I can get this for $850. My concerns are the grips. There are no markings on the insides of the grips. Just the circles and some scratches someone did. The color is a lighter brown than I'd expect. The one picture which shows just a bit of the grip shows the color best. Also the "F" and "S" show no indication of colors red and white. I'd expect there would be some considering the overall condition. There is a little warp on the grip looking at it from the front. I "think" I did read somewhere once that there were some issues with that. It really is in nice shape. Shows no indication of being re-blued etc. All the markings are very crisp. I do not have any books on these. Primarily a long gun guy. Took the pictures with my phone, so not the best. Appreciate any options. Thanks in advance!
Help needed on possible byf43 P38 acquisition.
- Thread starter mnguy62
- Start date
luftpirate
Well-known member
At a glance grips are post war. Im not the expert if they are just bad reproductions or possibly Vopo or some other flavor. That being said and regardless of other attributes I think value is closer to 650. Original pistols have sold on this forum recently 900-1100 dollar range, so if thats what you want I would pass on this.
luftpirate
Well-known member
Also it is import marked.
R.Blue
Member
Pass…save your $ for an unmolested example.
fishermankw
Senior Member
Agree with the above - for $850 seems high for what it is. Grips are certainly post war and does seem to have an import mark. For $600 sure, $850 meh.
T1D.Operator
Well-known member
If you want it, lowball the dude 500 bucks and say it's due to import marks. The grips are improper as @luftpirate has stated, and I've never seen VOPOs that nice.
If you're using this as a shooter, get a Walther P1. P38s from WW2 have a chance to crack depending on the ammo used. I've yet to see a Walther P1 slide crack. No reason to buy one marked as an import as a collector unless it's a stupidly rare variant like a prototype.
If you're using this as a shooter, get a Walther P1. P38s from WW2 have a chance to crack depending on the ammo used. I've yet to see a Walther P1 slide crack. No reason to buy one marked as an import as a collector unless it's a stupidly rare variant like a prototype.
Pete R.
Well-known member
From the look of it my first impression is that it’s been reblued. I would expect wear on the front strap, slide, and the safety markings are blued with no other appreciable wear marks. A pic of the top of the pistol would also be helpful in this assessment. Get it for a good price and would make a nice shooter. I agree with the above comments that the grips are not original.
Muncher 1953
Senior Member
regarding the P1, they are aluminum framed. if you go this route, choose a later one with reinforcing lug & ‘thick slide’. The early versions suffered from problems when used extensively w/ ‘+P’ & ‘+P+’ ammo, sometimes cracking frames & slides. I only shoot ordinary 115fmj through mine.
These 1943 Byf P38s had AEG grips with 3 circles on the inside of both grips. The top circle will have the logo of the firm, the middle circle will be empty and the bottom of the grip should have 1528 on one grip and 1529 on the other. They are kind of a dark red in color. I am sure that they can be found on e-bay if you wanted to replace them to be original.
PS- Make sure that the hammer de-cocker works as most do not. And the serial numbers should match on the frame, the slide, the barrel and the internal locking block to be sure it is an original pistol. Also, the magazine should have the correct waffenamp stamp on it....
PS- Make sure that the hammer de-cocker works as most do not. And the serial numbers should match on the frame, the slide, the barrel and the internal locking block to be sure it is an original pistol. Also, the magazine should have the correct waffenamp stamp on it....