Posted: 2/13/2007 1:54:03 AM EDT
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I would like to find out when it was made, Is there a site that has info on these? I got one from SOG, it look's really good with all the Nazi markings and a deep blue. Will get all the cosmo off today so I'll know more. Will be a nice addition to the WWII stuff when cleaned up. |
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To briefly sum up P-38 marks: There were three makers, Walther, Mauser, and Spreewerke. There were some rare early war Walther marks, but the most used mark was "ac" (lower case letters.) Mauser used "byf" until 1945, then used "SVW" (upper case letters) until the war's end. Spreewerke used "cyq" or "cxq" throughout the war. Most guns will have a year of manufacture stamped with the makers code. As example, 43 for 1943, 45 for 1945. A Walther made in 1944 would be stamped "ac" with "44" near it. Next is the actual serial number and "block" code. P-38 pistols were stamped with a 4 digit serial number and a block code just after it. As example, at midnight 1943, the maker was to start with the serial number "0001" until they reached "9999". At that point, the numbers started again at "0001" but a lower case letter "a" was added to the end. The numbers would run from "0001a" to "9999a", then the numbers would start again at "0001b" and so on. Note that the block code letter is PART of the serial number. If your gun was marked "1234d", the actual serial number is NOT "1234" it's "1234d". So, supposing you have a Mauser made gun that was produced later in 1943 and had the serial number "1234h". It would be marked: P-38 in larger letters. Then it would be marked "byf" "43" and the serial number of "1234h" would indicate the gun was number "1234" of the "h" block. Note that the letter codes DO NOT indicate what month the gun was made. While you can be fairly sure the "a" block was made in January, that's about it. For some reason, Spreewerke didn't use a year code, and I don't know how to date them. The people on the above mentioned forums do know. |
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Fantastic, thank you. Mine is cyg and it has the n code. Also has all the Nazi markings. Blue Book say's cyg were mismatched parts but this one is all matching. Even some of the smaller parts has the sn#. This is one from the SOG February Flyer. It's not a bring back so it does have the importer marks, but ok with me. Got the slide cleaned and back together last night, today I'll do the barrel and it's parts as well as the frame. Preserved in cosmo pretty good. Look's almost new except for the top of the rear sight has the blueing rubbed, guess by holster time. The help is appreciated. |
It varies quite a bit depending on how they are marked. I think there are something like 75 different varieties of P38. Try these two sites for more info: www.p38forum.com www.wehrmacht-awards.com/uniforms_firearms/firearms/p38/p38index.htm |
to "Hi-jack" this .......But my dad brought this P38 back from WWII........He gave it to me on my 40th BD....I will NEVER sell it
