Third Party Press

AC45 P38 ?’s

Looks like this one was completed and sitting in the factory when it was captured. It doesn’t have the final proofs on it. Matching C’s are not super common, but not rare. This one has an FN frame which makes it more desirable. 1k is probably a little light for retail. Could probably bring a couple hundred more to a collector.
 
harley08 said:
Hope you bought it.
I have an AC45 - A block.
All matching
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I did...figured if it didn't turn out what I was thinking it is...could always flip it and recoup the money...P38's in this area (central/Northern VA) if decent looking are $1k minimum.
 
I have a matching ac 45 - p38. I won't sell it. Too hard to find nice ones anymore!
 
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From two pictures you provided, it looks really nice! That is a hard one to locate. AND, it has an FN made and supplied frame.

You’ll need to know if it’s all matching or not by checking the barrel and locking block serial numbers as well. There is a slight chance the locking block may not be numbered, but I think this one probably should be.

Wonder what mag comes with it?

Under $1k…..that’s an excellent price! My matching ac45 c block had a rarer late war tan ndk 44 hardshell holster, around 95% condition and that rig was $2,880.00 (back then).

For reference: P.38 ac45 #2602c has an FN frame (MI trigger guard, e/140 proof), matching and has only ONE slide e/359 proof. Most of these are mismatches with FN frames. So, it’s rare to find a matching one.
 
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Tiger 2 Tank said:
From two pictures you provided, it looks really nice! That is a hard one to locate. AND, it has an FN made and supplied frame.

You’ll need to know if it’s all matching or not by checking the barrel and locking block serial numbers as well. There is a slight chance the locking block may not be numbered, but I think this one probably should be.

Wonder what mag comes with it?

Under $1k…..that’s an excellent price! My matching ac45 c block had a rarer late war tan ndk 44 hardshell holster, around 95% condition and that rig was $2,880.00 (back then).

For reference: P.38 ac45 #2602c has an FN frame (MI trigger guard, e/140 proof), matching and has only ONE slide e/359 proof. Most of these are mismatches with FN frames. So, it’s rare to find a matching one.
Click to expand...
There are multiple pictures if you open the links. I will most likely have it tomorrow.. it is on hold. I will confirm the locking block serial.

The mag is also “ac” marked.. not sure I’ve seen that before
 
Here are my two P.38 ac45 c blocks. One is the matching one discussed and the other is a mismatch. My mismatch has an ac marked mag too. I added it to the pistol from my collection of mags. It came with a regular jvd mag when I bought it. Sounds like you hit the jackpot with yours. These mags aren’t just real common either. I didn’t know you could view more pics. I just did and saw the pistol. It looks like a real winner for sure.


4A244F89-5A47-4CF7-8B55-26508B2D62FF.jpegB279482E-18B6-4919-8A8C-4E7C0DF765E2.jpeg
 
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Regarding the "ac" coded mags, my understanding is these are considered "armorer/replacement" mags, but first turn up in late 1940. Undoubtedly the early ones would have had two E|359 WaAs on the spine. I just got one a few months ago quite reasonably at a show. It has one E|359 stamped about a inch below the follower on the spine...
 
Yes, they were to be “armorer’s replacement“ magazines. It’s easy to tell early and late ones. Early, as you said, may have two e/359 proof spine stamps. Early ones also have “P.38 (no v)” and have one e/359 spine proof stamp. Later ones have the “v”.

So, you need to see if yours has the “v” to see if it’s late or early.
 
Late war Walther made P-38s are still well-made guns. The Walther plant was never bombed, didn't use slave labor, and had high priorities for materials right up until the end of the war. An item might have been produced late in the war but it wasn't junk.
 
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