WWII Nazi German Mauser byf 43 P.38 P-38 P38 9mm Semi-Auto Pistol, 1943 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1125

LSB#: 210514MW15

Make: Mauser

Model: P.38

Serial Number: 6008 e

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 “6008 e”. The left side of frame is marked “6008 e” 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 “6008 / e”. The bottom of the locking block is marked “008 / e”. 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. The right of the frame is import-marked “LHD W.BORO MA”. The firing pin cover has an “Eagle / 359” Waffenamt (Walther).

Barrel Length: 5”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed to a boss at the muzzle. The rear sight is a “U”-notch dovetailed to the rear of the slide.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece black synthetic with grooves and a lanyard cutout on the left panel. The left panel has five grooves interrupted by the grip screw with “1W” maker code for Julius Posselt, the right has the 1528 marking of AEG on the interior, an eagle over “359” waffenamt (Walther) and has six grooves interrupted by the screw hole. The grips have some scattered nicks, scrapes and scuffing. There is some more notable wear on the raised portion around the slide stop on the left panel. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition as not original to the gun.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Refinished

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is some scattered light erosion in the bore.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 98% of its current metal finish. The finish is generally strong throughout. There are some areas which show a slight plum hue. There are some scattered spots of erosion under the finish, most on the left of the slide and barrel. The action shows minor operational wear. The screw head is sharp. The markings are generally clear, the right-side slide markings are shallow, but legible. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good-Fine condition as refinished.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The double action trigger pull is heavy and slightly rough, the single action pull has a smooth takeup followed by a 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 “359” waffenamt on the spine (Walther) and “6704j” on the floorplate. The magazine has light operational wear, some light erosion under the finish, intact feed lips and a strong spring, in Very Good condition as refinished.

Our 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-Fine condition as refinished retaining about 98% of its new metal finish. There is some light erosion in the bore, but it is shootable and the mechanics are strong. The grips and firing pin cover have been replaced, but the serialized parts still match. This pistol is perfect for adding to a WWII collection and should still be a fun shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!