WWII Nazi German Mauser P.38 P38 P-38 byf-44 9mm Semi-Auto Pistol, 1944 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1000
LSB#: 210913BM07
Make: Mauser
Model: P.38
Serial Number: 1128s
Year of Manufacture: 1944
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 / 44” and “1128s”. The left side of frame is marked “1128s” and with an “Eagle / WaA135” 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 / WaA135” Waffenamts with an Eagle holding a globe with Swastika in the center. The left barrel flat is marked with an “Eagle / WaA135” Waffenamt and the front barrel flat is marked “1128 / s”. The bottom of the barrel stop is marked “128 / s”. The left side of the lug on the bottom of the barrel stop is marked with an Eagle Holding a Globe with Swastika and the right side is marked with an “Eagle / WaA135” 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 “4” 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 serrated AEG panels with eagle/359 waffenamts on their interior (Walther). The grips have light handling wear with some scattered minor nicks, scratches and scuffs, most in the smooth borders. There is some minor wear to the surface, appearing to be chemical in nature. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good-plus condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is some scattered light erosion and minor pitting in the bore, mostly along the edges of the grooves.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 90% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. The grip areas show handling wear and there is some other scattered minor finish wear. There are some scattered spots of minor erosion. There are some light nicks and scratches. Some areas of the frame show a plum hue. The action has minor operational wear. The screw head is sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The double action trigger pull is smooth, 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 in a black leather flap-holster with a single 8-round magazine with “eagle / 135″on the spine and “P.38v” on the left. The holster is marked “bla / 944”, eagle over “WaA159” and “P38” on the rear, showing moderate wear, fraying at edges and some more notable wear at the bottom of the spare magazine pouch. The magazine has scattered oxidation and some light erosion with intact feed lips and a strong spring.
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-44 which has fairly good finish for the time, showing some of the rougher finish seen as the tides began to turn and the Nazi war machine cut corners to both speed up and reduce the cost of production. It has the correct markings, matching serial numbers, and about 90% of its original finish remaining, though the grips have been replaced. The bore has some minor pitting but retains strong rifling and the mechanics are strong. This is a nice example of the byf44 series of P.38 pistols and will make a great shooter or addition to a collection. Please see our photos and good luck!