Walther p38 worth?

Borector · June 4, 2016, 09:04 PM

I bought this walther p38 yesterday it has the German war marks on it and is all numbers matching just wondering what it's worth

Borector · June 4, 2016, 09:10 PM

I tried posting pic of other side but it wouldn't let me. It has the markings "ac42" "p38" and the serial number is 2345j

James K · June 4, 2016, 09:30 PM

The short answer is that it is worth what you paid for it. The longer answer is that the gun appears to be in average condition and is without any unusual or unique features. They generally go around $500-600, more with holster and extra magazines.

Jim

kilimanjaro · June 4, 2016, 09:42 PM

Some holsters will sell for up to $400, if you got one with the pistol, don't sell it as a package.

$500 to $700 around here for retail.

Borector · June 5, 2016, 12:22 AM

Thanks!

**44 AMP** · June 5, 2016, 11:31 AM

AC 42 is Walther, 1942 production. The Germans used a 4 digit block for serial numbers, starting over and adding a letter each time the block was used up. A "j" would indicate somewhere in the middle of the year's production.

Check the gun for an importer's name & address. If there is none, then the gun is considered a "bring back" and has greater collector value than guns imported after the war.

Period holsters are collectable too, some bringing several hundred dollars, dependent on specific markings and condition.

Reproduction holsters are common, and in some cases it takes an expert to tell the difference.

James K · June 5, 2016, 07:58 PM

Two quick notes: The serial numbers rolled over to 1 at the start of a year, and went 1-9999, 1a-9999a, 1b to 9999b and so on. 1942 serial numbers ended at about 9999k, so 9999 times 12, or about 120,000 P.38's were made in that year by Walther. (By way of contrast, Remington-Rand made over a million M1911A1's from 1943 to 1945.)

The "359" was the number assigned to the head of the WaffenAmt (Weapons Office) inspection team at Walther; those numbers were assigned to a man, an officer specially trained in that duty, not to an office or a factory, and changed if or when the officer was replaced by another team commander. Obviously, one man did not stamp all the products turned out, though he was the responsible official; the actual marking was done by Walther employees under supervision of inspection team members. (359 remained at Walther through the war, presumably good duty, though he might have been elderly or disabled and unable to take other duties; the actual names of those officers was considered secret and AFAIK, no list has ever been found.)

Jim

P5 Guy · June 6, 2016, 06:54 AM

I had one with a matching numbered magazine that I sold for $400 three years ago. If that helps?

gwpercle · June 7, 2016, 06:54 PM

If you go over to www.p38forum .com and post several photo's , those fellows will be able to tell you all about your P38.

Discovered that mine was a refinished import , shooter grade , nothing special. They told me when , where and who made it .

Cool site.
Gary

June 5, 2016, 11:31 AM	#6
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,817	AC 42 is Walther, 1942 production. The Germans used a 4 digit block for serial numbers, starting over and adding a letter each time the block was used up. A "j" would indicate somewhere in the middle of the year's production. Check the gun for an importer's name & address. If there is none, then the gun is considered a "bring back" and has greater collector value than guns imported after the war. Period holsters are collectable too, some bringing several hundred dollars, dependent on specific markings and condition. Reproduction holsters are common, and in some cases it takes an expert to tell the difference. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

June 6, 2016, 06:54 AM	#8
P5 Guy Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2005 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 1,804	AC 42 I had one with a matching numbered magazine that I sold for $400 three years ago. If that helps?

June 4, 2016, 09:10 PM	#2
Borector Junior Member Join Date: June 4, 2016 Posts: 3	I tried posting pic of other side but it wouldn't let me. It has the markings "ac42" "p38" and the serial number is 2345j

June 4, 2016, 09:30 PM	#3
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	The short answer is that it is worth what you paid for it. The longer answer is that the gun appears to be in average condition and is without any unusual or unique features. They generally go around $500-600, more with holster and extra magazines. Jim

June 4, 2016, 09:42 PM	#4
kilimanjaro Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2009 Posts: 3,963	Some holsters will sell for up to $400, if you got one with the pistol, don't sell it as a package. $500 to $700 around here for retail.

June 5, 2016, 12:22 AM	#5
Borector Junior Member Join Date: June 4, 2016 Posts: 3	Thanks!

June 5, 2016, 07:58 PM	#7
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Two quick notes: The serial numbers rolled over to 1 at the start of a year, and went 1-9999, 1a-9999a, 1b to 9999b and so on. 1942 serial numbers ended at about 9999k, so 9999 times 12, or about 120,000 P.38's were made in that year by Walther. (By way of contrast, Remington-Rand made over a million M1911A1's from 1943 to 1945.) The "359" was the number assigned to the head of the WaffenAmt (Weapons Office) inspection team at Walther; those numbers were assigned to a man, an officer specially trained in that duty, not to an office or a factory, and changed if or when the officer was replaced by another team commander. Obviously, one man did not stamp all the products turned out, though he was the responsible official; the actual marking was done by Walther employees under supervision of inspection team members. (359 remained at Walther through the war, presumably good duty, though he might have been elderly or disabled and unable to take other duties; the actual names of those officers was considered secret and AFAIK, no list has ever been found.) Jim

June 7, 2016, 06:54 PM	#9
gwpercle Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2012 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 1,752	If you go over to www.p38forum .com and post several photo's , those fellows will be able to tell you all about your P38. Discovered that mine was a refinished import , shooter grade , nothing special. They told me when , where and who made it . Cool site. Gary