Need help on 2 pistols

[stevinator]

I am trying to find info on a couple pistols. The Berreta is marked on left side as follows. P Berreta CAL9  then it says corto-m or it could be cqrto-m . after the m there is a mark that looks like a circle setting on a t .then it says 1934 brevet. The line under this one says Gardone v.t. 1942 xx  then 987447. My NRA book says brevet means patent. But the circle on a T didn't look like the proof marks I could find.Both of these pistols were brought home from WW2.The other is a p-38. The only markings on it are P-38 and byf44 and 2176Z . I don't know if it is a walther or not because it is not on the gun and I read where during the war it could have been made by other companies. If anyone has info to share I would appreciate it. I am not afraid to do a little research but maybe some one can steer me a little. I couldn't find anything on berreta's website where you could send them the serial# for info. Haven't checked Walther yet. My neighbor lady wanted me to give her an idea of what they were worth. The berreta looks alot like a cougar in my book but it's not marked as such. Thanks Guys

[John Traveler]

The Beretta is an M1934 military model in 9mm corto or 9mm Browning short or .380 Automatic Colt Pistol (ACP) caliber.  The letter "M" could indicate "marine", or naval issue.   Gardone V.T. means the city of Gardone, Val Trompia where the Beretta factory is located.  I don't recognize the o over T marking.

Your P-38 pistol was manufactured by Mauserwerke in944, as byf was their manufacturing code.

Value will be determined by condition, completeness, and matching numbers.  I suggest that you browse Guns America or similar auction sites for comparative values.

HTH
John

[Lee N. Fielder]

Check both guns to see that all serial numbers match.  Check the magazine on the Mauser P.38 and see if it is stamped with "WaA135" on the mag spine, indicating the correct mag for your gun.  If the soldier to whom the P.38 was issued lost his original mag then he would have been issued a replacement mag that most likely would have "JVD" stamped on it.  Anything else would be incorrect and reduce the value accordingly.  The Z suffix on the serial number is late enough that the grips should be the softer black shiny grips that Mauser used from about the V-block on in 1944.

If the numbers all match and the finish is original then the Beretta would probably sell in the $300-$500 range.  The P.38 is probably in the $500-$700 range, more if it's really, really nice.  Where they fall in the range depends on condition.  90% guns will sell for more than 50% guns, and so on.

Add another $100-$150 each if you have a correct bring-back holster for either, more if they're minty.  If these are true bring-backs then your neighbor lady may have the G.I. capture papers that were issued to the soldier bringing the guns back.  These will add still more money to the guns' value if she has them.

Here's some good info on Mauser P.38's:

http://www.gunsworld.com/walther/p38_hist_us.html

-Lee

[stevinator]

Thanks alot guys for the info. I will visit the sites you mentioned also.The berreta has a small holster in black leather with a mag pouch on it. The blueing might be 60% on it. The p-38 is gun only and missing the mag. The family can't find it. The bluing on it is better than the 380.I will have to ask if they have any documents.They seem to be in good working condition from what I can tell without shooting them.