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Walther P38 AC41

3K views 6 replies 4 participants last post by  SAman 
#1 ·
Hi:

I am a new member, and I wish to say "hi" to everybody. I hope I am posting this message in the correct forum.

I recently acquired a very decent shape P38 AC41. Unfortunately, it has an import mark on the grip. I know
AC41 generally cost more their subsequent year counterparts but how much does that import mark knock down its value? All the markings on both sides of the slide and frame are present and legible.

Then I have another P38 BYG44, and again it is in great shape. Again unfortunately, one of the previous owners was stupid enough engrave (electric pencil?) his Social Security number on the back of the grip and
at the bottom of the magazine. This particular pistol does NOT have an import mark. How much does those engravings impact on the value?

Thank you.
 
#3 ·
Welcome to the Forum. To get really clear answers you will need to post really clear pictures.

The one pistol you described as a "BYG" is a typo. Could be a CYQ for Spreewerke production in Berlin, BYF for Mauser production or AC for Walther production. Those were the only 3 that made these for the German military.

Collectors will shy-away from a pistol with the etched personal markings. I can't see it, of course, but I'm pretty confident that this pistol would have value only as a shooter. That could be as low as $300 or less, or maybe as high as $450 to $500. Can't say without pictures. Again, if it's ONLY the grip panels and/or the magazine - both of those are replaceable with old stock parts.

The 1941 Walther production will have more value than the other, simply because 1.) it is a Walther, 2.) earlier production guns generally have a better quality finish than do the late war guns, and 3.) to collectors - for what ever their reasons - older means better. Somebody will jump in and correct me on this - but I am saying unless it is a rare piece or a special part of history - an older gun will generally fetch more in value. The import marks will decrease the value vs a non-import stamped gun. You say the import mark is on the GRIP? Most import stamps are on the barrel, and sometimes even the frame is stamped. Just being stamped on the grip panel does not sound correct to me. You lucked out if only the grip panel is stamped and not the barrel or frame.
 
#4 ·
Jim:

Thanks for your reply and info. I do appreciate it. Yes, the BYG was a typo, it should be BYF44
which made it a Mauser. The Social Security # was engraved on the back of the strap and the bottom of the two original magazines.

The AC41 P38.......... the import mark is on the front strap - not on the grip panel.

I apologize for the confusion.
 
#5 ·
Tommy - still need clear pictures if you can post them. The etched pistol *could* be polished and re-blued to remove the etching, but then it would still be just a re-finished piece and as such - still just classified as a shooter. Same for the original mags.

Having said that, to my mind the P.38 is an outstanding pistol. The one and only problem with them is that the steel is old now, and the parts are more prone to break with regular use. Mine is now 'retired', but it was my daily carry gun on the farm for a long time (it rode in a U.S. M7 shoulder holster perfectly). The primary reason I retired my P.38 was when I managed to loose the extractor, extractor pin and extractor spring, I found that the modern replacements were unsatisfactory and lost several of those in short order during normal field use. I FINALLY have found a combination of parts that stay in the pistol. But I'm not risking shooting it.
 
#6 ·
I am primarily a collector and NOT a shooter. I never did intend to shoot off my firearms which are
older than 30 years old. I also have a collection of Civic War firearms, e.g. the Colt 1894 Pocket, a Colt 1850 Navy, Winchester 30-30 etc. When I go planking, I use the most advance firearms. Walther has always been my favorite brand, besides my P38s, I also have several Nazi era PPs and PPKs. In addition, I also own several modern day (made in Germany - NOT the S&W type) Walther PPKs and PPK/S, 380 and .22LR which I use for planking.

Sorry, but my digital camera is not currently available so I won't be able to post any pictures.
 
#7 ·
I remember buying P38's for $29.95. P1908's were about the same price then. It is amazing how much firearms increased in price after the Federal 1968 Gun Law went into effect.

Hi:

I am a new member, and I wish to say "hi" to everybody. I hope I am posting this message in the correct forum.

I recently acquired a very decent shape P38 AC41. Unfortunately, it has an import mark on the grip. I know
AC41 generally cost more their subsequent year counterparts but how much does that import mark knock down its value? All the markings on both sides of the slide and frame are present and legible.

Then I have another P38 BYG44, and again it is in great shape. Again unfortunately, one of the previous owners was stupid enough engrave (electric pencil?) his Social Security number on the back of the grip and
at the bottom of the magazine. This particular pistol does NOT have an import mark. How much does those engravings impact on the value?

Thank you.
 
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