Wasn't questioning if it was real wartime., I see that it is. The P38 was made by 3 makers in WWII.

Walther - AC on the left side of slide
Spreewerk - CYQ on the left side of slide
Mauser - BYF on the left side of slide

just wondering the maker

Speaking of German WWII spoons, I just acquired this Walther PP chambered in .32 ACP:http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1432182893.jpg

It certainly isn't in collectable condition, but it should make a fun shooter.

The markings on it seem to indicate that it may be a Waffen Proofed, Luffwaffe contract firearm.

Here are my two German ladies:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1432183041.jpg

Speaking of German WWII spoons, I just acquired this Walther PP, chambered in .32 ACP (or 7.65mm):http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1432182893.jpg

It certainly isn't in collectable condition, but it should make a fun shooter.

The markings on it seem to indicate that it may be a Waffen Proofed, Luftwaffe contract firearm.

Here are my two German ladies:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1432183041.jpg

Postwar because of Phosphate finish and Dural frame.

Refinished PP if WW2 or before vintage.

Looks to be a rework as it is just so clean..tough to tell?

The trigger pull on the P38 is heavy and they were never built to be super accurate.

Tabs - you are spot on, as always! Actually, I dug a bit into what's left of the proof marks on the spoon - someone was more focused on refurbishing the firearm rather than preserving the markings.

The serial number (231xxxP) confirms it was produced in 1942 in the Zella plant.

Then I researched what was left of the proof mark on the trigger guard:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1432224193.jpg
The symbol is what is left of the left wings of an eagle, and the letters/numbers are:
WaA359. This indicates that the firearm is Waffen Proofed, Luftwaffe contract firearm.

Paid $545 for what amounts to a decent shooter. It is certainly not a collectable given its refinished condition, but it is pretty cool to know the history behind it!

- Z

Not a refinish, pictures and lighting don't show the wear. Nice honest thining of the from and back strap as well as the slide. You can see a little corrosion on the front of the slide on the bottom. Definitely not a Russian re-blue and no import markings.

Oh, I know, Dave - I was just clearing up which of the three wartime makers turned out this one. Maybe "real Walther" didn't convey that real well. Anyhoo, it's a wartime Walther gun. Pretty darn rough. Internally, rough to the point that it just doesn't cycle all that well. Good news for guys like my father-in-law, though... ;)

The PPK fans come out of the closet SmileWavy

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1432314896.jpg

My best ones are the worst looking. The S&W needed a recall, and the Manurhin is the only French gun I've owned. You can pick out the German ones blindfolded.
Jim

Another Pony added to the herd...........
 

Just added this one, a Colt Police Positive Target in .22WRF. It was born in 1923 and has the optional checkered wood grips with both ponies facing forward, something that Colt discontinued along about 1925 or so. The front sight is adjustable for elevation and the rear for windage. These guns were assembled by the most experienced workers at Colt and have an excellent trigger both SA and DA. Kind of a baby brother to the Colt Officers Model of the day. Only about 28,000 of the PPTs were made, making it a scarce if not rare Colt model. Some pics:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1432984658.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1432984679.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1432984709.jpg

Do you guys with the older German PPs find them to be higher quality than the brand new ones? I've handled a few new ones and been very unimpressed, but I know they are made under license by S&W.

Beautiful Fred.

My two Colts

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1432995334.jpg

I wish I could find and link the thread I read where an old (I think it was a K-17) S&W revolver was compared to a new (I think 617) S&W revolver. It broke down the differences and why the changes were made from a manufacturing standpoint. New S&W's are tremendous functional machines, but there are significant differences between what they used to build and what they currently produce. I would think new S&W PP's would be far more uniform piece to piece, and generally serviceable, but I suspect a good German PP is far nicer than a brand new S&W, just based on my experience with their new and old revolvers.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1432996109.jpg

Got a chance to shoot one of these the other day, very accurate, and a FAR better trigger than I was led to believe Taurus was capable of producing.

I have the fullsize verison, a little shy of 2k down the pipe, 1 double feed and 1 operator error(thumbed the ss with my weak hand.)

So to venture off topic, but still spoon related.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iDnEkFSMRik" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

U mean they are building shyte now as compared to bhack in the day. The slide in quality started shortly after the end of WW2 and continued through the 80's (for all American made arms, unless you wanted to pay for it).

A pair of Colts...........
 

Very nice! I like them both!

From one perspective I'm in total agreement, and from another I disagree. Metallurgy, competition and production methods have changed the industry. S&W could not have produced a functional L Frame .44 Magnum. In reality they couldn't produce a durable K Frame .357. Also S&W's 2 piece barrel is likely more accurate than those of old. They are building to compete in a market, rather than building to a standard and allowing the market to set the price, just think what would happen to price if old methods were employed today. Objectively they are building fine tools, but subjectively they aren't in the same league with the reputation they built. http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1433077795.jpg

Completed my first build. http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1434251787.jpg