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Scarce and Unusual Mauser Banner P-38

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:500.00 USD Estimated At:750.00 - 1,000.00 USD
Scarce and Unusual Mauser Banner P-38
Auction Location:

16600 Aston Street
Irvine, CA
Scarce and Unusual Mauser Banner Marked P-38 Semi-Automatic Pistol, #566k, 9mm, 5'' barrel, blue finish, black phenolic resin grips, in pebblegrain black holster coded ''CXB'' (Moll Leiderwarenfabric/Rheinland). In Vol. 2 of the ''P.38 Pistol'', by Buxton, Page 87, the Mauser Banner P-38s are discussed, and no conclusions are made to their origins or authenticity. Buxton does state in fact that some are of Mauser mfg., whereas others are clearly Walthers. It is interesting to note that although the Banner is engraved and not rolled, the P.38 nomenclature on the slide is engraved as well. The serial numbers are rolled and common to production guns. ''Safe'' and ''Fire'' safety markings retain original factory paint. Also of interest is the fact that the ''CXB'' holster is dated ''4'' then a blank space, without the final year designation. It is quite possible that these pistols were rebuilt pistols with replacement parts that were to be immediately post-war market!
ed to occupying servicemen, as any saleable firearms were being scooped up by American servicemen at the time. Buxton goes on to speculate that these pistols could have been marked ''Mauser'' as an internal Mauser factory inventory control. If the guns were to be passed around with paper tags, the paper tags may have become lost or detached. He also speculates that these could have been outright fakes done in the 1950's or 1960's, which is doubtful because the effort to place the markings would have gained very little at the time with collectors and shooters. Also the question arises as to why the P.38 slide designation is also marked in a similar manner. This, added with the fact that the holsters were unmarked with their final year, makes one surmise that they are probably WWII production surplus that was never marked or issued. This complete rig was purportedly brought back from Europe after the War by the consignor's father, a Colonel with the U.S. Army Corps of E!
ngineers, on occupational duty. Pistol shows all visible matc!
hing sma
ll parts, including breechblock, slide and frame. Magazines are of WWII mfg., one marked ''AC''; the other with a slightly more mill finish is blank. Condition is excellent with only slight highpoint edgewear and may have been partially refinished at time of overhaul. Grips show only light markings just below the thumb safety. Action is crisp, bore is excellent. Pebblegrain holster shows thinning to grain at flap and magazine pocket, with approx. 2'' of present but loose stitching at forward edge of flap attachment. Est.: $750-$1,000.