P5c: Import Markings & Avg Pricing

[ColKlink]

I'm looking at a nice P5c right now, no visible import marks (& adv as having none), US/button mag release, matt finish on slide like L102A1, Left marked made in Germany (low center, w/no other markings other than proof at frt on slide. Rt side marked w/std "Walther P5 compact". I couldn't get the SN off the pics. I understand Earl's markings are discreet, I thought they were under the front of the frame but this pistol has nothing there.
In looking at P5c's over the yrs I've seen a number of guns w/no Interarms markings, what I don't know is, other than Earl, were there other importers? Was it possible for US Military/etc bring back guns sold in Europe during this time frame/was it always/is it possible to still do so? I thought that became verbotten somewhere along the line but I've been wrong lots of times!
I know what P5c's generally bring but unsure if any premium is associated w/the import markings or lack thereof. What are the most desirable P5c's, L102A1 & Heel mag guns excluded? Having lost out on the last two I found, one being an L102A1 no less, because I took the time to ask questions instead of bidding, needless to say the auction was closed early before my email was answered! THAT HURT. I've wanted one for so long I'm willing to buy just abt any but this one seems a good candidate.You guys seem to be the experts so I defer to your judgement. FWIW this pistol is flawless/LNIB w/all paperwk/etc.
Last & off topic, but why in the $%$# did Walther skip J in the date code?? Sig uses J, I'm unsure abt HK.
Thanks Again,
Josh

[BADSBSNF81]

Yes, US service members or any US citizen employed by the US could import if they went through the ATF paperwork. For US service members, this ended in the late 80s IIRC.

The I and J are to easy to confuse.

Premium for no import marks depends on the individual.

[searcher451]

You don't see many P5C models, so any one that you can grab is a good one to get.

From one of our Sticky notices:

A = 0
B = 1
C = 2
D = 3
E = 4
F = 5
G = 6
H = 7
I = 8
K = 9

A gun marked AE, for example, would have a born-on date of 2004; a gun with a GF stamp would have been made in 1965. (Note that the J is not used.)

(A note of caution: We've had a lot of discussion on the forum of late regarding the date code chart and whether the Germans actually eliminated the I or the J, as identified in the chart above. Because both letters are written virtually the same in German, with the J being slightly taller, confusion has set in and expert sources are not always in agreement. We have photos indicating that the I appears to be used, but is it really an I and not a J in the German sense? If you want to follow some of the back-and-forth on this subject, visit this tread:

http://www.waltherforums.com/showthr...t=10898&page=2

It's interesting, to say the least.)