ORIGINAL: Strange Biller
I have a Walther P38 (the later version with the brown grips - the exact nomenclature I forget off the top of my head) that has matching serial numbers and is in pretty decent shape except for the fact that a US GI scratched his name and serial number on the slide probably from when he picked it up as a souvenier.
I like this gun a lot and it has some sentimental value as my great grandfather used to keep it in his vehicle as an off duty weapon when he was chief of police in a small town in Maine. I've had it for 20 years or so and enjoy shooting it now and then.
What I'd like to do is use it as a carry piece once in a while, but I'd like to have a shorter barrel to put on it when I do. SInce I obviously don't want to cut down the original barrel, I'd like to buy a spare barrel and have it cut down or, preferably, I'd like to find someplace that makes a shorter barrel for this gun, but I've been looking around and I can't find one. Anyone ever heard of such a thing?
Strange,
The Brown gripswere used on the war time pistols from 1942 to the begining of 1944.The black came out later (end of 1944-45) although you can sometimes find them on the earlier models. I have a Walther made in late 1941 with the brown grips and a 1945 with black.
If it's a true Walther (made by Walther and not other contractors during the war)) then on the left side of the frame you will see either a Walther banner and a "480" mark (this was an early Waltherstamp) or more common an "AC"with a number below it (the year of the pistol)
Mauser P-38's aremarked with a "byf" on the leftside.Spreewerke also made them and they are marked with a "cyq".FN made some and they are marked with a "fnh" andI believe they were made by Erstre Nordboehmische Metallwarenfabrik as well, these are marked with a "jvd".
Getting another barrel for it is fine as is shooting it but if it were mine I would not use it that much as it is a bit of history you have there as are all war time P-38's. More so depending on how they are marked (3rd Reich, "SS" etc...)
I don't know of any onethat has carried the shorter barrels for the P-38. I have seen them comeup on auction sites now and then so I know they are (or once were) made.
Good luck with your search and if you do switch out the barrels please don't lose the original!