But that 'broken die' seems to have been retained for some time, far beyond the life of a single stamp. There has been a lot of speculation about the Spreewerke cyq code becoming cvq due to a broken die (actually a stamp, not a die). Several researchers indicate that Spreewerke parts were shipped to, and pistols assembled in, (what was) Czechoslovakia, but I have never heard of assembly in Munich, which had no significant arms factories. I don't claim to know all about the Spreewerke production (who does?) but the statement that Spreewerke parts were assembled in Munich and that the 'cvq' code indicates that is a new one on me. So, my question is: Is this one of the guns assembled in Munich from parts, thus explaining why the barrel has been replaced? Or, is it simply a mis-matched Spreewerke gun, and therefore of lesser collector value than standard versions? Thanks, Howard. The gun is in excellent condition, although it does show the machining marks, common to Spreewerke. The original 'c' suffix on the barrel is not X'ed out. These numbers are also about twice the size of the original stamped numbers. The gun I have is interesting in that it is all matching numbers, except for the barrel, where the original barrel serial number (which had suffix 'c') has been 'X'ed' out and the frame and slide numer hand stamped '39' to the left of the X'ed out number and '75' stamped to the right. According to LTC Joel Johnston, (Ret), US Army, who has a website () giving values for various P.38 military variants, the 'cvq' was a 'Last ditch P.38 after 'cyq' die broke, assembled in Munich from parts.' He also gives this variant a higher dollar value than the standard Walther and Mauser types.

I just acquired a Spreewerke P.38, with 'cvq' code, no date.

Spreewerke p38