Influx of P38s

[BigMoose]

But he's wondering where they came from... not so much about when they were made.

Yeah but that is a clue, who would have so many pistols from an odd narrow date range.

 

[Alamo]

When Saddam rolled into Kuwait and Desert Shield kicked off, Saddam made some noises about Turkey if it the helped the US, and therefore the Turks made noises about NATO Article 5, collective defense.* NATO was suddenly faced with the possibility of really going to war,** and against someone besides the Russkies.

The NATO E-3A Component, flying the AWACS planes, suddenly had to up its game a bit. Part of the fallout from this was the thought that each aircrew member might need to be armed. 17 members to each combat crew, 33 crews, thats quite a few handguns.

The Germans donated a bunch of P-1s to the cause. I got to see a container of them opened up, probably about 30 or so? Upright in slots, two rows of them I think. Was pretty awesome to see (remember, I was in the Air Force, we didn’t get to play with small arms very often). I had to take a cold shower when I got home.

I would like to have one or two or a dozen, but I don’t think I’m gonna shell out the bucks, Because then I’ll have to get a bunch of extra magazines, and then holsters and then on and on and on ….

* Officially The first time Article 5 of the NATO treaty was invoked was after 9/11, but unofficially I think the Turks pointed at it pretty heavily.

** After the Warsaw Pact threw in the towel, I don’t think NATO expected to see much action. The first Gulf War was kind of a rude surprise. NATO was not officially a belligerent, but that could have changed very fast.

 

[Magyars]

 

[Destro]

But he's wondering where they came from... not so much about when they were made.

I think your the only one who understands what I'm asking...

All I got were museum descriptions and ration can opener pics. Typical...

 

[DadSmith]

 

[rob63]

Here is a video from Atlantic Firearms showing them. He states that they are "surplus German sidearms", unfortunately, that isn't really clear whether he is referring to where they were imported from or where they were originally made.

 

[bgcatty]

Lots of fancy prices on those pistols. My !

 

[Expat]

I don’t know if this helps or not but someone on the HK forum was commenting on some P8a1s that the Bundeswehr was changing handguns and mentionEd that some of them still carried the old P38s still.

 

[Vodnik4]

Every place is sold out now! Are these pistols THAT nice?

 

[Bluedragon]

Every place is sold out now! Are these pistols THAT nice?

Yes, P.38's are quite a lot of fun to shoot as a 9mm and many people like to collect them alongside P.08 Lugers for their shared connection to German WW2 milsurp history.

 

[ben142266]

Speculation currently, but some are thinking they are coming out of South Africa from police units there