WWII Nazi German Mauser P.38 P38 P-38 byf-44 9mm Semi-Auto Pistol, 1944 C&R
SOLD FOR: $3276
LSB#: 210317JM07
Make: Mauser
Model: P.38
Serial Number: 4997c
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 “4997c”. The left side of frame is marked “4997c” and with an “Eagle / WaA135” 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 / WaA135” Waffenamts with an Eagle holding a globe with Swastika in the center. The left barrel flat is marked with an “Eagle / WaA135” Waffenamt and the front barrel flat is marked “4997/ c”. The bottom of the barrel stop is marked “997 / c”. The left side of the lug on the bottom of the barrel stop is marked with an Eagle Holding a Globe with Swastika and the right side is marked with an “Eagle / WaA135” 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 (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 two-piece serrated black Polyamid 6 panels, typical of late-war Mauser production. The grips have light handling wear with some scattered minor nicks, scratches and scuffs, most in the smooth borders. There is some more notable wear in the serrations of the right panel on the rear. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Gray Phosphate slide and frame, Blued barrel (typical of byf44 production)
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 96% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges. There are a few scattered minor nicks and scuffs. The fronstrap has minor handling wear. The action has minor operational wear. The screw head is sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about Fine condition.
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 is tight to the frame but moves smoothly. 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 in a black leather flap-holster with a total of two 8-round magazines with “eagle / 359″on the spine (Walther). The holster has had “TLP” hand-carved on the spare magazine pouch, showing scattered wear and some thinning of the black color on edges, with intact stitching, in about Good-Very Good condition. One magazine is marked “P.38v” on the left and eagle over “WaA135” on the spine (Mauser production), showing minor operational wear, intact feed lips and a strong spring, in Fine condition. The second magazine is marked “P.38” on the left and eagle over “359” on the spine (Walther production), showing light operational wear, intact feed lips and a strong spring, in Very Good condition.
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 features seen on late-war production models. This includes a flat-bar side stop, gray phosphate finish on the slide and frame, black synthetic grips, and the rougher finish seen as the tides began to turn and the Nazi war machine cut corners to both speed up and reduce the cost of production. It has the correct markings, matching serial numbers, and about 96% of its original finish remaining. The bore is surprisingly good and the mechanics are strong. This is a great 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!