WWII NDSAP German Mauser byf 43 P.38 P-38 P38 9mm Semi-Auto Pistol 1943 C&R
Sold For: $1,060.02
LSB#: 220601DL003
Make: Mauser
Model: P.38
Serial Number: 6389 p
Year of Manufacture: 1943
Caliber: 9mm Parabellum
Action Type: Single or Double Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine. This pistol has a de-cocker lever.
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “P.38”, “byf / 43” and “6389 p”. The left side of frame is marked “6389 p” and with an “Eagle / 135” Waffenamt. (The 135 Waffenamt was the code for Mauserwerke Oberndorf used from 1941-1945). The right side of the slide is marked with two “Eagle / 135” Waffenamts with an Eagle holding a globe with Swastika in the center. The left barrel flat is marked with an “Eagle / 135” Waffenamt and the front barrel flat is marked “6389 / p”. The bottom of the locking block is marked “389 / p”. The left side of the lug on the bottom of the locking block is marked with an Eagle Holding a Globe with Swastika and the right side is marked with an “Eagle / 135” Waffenamt (upside down). The left side of the barrel at the rear is also marked with an Eagle holding a globe with Swastika.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed to a boss at the muzzle, marked “2” on the left. The rear sight is a “U”-notch dovetailed to the rear of the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece Julius Posselt production dark brown synthetic with grooves and a lanyard cutout on the left panel. The grips have minor handling wear with some scattered light nicks and scuffs. The serrations are well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is some scattered minor erosion and stubborn fouling in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 90% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. Most of the balance is handling wear in the grip areas. There are a few scattered light nicks and scuffs. The action shows operational wear. The screw head is sharp. The markings are generally clear, some inspection markings are shallow, but legible. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good-plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The double action trigger pull is a little heavy, but smooth, the single action pull has a smooth takeup followed by a fairly crisp break. The slide has minor play to the frame. We did not fire this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a single 8-round magazine marked “P.38v” on the left of the body with eagle over “135” waffenamt on the spine (Mauser).
Oor Assessment: The P38 occupies a significant place in history. It was the first locked breech pistol to have a single action/double action trigger. After the start of WWII, Walther could not keep up with the production rate required, and production was ordered to commence at both Mauser and Spreewerke in 1940. Mauser was busy building Lugers at the time, and their conversion to P38s took quite a while, possibly because they didn’t want to make the P38 in the first place. Production didn’t really get started until October of 1942, and completed pistols were not assembled until early 1943. This P38 pistol is a Mauer byf-43. The pistol is in about Very Good-plus condition retaining about 90% of its metal finish. There is some minor erosion in the bore, but it is shootable and the mechanics are strong. The serialized parts still match and the pistol comes with a Mauser-made magazine. This pistol is perfect for adding to a WWII collection and should still be a fun shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!
