WWII German Spreewerk P38 CYQ 9mm Luger 5” Semi-Auto Pistol 1945 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,027.00
LSB#: LSB251030RN008
Make: Spreewerk
Model: P38
Serial Number: 450z
Year of Manufacture: 1945 (C&R)
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Action Type: Semi-Automatic, Center Fired, Double Action / Single Action, Fed By Detachable Magazines.
Markings: The left side of the frame is marked “P.38 CYQ 450z”. The left side of the frame is marked “450 Z” and a waffenamt 88. The right side of the frame is marked with two waffenamt88, 57, and a spooky chicken with pin wheel. The front of the frame is marked “450 / Z”. The right side of the barrel extension is marked “Bi”. The left side of the barrel extension is marked “cyq”. The left side of the magazine is marked “P38”. The back side of the magazine is marked “WAA70 / jvd”.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed to the barrel. The rear sight is a U-notch sight dovetailed to the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two piece serrated plastic panels with a cut for a lanyard loop. There are scratches and nicks throughout. The serrations are sharp. The smooth borders have scattered scratches. The right panel has a large scrape. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Good condition.
Magazine Quantity and Condition: One eight round magazine in about Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original, Serialized parts matching.
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is defined. There is no erosion in the bore. There is light fouling in the grooves. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 8 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 93% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows handling and storage wear. There are scratches, thinning, and oxidization throughout. The leading edges have thinning. The muzzle has thinned. There is light operational wear. The frame and slide has a few light nicks. The screw heads are sharp, the pins are unmarred and the markings are clear and legible. Overall, this pistol rates in about Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this pistol. As with all used firearms, a cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance needs. The safety also doubles as a decocker.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: This late-war Spreewerk “cyq” P38 was produced in 1945, during the final months of Germany’s collapsing armaments program. Spreewerk pistols from this period are known for their rougher machining, simplified processes, and accelerated assembly, all attributable to severe material shortages and the urgent pace of production. Even so, the essential mechanical design, a double-action/single-action locked-breech system, remained intact, and the pistol retained its functional reliability. The matching serialized components and wartime waffenamt marks place this example firmly within Spreewerk’s late-war output.
Chambered in 9mm Luger, the standard German service cartridge of both world wars, the P38 transitioned German ordnance doctrine from the Luger’s toggle system to a more modern, double-action sidearm that influenced postwar pistol development across Europe. This example’s bright bore, defined rifling, and moderate finish wear are consistent with the utilitarian character of 1945 production. The tool marks, thin blue, and rough surfaces described in the listing are typical of the period and reflect the extraordinary strain under which Spreewerk operated in the war’s final quarter. Please see our photos and good luck on your bid! -N.P/MA
