

Well, Lloyd from Vegas came to out to Southern California this weekend, so we got together and spent the late hours of Friday evening looking at pistols. It got so late, my wife gave up on us and went to bed. The next morning we joined up and went to the Ventura gunshow. Once there, we spent some time looking around and talking to other collectors.
We saw some great stuff. Lots of HSc Mausers, some 1934s, a late, late cyq P.38 and a late 1939 Radom mismatch plus more. I think a good time was had by all. Lloyd spent a little of his allowance.
Here is a new one for me. This is not a rare pistol but not a common one either. I was very fortunate to find one in this condition.
From what I have read, when Mauser switched from P.08 production to P.38 production in 1942, things didn’t start off well. If I remember correctly, Mauser had a 95% rejection rate during 1942 P.38 assembly. Only about 700 were accepted by the German military in 1942. I don’t think anyone knows the exact serial numbers of those that made the grade in 42. This pistol is serial number 16a and was probably assembled in early 1943. This pistol is also missing the third acceptance stamp on the right side of the slide. This is not unheard of, but I don’t think it happened that frequently. The byf 42 marked slides were used up and then the 1943 dated ones began showing up in production. As with all assembly lines, there is probably some overlap in dated slides.
This pistol came in a 1942 dated hardshell holster. The holster is marked fsx WaA445 which is Albin Scholle Lederwarenfabrik, Zeitz.
I hope you enjoy these pictures and please add any information you have about the byf 42 P.38s.
Dean


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[Jan]

Dean, you are a lucky boy! My congratulation...

 

[Orv Reichert]

I believe the missing final acceptance stamp is just a 'screw-up' They are reported from time to time...I would be suspicious of any that were missing the Proof AND final WaA, however!

Obviously, Mauser had a bunch [about 15,000] 42 dated slides made up and they only used less than 1,000 during 1942. They were not about to throw them away or restamp them....they USED them!

Serial use of the '42 slides ended about mid 'a' block but a few show up much later...[see following list of later reported guns with the '42 slides.]

Orv

N0-SUFFIX
==========
7398 A
7931 A
7983 A
8235 A
8868 A
9050 A
9050 A
9381 A
9659 A
9822 A
482 B
919 B
975 B
1045 B
1164 B
1168 B
1371 B
1506 B
1703 B
1709 B
2708 B
2785 B
4741 B
6591 B
6723 B
6897 B
6983 B

Orvel L. Reichert
P O Box 67
Vader WA 98593
360 245 3492 tel
360 245 3702 fax
360 520 6520 cel
[email protected]

Quote.....Any given program, when running, is obsolete. --Murphy's computer laws..

 

[Lloyd in Vegas]

Just wanted to add to Dean's post about his excellent byf 42 P.38 purchase. The pictures just don't do it enough justice. It is a beautiful piece with a gorgeous condition holster. The P.38 looks like it came off the assembly line and was put into hibernation to emerge when Dean purchased the pistol.

By the way, Dean thanks for the wonderful hospitality and letting me invade your territory. Had just a great time at the Ventura show and the weather and setting were just absolutely beautiful--thanks buddy for letting me tag along. Thanks also for introducing me to the "Mauser Man"--that 655 HSc is absolutely gorgeous and the price was NICE! I will post some pictures of that specimen here soon.

I also, had the pleasure of seeing Dean's outstanding vintage military pistol collection and his wonderful research library. Dean you have one great set-up for researching and documenting vintage military pistols. Look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas in January for the SHOT show and the winter Las Vegas Antique Arms Show!

 

[cj029]

Orv,

For your records, I have byf 42 P.38 serial number: 4955b. It came as a complete rig, with holster and spare magazine, from the estate of a local WWII Vet.

Charles

 

[Jim Purnell]

Great looking byf 42 that you have!. The serial number is interesting as I just looked at byf 42 serial number 6a this last weekend. The condition of the pistol I viewed was not quite as nice as yours. I would think both of these guns spent some time in close proximity to each other.

 

[Dgiz]

Thanks everybody for the kind words and information. Hey Lloyd, thanks for packing all yor pistols for the trip to California, all were great examples in outstanding condition!
I agree, 6a and 16a probably shared an assembly rack, a bluing bath and a shipping crate together!
Dean