New Jersey has once more deemed me a model citizen, so I was issued a few handgun permits. Here's my first buy:



A Manurhin P1 in the serial range 2180xx. The finish is like nothing I've ever seen on a P1/P38. After spending a few hours researching and looking at examples, I think that the barrel, slide and many small parts like the front / rear sights and the Mag catch have been Carbonia blued. In indoor light, it looks like a highly polished deep charcoal black color. When it's out in the sun however, it changes to a dark midnight blue. Look at the barrel long enough, and the blueing begins to look 3d. Even the mag latch looks like it was treated the same way. The 2 mags that came with the pistol look like they were some kind of fire blued {nitrate bluing maybe?}.



Trigger guard has police marking. Right side of slide has what looks like a Manurhin proof, and the crossed cannons and the 3 on top denote a slide that was originally going to Portugal. Front of Barrel, left side of slide and left side of frame all have the Walther "bulls-eye".

Quality-wise, I would say that the gun is high end excellent. 95-98% exterior, mirror bore with sharp lands, action is very smooth. No appreciable wear on the alloy frame (no hex bolt). Barrel, slide, hammer, sight are 95% with some slight holster wearing at corners.

It doesn't look like it was refurbished. Anyone know of any other P1 or P38 finished like this? If anyone can help me with year of manufacture, or if you have another idea of what kind of finish this is, plese tell me.

The piece came with a beautifully condition holster marked:
12/25/86
P38
NLM
Anyone know who/what/or where NLM is?
From what I understand, the holster was made quite a few years after the manufacture of the handgun, but it does seem authentic.

BTW...This is one reason why I love gun collection. Tell you what, You look around and look around and never find anything you would really want. Then something like this falls into my lap and I get all pumped up about old weapons again. Can't wait to see what my other handgun permit will find. Whatever it, I hope it's soon, I only have 45 days left before the permit turns into a pumpkin.

THanks for Looking - I Always appreciate it.

Michael


Edited to fix some spelling, grammer, syntax, etc.