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CYQ P38

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My first WWII pistol purchase, this would be the one that sent me down the rabbit hole. Correct me if I am wrong but here goes my analysis: Spreewerk, April 44 manufacture date, numbers matching 4468 0(including locking block), e88 proofs on left side of barrel & frame, 2 on the right side of slide with acceptance mark. The question I have is what is the 511(3rd pic from bottom) center above the grip frame, left side?

What are your thoughts on condition(looking for honesty, you wont hurt my feelings, it was too cheap not to buy)? I am not much good at figuring % blue, id call it 50-70%. Taking pics trying to focus on the markings is not for the faint of heart.

As for the magazine. Proper ENM welds on left, presumably no other markings. See pics below, there is an e88 but it is so small it shouldnt count, center bottom.
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MP41
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:cool:
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MP41
Daniel76 said:
I only collect Spreewerk P38's and it really has nothing to do with the price (for me). They are the most unusual of the makers because of all the little oddities, strange marks and unusual machining finishes. I only collect the really early (no-letter-series) and really late (1945) pistols. They are quite different to be sure.

Your Spreewerk fact for the day: did you know that the first 500 pistols contained 7 or 8 parts that were marked with an Eagle/359 stamping? Because Spreewerk had not been a dedicated weapons manufacturer, Walther technicians were on hand along with Walther supplied small parts (slide lock, trigger, magazine catch, top cover, sear, magazine catch, hammer strut & grips) to aide in the production startup. Less than 30 of the first 500 have been accounted for.

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Daniel,

Very nice gun. I've had serial number 559, and it also had some Walther small parts on it still. (not 7 or 8, but a few).

These early Spreewerk pistols are highly under rated IMO. They have lovely high polish finish, and are a high quality firearm. I've only had a few of them, but I love them as well! :love:

Bestens,
Matt:cool:
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