Mauser P.38

[oldrifter]

I have a Mauser P38 made in 43 , the gun is 80-85% and does shoot good .  I am not a collector or do not have any intrest in war era guns.  I am trying to find out what the guns value is and it will more than likely be sold or traded for TC stuff or 45 carry gun.
Thanks oldrifter
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[Lee N. Fielder]

Really need a bit more information.

If it is 85% ORIGINAL finish, has ALL matching serial numbers, correct grips, correct eagle-over-135 waffen marked magazine, no import stamp, and no holster, then the value is probably in the $650-$850 range.  Closer to $650 with nicks and dings, closer to $850 with nice metal.  Locking block needs to be in-the-white and correctly serial numbered to the gun.  The barrel is assumed to be VG-Exc.  A bore that looks like a sewer pipe drastically reduces the value.

If it has any of the detractors above (mis-matched serial numbers, import markings, incorrect grips or mag, etc.), then it is just a nice shooter with a value in the $400-$500 range.

Add $100-$150 if you have a correct 1943 P.38 holster in decent shape. 

Last week I saw an all-matching Walther ac-44 P.38 in 95% condition go for $570 on an internet auction site.  On the same site I saw a Mauser byf-44 P.38 in similar condition go for $1,750 but it was a Nazi police Eagle-L gun that is much more rare than your common Wehrmacht issue.  I thought the Walther went too low and the Mauser went too high.  I guess ultimately the value is whatever someone else is willing to pay...

-Lee

[oldrifter]

Thanks for the reply , It has the 135 and the sn 82-- with what looks like M after it .  All sn match and the clip is only marked P38. The bore is clean and the grips look good and are the brown plastic or bakelite like I have seen on others.  No holster.   The metal is not dinged up at all .
Thanks oldrifter
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[Lee N. Fielder]

Sounds like the mag is not original.  An original Mauser mag should be marked P.38v on the side and the E/135 waffenamt should be stamped on the spine of the magazine.  Yours sounds like a late-war JVD Czech field replacement mag.

If the gun is otherwise correct then I recommend that you look into buying a correct original magazine.  It will raise the overall value of the gun by more than the $75-$100 cost of the magazine.  You can also sell the JVD mag to make up some of the difference.  They generally go more in the $50-$75 range.

-Lee

[oldrifter]

I got down to looking at the clip and it does have the v after the p38 but it is small , and on the back it has 39 under the wings.   It is for sale or trade and when I get the pics made I will post it for sale.  I wish I had some intrest in it but I don't .   Thanks for your help.
Thanks oldrifter
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[Lee N. Fielder]

Look closer.  The 39 number you are seeing is probably an eagle over 359, which is a Walther waffenamt code.  Maybe a lightly struck struck "5" in the numerals?

-Lee