CYQ P38

Forgot to add t my analysis, correct Posselt grips. P38's are easier than Lugers....

She’s pretty worn, but I honestly like some guns like that. Finish seems original and condition is fitting for a late spreewerk warhorse. Lovely find man

Decent enough pistol. Your analysis is correct. The number under the grip (511) is referred to by long time P38 collectors as the ULG (Under the Left Grip) number. No one knows what it really means, but it has been surmised to have been a number to track the frame through production. The ULG numbers didn't start until early 1943 and presumably by that time they had been in production long enough that perhaps some frames had gone 'missing'.

As you noted, nothing really unusual about it. No big glaring wear or flaws. The E/88 mag goes with an earlier pistol, but it is 'correct' for a Spreewerk. Magazine looks like it has been cleaned up a bit based on the scratches all over it. If you look at the right side of the barrel (the one thing you didn't show a picture of), you will see a letter/number combination, something like 'B7'...that is the lot number of the barrel.

Be careful with what ammo you use if you plan on shooting it if you aren't a reloader. Slides do crack on these pistols with use.

I have about 1000 Rnds my buddy loaded for shooting suppressed, 147 [email protected] 950 fps, will that do?

I was reading about the standard German 9mm rounds of WWII. The article stated that a 115gr. was to be loaded @1400 fps. That’s hot by todays standards, most is loaded to 1200fps or less.

Welcome to the P.38 club.

FIrst off, welcome to the forum! And welcome to the world of P38 collecting. Your analyste of your P38 is correct. A nice wartime P38 made by Spreewerk in 1944. It is well worn, but honest wear, and I personally like that a lot!

As others have mentioned, the "511" marking on your P38 is a frame number, or assembly number for the frame. It has nothing to do with the serial number, so no need to worry about it not matching your serial number.

Matt

I do plan to shoot it, but I’ll add it to my firearms rider first. Next is a Luger and maybe a m1922. Hoping to find a Mauser 36-42 in a little better shape than the P38, more study to do. Figuring out the P38 is a snap compared to Lugers.

Regular byf Luger is not expensive unless it is a Black Widow or "ku". But a nice original regular one still costs $2k plus. Maybe OK to shoot a few rounds, but it's not for frequent shooting either. Black Widow is absolutely no shooting due to the fragile grips.

TomJ said:

I have about 1000 Rnds my buddy loaded for shooting suppressed, 147 [email protected] 950 fps, will that do?

I was reading about the standard German 9mm rounds of WWII. The article stated that a 115gr. was to be loaded @1400 fps. That’s hot by todays standards, most is loaded to 1200fps or less.

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I keep mine around 1050 fps with a 115 gr. round nose bullet. Works great in my shooter Luger too.

MAUSER888 said:

I keep mine around 1050 fps with a 115 gr. round nose bullet. Works great in my shooter Luger too.

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What Mauser888 said. DO NOT shoot your friend's 147 grain reloads in your P.38. I also don't know where the author of the article you read came up with 1400 fps for WW2 9mm but that's an insane velocity unless it was a very light, special purpose bullet. DO NOT abuse your pistol with hot loads. If you must buy cartridges, try White Box Winchester 115 grain. They seem to be safe in Lugers and wartime P.38's.

MAUSER888 said:

Be careful with what ammo you use if you plan on shooting it if you aren't a reloader. Slides do crack on these pistols with use.

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And locking blocks break, and the top of the slide pops off. A big improvement on the Luger.
mji1198.

Doubs said:

What Mauser888 said. DO NOT shoot your friend's 147 grain reloads in your P.38. I also don't know where the author of the article you read came up with 1400 fps for WW2 9mm but that's an insane velocity unless it was a very light, special purpose bullet. DO NOT abuse your pistol with hot loads. If you must buy cartridges, try White Box Winchester 115 grain. They seem to be safe in Lugers and wartime P.38's.

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Spent a few minutes trying to find which article/site stated that(quickly seen several places state 1200-1300 fps for German WWII 9mm). Been reading alot lately and cant place it and didnt make a note in my note pad. When I read it it stuck with me because it seemed eccessive.

My "buddy" is a Class 7 manufacturer of ammo, selling ammo for a profit. Does that make it trustworthy to use as its a reduced power load or should I still try the White Box Winchester?

I will say that when I ran accross the Spreewerk I was looking for a P1 surplus police rig to shoot. The Spreewerk fell in my lap for $600, about the price of a decent surplus P1. I then tripped into a rabbit hole, I think....

I wasnt planning on firing it much, 2/3 mags is all.

Agree with all the above.
Don't shoot your buddy's 147 grain.
It's an honest and correct P38. Nothing wrong with your pistol, just some wear. (not abuse)

WARNING: This cyq P38 is a gateway German drug.
Next thing you know, you'll be thinking "Hey, I already have a third of the P38 manufacturers. I should have a Walther and a Mauser. A maybe a P08, and an M1922, P27, Radom, ..................."

The grips on that one look really nice.