WWII Nazi German Mauser P.38 P38 P-38 byf-44 9mm Semi-Auto Pistol, 1944 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1525
LSB#: 210720DW33
Make: Mauser
Model: P.38
Serial Number: 5836
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 “5836”. The left side of frame is marked “5836” 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 “5836”. The bottom of the barrel stop is marked “836”. 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 brown AEG panels. The grips have scattered light handling wear, but no notable damage. The serrations are well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
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 90% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges. There is some minor oxidation on the left of the slide as well as the left and top of the barrel. The grip areas show minor handling wear and some faint oxidation. There are a few other scattered minor marks. The action shows light operational wear. The screw head is lightly tool marked with a strong slot. The markings are mostly clear, some of the inspection marks are poorly struck. Overall, this pistol is in about Very Good-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 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 brown leather flap holster and a total of two 8-round magazines. One magazine is marked “9793” on the floorplate and “jvd” on the left (Czech production). This magazine shows finish wear which has been treated with cold blue, scattered erosion, intact feed lips and a strong spring, in Good condition. The other magazine is marked “P38” on the left, eagle over “WaA706” and “jvd” on the spine (also Czech), showing scattered light wear, intact feed lips and a strong spring, in Very Good condition. The holster has scattered wear, discoloration and intact stitching, in about 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 Mauser byf-44, and a fairly early one as it was produced in the first 10,000 of the year, lacking a letter suffix. It has the correct markings, matching serial numbers, and about 94% of its original finish remaining. The bore is still great 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!