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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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Forgot to add t my analysis, correct Posselt grips. P38's are easier than Lugers....
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A pic of the barrel lot number. The bore isn’t shinny but there is no apparent erosion or wear, it should be a decent shooter.
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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 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.
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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.
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The grips on that one look really nice.
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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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1. Just trying to get this into my thick head. My reduced loads, 147 Gr/950 fps. I’m guessing that y’all are disapproving of the 147 Gr bullet not the reduced speed?

2. I figured out where the 1400 fps For the German Military statement came from. Page 15(upper right)of Reese’s book Luger Tips. That still seems a bit “hot” to me. He even suggested removing 2 coils from the mainspring to improve reliability with todays ammo.
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