WWII Nazi German Mauser byf 43 P.38 P-38 P38 9mm Semi-Auto Pistol, 1943 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1380

LSB#: 210913BM14

Make: Mauser

Model: P.38

Serial Number: 8757 c

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 “8757 c”. The left side of the frame is marked “8757 c” 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 Swastika in the center. The left barrel flat is marked with an “Eagle / 135” Waffenamt and the front barrel flat is marked “8757 / c”. The bottom of the locking block is marked “757 / c”. The left side of the lug on the bottom of the locking block is marked with an Eagle Holding a Globe with Swastika 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 Swastika.

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 is scattered minor surface wear which appears to be chemical in nature. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is some scattered light erosion in the bore, most along the edges of the rifling.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 85% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is some scattered minor surface erosion, most notable at the bottom-rear of the trigger guard. The grip areas show handling wear. There is some other scattered finish wear, most notable on the barrel. There are some scattered light nicks and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw head is sharp. The markings are generally clear, the right-side slide markings are shallow, but legible. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The double action trigger pull is heavy, but fairly 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 black leather flap holster and a total of two 8-round magazines. The holster is marked “fkx / 4”, eagle over “WaA869” and “P38” on the rear, showing light wear and intact stitching. One magazine is marked “P.38v / u” on the left and eagle over “WaA135” on the spine, the other is marked “P.38v” on the left and eagle over “135” on the spine. The magazines show scattered light wear and some minor surface oxidation with intact feed lips and strong springs. The pistol does not fit the holster well when the additional magazine is inserted in its pouch.

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-43. The pistol is in about Very Good condition retaining about 85% of its metal finish. There is some light erosion in the bore, but it is shootable and the mechanics are strong. The serialized parts still match. This pistol is perfect for adding to a WWII collection and should still be a fun shooter. Please see our photos and good luck!