WWII German Mauser P.38 byf-44 9mm Military Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1944 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,775
WOA#: WY240315FS009
Make: Mauser
Model: P.38
Serial Number: 5567v
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 “5567v”. The left side of the frame is marked “5567v” and with an “Eagle / WaA135” Waffenamt. The right side of the slide is marked with two “Eagle / WaA135” Waffenamts with an Eagle holding a globe. The left barrel flat is marked with an “Eagle / WaA135” Waffenamt and the front barrel flat is marked “5567/ v”. The bottom of the barrel stop is marked “567 / v”. The left side of the lug on the bottom of the barrel stop is marked with an Eagle Holding a Globe and the right side is marked with a faint “Eagle / WaA135” Waffenamt (upside down). The left side of the barrel at the rear is also marked with an Eagle holding a globe.
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 Polyamid-6 two-piece serrated black panels. The grips have some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is some scattered minor erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 8 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 90% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. The grip areas show light handling wear. There are some minor nicks and small scratches. The action shows light operational wear. The screw head is sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good-Fine condition (see Mechanics).
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 with a total of two 8-round magazine marked “P.38v” on the left, one has eagle over “WaA135” on the spine, the other spine is unmarked. A black leather flap-holster is included.
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 high quality finish for the time, showing only a little of the rougher finish seen as the tides began to turn and the Wehrmacht 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. The bore 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!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
