just joined the forum and i need some identification help and background/history on a p.38 that was brought home from the war by my grandfather.
I believe that it is a authentic p.38 taken from the battle field and not the factory but let me know what you think based on the specs. I will upload pics if I can figure out a way to do that.
The inscriptions on the left side read as follows from barrel end to hammer:
P.38 5575 b ac 45.
Inscriptions on the right side appear two proof marks with 359 underneath each and the wehrmacht stamp- the eagle holding the swastika. i have found 3 serial numbers all reading 5575 b (slide, above the trigger, and just below the barrel.
after more research I have dated it to around feb. 1945 and the factory was raided in april so mine just barely made it out. only thing thats killing me is the finish. its a stainless steel finish with brown grips as opposed to the traditional black finish. maybe this once belonged to someone important??
any info you have helps
I believe that it is a authentic p.38 taken from the battle field and not the factory but let me know what you think based on the specs. I will upload pics if I can figure out a way to do that.
The inscriptions on the left side read as follows from barrel end to hammer:
P.38 5575 b ac 45.
Inscriptions on the right side appear two proof marks with 359 underneath each and the wehrmacht stamp- the eagle holding the swastika. i have found 3 serial numbers all reading 5575 b (slide, above the trigger, and just below the barrel.
after more research I have dated it to around feb. 1945 and the factory was raided in april so mine just barely made it out. only thing thats killing me is the finish. its a stainless steel finish with brown grips as opposed to the traditional black finish. maybe this once belonged to someone important??
any info you have helps