Need help a Mauser

[Mini14in209]

I recently acquired a old gun in a poker game. It looks like an old Luger. The markings on it say p.38 BYF42 all the serial #s on all the parts are 2257. It has several Nazi eagles with swaziticas on the gun. It's in great condition about 80% most of the wear seams to be on the finish of the grips. I was told the gun was brought back from war. I am having a hard time posting pics but I can email them if anyone would like to see it. I'm mostly trying to find out what I have and what it's worth.any help would be very appreciated.

[dotalchemy]

Pics received

[chknlyps2]

I googled BYF42 and this was 4th down on the list.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Value_of_a_Walther_p-38_byf_42_serial_no_8461b

[dotalchemy]

[Mini14in209]

Thank u very much

[dotalchemy]

No worries - nice win

Remind me never to play poker with you!

[Mini14in209]

The guy I won it off of put it up for a 300$ marker, I didn't even know if it was worth that much but I had 3 aces so I wasn't to worried. There's so much conflicting info on it on the web, anyone I showed it to didn't want to tell me anything about it they just wanted to buy it.

[NaughtyMonkey]

Nice. A gun in a poker game. Epic!

[Mini14in209]

Yeah she's in jail for another week, I'm just wondering if I can shoot it or if it's better to leave it as it is cause it's valuable

[Milsurp Collector]

Nice win! It is one of 19,000 made by Mauser in 1942. Appears to be all matching numbers, including the magazine. It is worth $700-1200 based on the few pictures posted.

Post more pictures at http://www.p38forum.com/ for more opinions.

While it is a collector piece you can certainly shoot it if you want to.

[mauser98k]

excellent win by you, stupid bet by the other guy.

that's a nice P-38. you can absolutely fire it if you want to. personally i wouldn't as it's all matching and a single broken part changes that. but if you do, DO NOT use +P ammo in it. the slide on these cannot handle it.

if you want to just look at it get a shadow box for it:

http://www.meadowsdisplaycases.com/

[beetle]

I'm not an expert in P38s but have a few in my collection. From looking at the pictures, I see some positives and some negatives:

Postives:
1) It's a BYF42 -- quite rare, first year production for the Mauser factory of the P38. The slides were actually made in 1942 but assembly didn't happen until 1943 as Mauser had to sort through some production problems. BYF42's are sought after by advanced collectors.

2) The proof stamps are the right ones. e135 is the correct stamp for this period.

What I dont' like about the gun:
1) Serial numbers are off. German pistols of ww2 used a 4 digit number AND single letter scheme. A correct serial number would be something like 2257a (actually an alpha script letter). The fact that all of the serial numbers are missing the alpha character leads me to think this is a forced rematch gun.

2) The serial number on the slide is in the wrong place. On your gun the serial number is next to the P38 BYF markings. Typically the serial number on the slide is found next to the safety lever.

Here's an example. This is one of my P38. It's a SVW45 (which is also Mauser after they switched from the BYF code). Notice that the slide serial number is next to the safety lever and uses the 4 digit + single letter scheme (6032e)



3) A little less conclusive, but I don't like the fact there is no trace of paint in the "S" and "F" markings. This typically indicates a refinish.

If it was an all original BYF42 in good condition I'd put the value at anywhere from $1300 to $1800.

For a re-worked, forced match I'd put the value at around $600.

Your best bet is to take it over to p38 forums -- those guys will tell you exactly what you have there.

Regardless, nice win on the poker game!

P.S. yes it's probably OK to fire it. Use something light, such as 115gr WWB.* (* caveat you should always have your gunsmith inspect for safety before shooting).

[Milsurp Collector]

What I dont' like about the gun:
1) Serial numbers are off. German pistols of ww2 used a 4 digit number AND single letter scheme. A correct serial number would be something like 2257a (actually an alpha script letter). The fact that all of the serial numbers are missing the alpha character leads me to think this is a forced rematch gun.

Like other German serial numbering systems, the letter suffix was added after the first block of serial numbers was completed (9999 or 10000 for P.38s). There were NLS (no letter series) P.38s that don't have the suffix. The first 9999 or 10000 produced wouldn't have a letter suffix.

See page 2 of http://www.p38forum.com/P38ProductionDates.pdf
Notice that the NLS byf42 P.38s were made in Dec. 1942 and Jan. 1943. Because the serial number on this pistol is low (2257) it was probably made in Dec. 1942 and no later than Jan. 1943.

[zinfull]

It does look like a rework. The slide and frame are early production. The slide ser # is not where it should be and is a sign of a force match. The going price is $350-400.

jerry

[Mini14in209]

I was told the serial #s were on the rite place for the first 700 made the later productions were place further back on the gun. I have also found a few collectors who are saying that this it correct, but u know how that goes, different info from different people. Has anyone seen any pics of the byf42 I can compare to. Maybe a pic of the first 700 and then a pic of the later byf42