Educate Me on Walther P-38s

[Go Navy]

I can't find the right thread on this subject, so maybe someone can link to a good thread, or a good website.

What I'm looking for is a good, accurate rundown on all the various versions and time periods in which this pistol was made, incl. pre-war, WWII, and post war.

I would really like to own a very good German-made WWII P-38, one that reflects their high quality manufacturing and finish before they had to start cutting corners or farming out the manufacture late in the war as we bombed the living Hell out of them. I don't care if it is a "bring back" or not, but it would have to have all the right markings.

I'm vaguely aware of alloy frame issues; I sometimes see a P-38 for sale that looks really rough, and that wouldn't be what I want. I'm willing to be patient but first I need to be educated.

Thanks for any contributions....

[19K]

I don't believe there are any pre war p38s. They started production right when the war started.

http://www.simpsonltd.com/index.php?cPath=156_171 go here to buy a nice one.

[Go Navy]

I don't believe there are any pre war p38s. They started production right when the war started.

http://www.simpsonltd.com/index.php?cPath=156_171 go here to buy a nice one.

One source I saw indicated that they began development in 1938 and started manufacturing in 1939. But of course Germany started the War in 1939 by invading Poland.

[Go Navy]

I don't believe there are any pre war p38s. They started production right when the war started.

http://www.simpsonltd.com/index.php?cPath=156_171 go here to buy a nice one.

By the way, thanks for the referral. I'll check it out.

[I Swan]

What's your budget? And the alloy frame ones are the post wat P1 versions. If you're OK with one of those you'll save a lot of money.

[Xsteelrain]

This links might help if you decide to get a WW2 p38

http://www.p38forum.com/technical/P38Chart.pdf

http://www.olarmyjoel.com/Virtual%20Arms%20Room/P-38.htm

[Go Navy]

What's your budget? And the alloy frame ones are the post wat P1 versions. If you're OK with one of those you'll save a lot of money.

I haven't researched enough to make up my mind about a budget, but my thinking is that if I'm going to do this, I might as well get a genuine WWII model and would probably spend up to $1,000. I don't know if that will do the trick. I would want one in pretty nice condition, not a beater, and probably one manufactured by Mauser or Walther? And that would be without holster.

[Go Navy]

This links might help if you decide to get a WW2 p38

http://www.p38forum.com/technical/P38Chart.pdf

http://www.olarmyjoel.com/Virtual%20...0Room/P-38.htm

Great sources....very helpful....thanks!

[Xsteelrain]

Two other great links I have saved to help ID them:

http://www.p38guns.com/FirstPage.htm

http://www.tague.at/pistolen/en_index.htm?/pistolen/pages/en_p38.htm

Depending on your location Martin B Rettings in Culver City normally has a few for sale at fair prices. Its where I picked up mine.

[zinfull]

For that price you can get the holster too.

http://www.p38guns.com/FirstPage.htm

This is the best place to learn about P38's. I would recommend that you buy 2 guns, one being a shooter.

[Xsteelrain]

Both my WW2 P38's were under 1K and were in very good shape with all matching parts.

http://www.legacy-collectibles.com/w...and-guns/p-38s has a nice selection of C&R pistols.

[Go Navy]

These are all excellent resources and I am grateful to all. It's very encouraging. I think I can get something of the right vintage and condition within my budget.

I'll need to study all this material and then narrow down what to look for.

By the way, on one of the links provided in this thread, I saw a "zero" P-38, which I think meant probably a pre-production model, asking $8,800! I'm not going there but that's interesting. Talk about rare.

[Go Navy]

Two other great links I have saved to help ID them:

http://www.p38guns.com/FirstPage.htm

http://www.tague.at/pistolen/en_index.htm?/pistolen/pages/en_p38.htm

Depending on your location Martin B Rettings in Culver City normally has a few for sale at fair prices. Its where I picked up mine.

Unfortunately I'm in the SF Bay area. I'll still check out Retting's website, though.

[6mmintl]

a year ago I let a nice 95% 1943 with matching mag go for $500

[Xsteelrain]

Dam where was I a year ago..lol

I'm actually going to be in Martin B Retting's tomorrow, if I see any P38's I'll let you know.