WW2 German Mauser BYF 43 P.38 P-38 9mm Semi-Auto Pistol MFD 1943 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,258.51

LSB#: WY240915JF006

Make: Mauser

Model: P.38

Serial Number: 9624O

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 “9624O”. The left side of the frame is marked “9624O” 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 Spooky Pinwheel in the center. The left barrel flat is marked with an “Eagle / 135” Waffenamt and the front barrel flat is marked “9624O”. The bottom of the locking block is marked “624O”. The left side of the lug on the bottom of the locking block is marked with an Eagle Holding a Globe with Spooky Pinwheel 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 Spooky Pinwheel. We could not find an import mark on this pistol.

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 AEG black synthetic with grooves, a lanyard cutout on the left panel and have six grooves interrupted by the screw hole. The grips have some scattered nicks, scratches and scuffing. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is no visible erosion in the bore. There is some stubborn fouling in the rifling. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9/10

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 85% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is scattered scratches and scuffs on the barrel, slide and frame. The screwheads are tool marked, the markings are clear. In this writer’s opinion, this pistol rates in Very Good overall condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. 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 black leather flap holster and a total one 8 round magazine.

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 Mauer byf-43 is in about Very Good condition retaining about 85% of its metal finish. The serialized parts still match. It is worth mentioning the lack of an import mark, making this very collectible. This pistol is perfect for adding to a WWII collection. Please see our photos and good luck on your bid! -M.C.