[Guest]

I have a P 38 that my father-in-law brought back from Germany after
WWII. There is no import markings or any kind of markings at all. The serial #3915. Right by the serial # it has a E, and looks like a Naiz eagle with a W a A 135 underneath the eagle. Can anybody tell me more information about this weapon? Thanks Yezer


Download Attachment: p38 1.jpg
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Download Attachment: p38 11.jpg
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Download Attachment: p38 2.jpg
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[Orv Reichert]

Someone has heavily polished and reblued the pistol.

If it was matching before this was done, it was an SVW45 with Serial Number of 3915-E. this would have made it very late war production. [April 1945]

In this condition, the gun is a 'shooter' as it has no collector appeal.

Regards,

Orv

Orvel L Reichert
P O Box 67
Vader WA 98593-0067
360-245-3492
360-245-3702 Fax
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[email protected]

quote........ Integrity is telling myself the truth. And honesty is telling the truth to other people. ---Spencer Johnson

 

[Guest]

Thanks Orvel
I talk to my father in law,He said he found this way.Do you think the markings were polished off? The firing pin came up missing afer he brought back from Germany and it sat in a safe. He came back in 1946. Thanks for your help.

 

[Mark]

yezer,

The markings were polished off the pistol. In addition your gun had a phosphate finish on some of the parts which were removed and blued over. Notice the slide release still retains that finish. Most likely, the e/Waa135, e/s, e/Waa135 on the right slide have been buffed out as well.

The following photo shows what the acceptance stamps and proof mark on the right slide should look like.

Mark

Download Attachment: AcceptanceStamps.jpg
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And what a Dual tone SVW45 with the phosphate finish should look like

Download Attachment: SVW45.jpg
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[Guest]

Thanks Mark
Do you have any idea why someone would buff the markings off? Their is No markings on the right side..I found the middle stamp in your photo under the barrel side. Worth anything?? Thanks

 

[oldguy]

Usually you buff to either;

1. Hide it from others, from what it originally was

or

2. They reblued it and it had some pits and they simply buffed the pits and markings out at the same time.

 

[Mark]

I have also seen some "high polish" P38's that had the slide buffed so much it looked like the shine from a pair of Corfam shoes! (Super shiney shoes, better than spit shine, non leather)

So perhaps it was also based on the technical ability of the gunsmith who reblued the pistol?

As Orv said the gun has "shooter" value, in todays market about $375.00 to $450.00 if it is functional as a shooter.

Mark