BYF 43 E Block Serial P.38 Pistol

[komet45]

I had been searching for a P.38 that would fit my budget and had a chance to pick this one up in 2021 for a price I simply could not refuse. It's far from perfect; it has an import mark (New Helvetica Mercantile Co.), the slide appears to have be refinished loosing the "S" and "F" painted indicators, the AEG grips are incorrectly (for my pistol) stamped with Eagle 359 Waffenamts and appear to be have had their tops sanded down. But it's not terrible; all serialized parts match, barrel bore is excellent, no "capture marks" can be found, all part edges are sharp and crisp appearing to indicate only light service, a Mauser made magazine that appears to be "correct" for this era production.

There are a few interesting characteristics I have noted concerning finish. The Mauser "E" block serial number pistol often have the "dust blue" duller finish, and this pistol seems to exhibit that trait on it's slide. Also of note, many parts appear to have a "straw blue" tone and strongly contrast with other blued parts. All of these parts concerned appear to still retain their original finish. This appears strange to my eye, as the slide does appear to have been refinished at some point in the past.

I would greatly appreciate any insights you would share or criticisms you would offer, I still have a lot to learn about the P.38 and just wanted an original example to have in-hand to start with.

 

[JimF]

If you intend to shoot it, I suggest you wander over to the P38 forum and peruse the page/thread on DISASTROUS results done to the slides of these war-time P38’s.
I tried to link it here, but couldn’t.
p38forum.com

 

[komet45]

Thank you for reply and words of caution Jim. I also posted this pistol on the P.38 Forum, but their photo limitations are very prohibitive. I have read a lot of terrible stories of cracked P.38 slides (and worse) from using standard commercial 115 grain 9mm, even though those loads are much lighter than standard war time ammunition. I purchased this pistol as a reference piece to have as an example in my collection and had no intention of firing it. While many collectors feel compelled (maybe pressured?) to keep these nearly century old firearms in active service, I get a lot of satisfaction knowing the few I own are well preserved and safe. I have other war time production pistols that I have shot (Walther PPs, PPKs, Mauser HScs) but each has their own "eccentricities" that are undoubtedly related to age and wear from use. If I were to harm any of the pieces in my collection, whether they are textbook examples or parts guns, I would feel like I committed a minor "infraction" against history...as it all could have been avoided so very easily.

If I were looking for a shooter I would consider a P1, but even their prices have crept up. I have found similar 60s and 70s era Walthers that I enjoy plinking from time to time, but even they aren't as young as they used to be! A slow "firm rule" that is quickly becoming gospel to me is: "Stop shooting WW2 era guns."

 

[bayoned]

I really like the Mauser "Dusty Blue" pistols !