WWII German Spreewerke cyq P.38 P-38 P38 9mm Semi-Automatic Pistol 1943 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1025
LSB#: 210608MW36
Make: Spreewerke
Model: P38 cyq Series, 1st Alphabet Run
Serial Number: 1123d
Year of Manufacture: April, 1943 (See Pg. 138, Vol. 2, “The P.38 Pistol” by Buxton)
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”, “cyq” and “1123 d”. The left side of the frame is marked “1123 d” and “Eagle / 88” Waffenamt. The front barrel flat is marked “1123 / d”, the left is marked with “Eagle / 88” Waffenamt and at the rear with an eagle clutching swastika. The right side of the slide is marked with two “Eagle / 88” Waffenamts, with an Eagle clutching Swastika in the center. The right of the barrel is marked “B 36”. The right of the locking block is marked with “Eagle / 88” Waffenamt, the bottom is marked “123 / d” and the left has eagle clutching swastika. The left of the frame, under the grip panel, is marked “207 D”.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The pistol is mounted with a flat topped “U” notched rear sight dovetailed into the slide and a blade front sight dovetailed into a band on the front of the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are brown serrated Posselt production panels. The grips have a few scattered minor marks. They have warped slightly at the bottom-rear with a gap showing between the two panels. The serrations are well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is light gray with sharp rifling. There is scattered light erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 87% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. Most of the balance is light handling wear in the grip areas. There are scattered minor nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is some finish wear along the top edge of the trigger bar. The top of the firing pin cover has some light wear. The action shows light operational wear. The screw head is lightly tool marked with a strong slot. The markings are generally clear, some inspection marks are poorly struck. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good-plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. It has a decocker safety at the left rear of the slide. 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 singe 8-round magazine, marked on the spine with an eagle over “88” waffenamt toward the bottom. The magazine has light operational wear, some oxidation and erosion, mostly on the front, intact feed lips and a strong spring, in Good condition.
Our Assessment: Walther’s 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 required, and production was finally started in 1942 at Mauser and Spreewerke. During the war, the German code for Spreewerke appeared to change from cyq to cvq, and this has sparked much discussion as to whether not there was actually a code change or if the stamp was just worn out, and the tail of the “y” no longer present. This pistol was made in 1943, and has a clear cyq code. It shows light wear in its finish, retaining strong mechanics and having some light erosion and strong rifling in its bore. The pistol is in Very Good condition with about 87% of its metal finish remaining. This is a nice find for the P38 collector, and would make a good addition to any collection of WWII P38s. Please see our photos and good luck!