I just acquired a Spreewerke P.38, with 'cvq' code, no date. The serial number is 3975 n. According to LTC Joel Johnston, (Ret). Bergman Bayard, Bayard, Beholla, Beretta, Browning, CZ, Dreyse, Femaru, Frommer Stop, Glisenti, Gustloff-Werke, Inglis, Jager, Mauser, Menta, Nagant, Nambu, Radom, Star B, Steyr Hahn, TT33, Unique and German Flare Pistols. Belt Buckles and Holsters are also listed according to manufacturer and model number.

I have a post war P38 and always wanted a war era version. Any issues or concerns with the ones AIM is currently selling?

Any import history on these? Are these Russian captures?

TIA Original German WWII P38 9mm Pistols manufactured in 1943-1944 in the Spree Werke Factory and marked CYQ. Spree Werke did NOT stamp the production year on the pistols, however, the year can be confirmed through serial number records. These are original WWII steel frame P-38 pistols. These are extremely clean pistols that we personally selected; expect bores to be dark from corr. Ammo, all three major serialized external parts match!

I think that in most instances, the Spree Werk P-38 that is most often encountered in this country, were either capture by a U.S. GI, or the Russians. Captured pistol will typically be in its original (sometimes worn) finish, and have no post-war markings added.

Shirley Collins No Roses Rare more. The Russian capture will often be refinished, might have some of the tiny German eagles/swastika's defaced, and have modern import markings permanently stamped in the metal as part of U.S. Law concerning milsurp.

For plinking, I would think that they will generally perform equally. If you want to also consider $ appreciation in the coming years, the G.I. Capture pistol will likely command more money, and be more sought after by collectors. The import-marked pistol can be bought for a cheaper price, if that is of consideration to you.

However, they will both have fascinating WW2 history. Lastly, the Spree Werk pistols generally have the roughest machine and finish work, as compared with the Walther and Mauser. I am sure that I have left a few thing out. Does this help? I just helped a friend buy a P38 (it was received Tues) - Take your time and look EVERYWHERE - I found the one he got at a little local website in Florida - $475 shipped for an all matching BYF 43 w/correct magazine - Everyone else wanted $700 - $800 for original pistols.

When I looked on AIM's website - my first thoughts were 'refinished' and probably restamped to be matching - - I don't know this - - It isn't a slam against AIM - - the pictures look too clean / new for a wartime pistol.

New Items Added: 14th Dec 2017 Welcome to our website. World Military Collectables aims to provide a range of original, quality militaria items from the major combatant forces. Drawing on the combined experience of over 50 years in the world of militaria, WMC will seek to present a regularly updated selection of items from the Victorian era to the Second World War.

Predominantly featuring items from the First and Second World Wars, from medals, to uniforms, ephemera to aviation, all backed by a money back guarantee. We attend many of the major militaria shows in the UK where we would be more than happy to acquire single items or collections similar to those on the site. Andrew Gates & Roger Miles.