Mauser SVW P.38 9mm 5″ Double Action Semi Automatic Pistol MFD 1945 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2,225.00
LSB#: LSB250512SG155
Make: Mauser
Model: P.38
Serial Number: 1744F
Year of Manufacture: 1945, C&R
Caliber: 9mm Luger (9x19mm Parabellum)
Action Type: Double Action Semi-Automatic Pistol Fed by Detachable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “P.38 / SVW 45 /1744F”. The left side of the frame is marked “1744F” and has a Waffenamt “135” acceptance stamp. The left front of the barrel lug is marked “1744F”. The right side of the slide is marked with two “Eagle / WaA135” Waffenamt inspection stamps and an Eagle holding a spooky pinwheel.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated blade dovetailed to the slide. The rear sight is a square notch in a raised base machined into the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece black ribbed synthetic panels. There is minor handling wear present. The grips rate in about Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright, the rifling is sharp. There is no visible erosion in the bore. There is light stubborn fouling present. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 92% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows light operational wear. The screw heads are sharp. The pins are clean. The markings are crisp. Overall, this pistol rates in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The decocker functions as intended. The slide locks back properly on an empty magazine. We did not fire this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol includes one 8-round magazine.
Our Assessment: This Mauser SVW P.38 is a fascinating transitional piece from the waning days of World War II and the immediate aftermath. As Allied forces closed in, Mauser continued production of the P.38 pistol under German control using the factory code “SVW,” which replaced the earlier “byf” designation beginning in 1945. The last of these pistols produced by the Germans are reported to have ended at serial number 3000 in the “f-block,” all marked “SVW45.” This pistol represents that crucial crossover point in arms production history and embodies the turbulent shift from wartime to post-war control.
When the Mauser factory was liberated by Allied forces in April 1945, it was handed over to the French Army, who were in urgent need of arms. Rather than dismantle or discard the vast stores of P.38 parts left behind, the French wisely opted to resume assembly of the pistols using the original German parts, beginning in May 1945. Remarkably, they made no attempt to scrub German Waffenamt inspection stamps or change the factory codes. Instead, they preserved the original SVW markings and continued with the German serial numbering system. This practice has created a highly collectible category of pistols known as “French-assembled Mauser P.38s,” which remain mechanically identical to their wartime counterparts but carry post-war historical intrigue.
Whether you are a seasoned collector of WWII-era sidearms or a student of Cold War history, this pistol offers a unique bridge between two periods of military history. From its authentic Mauser components to its occupation-era final assembly, it stands as a testament to both wartime engineering and post-war resourcefulness. Please see our high quality photos and good luck on your bid! – M.C.
