[Guest]

Please see the photos of my P38, I have been corresponding with Thor (who has been most helpful) about refinishing it. I was wondering if anyone on the board had any thoughts about value after the refin. and a correct set of grips. Basically, what will I have when I am done (other than a wonderful example of the model)

I believe it to be an early ac 45 with fnh barrel and a wide groove hammer serial number is 2850b and it is a matching non import pistol

Thanks for any advice,

Craig.



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[Olefogey]

Ted Green (Thor) is the man to talk to about a refinish, and that is what it will be!! Someone has gone a little crazy with the cleanup and has not left any square corners or sharp edges. I think for the amount of money you will have to sink into it, you could probably buy an AC 45 in much better shape. In it's present condition, I don't think it would be worth more than $300 and as a shooter. I don't know what Thor has told you, but that metal will have to be taken down quite a bit to square up the surfaces and then you will lose the stamps. Just my opinion!! I understand that Thor's work is of the highest caliber. If you have it done, please post pictures!!

Dave

 

[Guest]

quote:Originally posted by Olefogey

Ted Green (Thor) is the man to talk to about a refinish, and that is what it will be!! Someone has gone a little crazy with the cleanup and has not left any square corners or sharp edges. I think for the amount of money you will have to sink into it, you could probably buy an AC 45 in much better shape. In it's present condition, I don't think it would be worth more than $300 and as a shooter. I don't know what Thor has told you, but that metal will have to be taken down quite a bit to square up the surfaces and then you will lose the stamps. Just my opinion!! I understand that Thor's work is of the highest caliber. If you have it done, please post pictures!!

Dave

Thanks Dave, if I have it done I will post before and after pictures.

Craig

 

[taudelt]

Craig.... I think I agree with Dave. I think some guns should be restored and the reasons for doing so are really up to the owner but I feel that a very rare variation such as a late war Krieghoff would be one that I would have to think about. I guess it depends if this is something where you have a strong attachment to the gun. They estimate that they made about 42,000 ac 45 P-38s which kind of keeps it out of the "rare" catogory IMO.

 

[Mark]

Craig,

Dave is correct in his thinking on the gun.

As far as the grips are concerned, in 1945 there were 3 variations used in the Walther factory. All were made out of bakelite and would be from Carl Walther himself, a company called AEG or Durofol. Here is a link to correctly identifing markings on P.38 grips:

http://www.p38guns.com/Gripinfo.htm

Mark

 

[Guest]

Mark,
Thanks for the grip information, I just can't stand those franzite grips so I will probably do something even if I don't have it refinished.

Craig

 

[Mark]

Craig,

Be carefull out there. Some auctions on ebay for "P.38 grips" are very nice repro's and not advertised as such.

Here is a link to a set of grips that the seller told me were "repros" when I emailed him.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7158335946

These grips have no metal hardware to attach the screw. DO NOT BUY ANY GRIPS WITHOUT THE HARDWARE, these will be impossible to attach to your gun!

Go for a set of post war P1 grips from various sellers for $25, they will fit and are nice for a shooter type pistol.

Mark