Help Needed Identifying These Old Model Pistols

Post by Mark

I must admit, that the P38 looks like a Nakata in some areas but, I still think that it is an MGC produced modelgun. MGC offered the P38, PPK, HSC as well as the Luger for quite a few years in their catalogs. I know that both CMC and Nakata where perhaps the first to offer all zinc handguns, but, as both CMC and Nakata suffered financial difficulties and ended up closing their doors I am sure that MGC was either licensed or bought all of the production tooling from them.

That, or MGC just copied the Nakata or the CMC pistols.
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Wanted to buy: MGC Sten MK3....trades?(still)

MGC MP40 Marushin MP40 Nakata MP40 TRC MP40

Modelgun manufacturers, past and present:CMC,CAW,Hudson,HWS,LS,MGC(R.I.P. 1960's~2007) Marushin,Marui,Kokusai,Shoei,Tanaka and Western Arms

Post by MadMike

Thanks a lot Mark. That would mean the seller was right, he sold it as a MGC modelgun.

I just got word and some pics from Doc. The P.38 should be made by MGC. Thanks, Doc!

Post by HIGUsan

Sorry too late.
I think MadMikefs metal P38 must be made by Marushin clearly.
MGC exported modelguns made by Nakata, Marushin and Hudson, not only made by MGC, for RMI.
Maybe modelgun seller or some one misunderstood and circulated wrong information.
I have two RMI catalogue, 1973 and 1977.
There are pictures of P38 military and uncle type both made by MGC on 1973 catalogue.
There are pictures of P38 military made by Marushin and uncle made by MGC on 1977 catalogue.
But both donft say about makers and place of origin of modelguns.
They didn't tell Marushin's from MGC's.

I write feature of every metal P38s
(1) Locking block work by
(2) Extractor type
(3) Trigger space shape

Nakata (1) spring tension (2) dummy on slide (3) heart shape
Marushin (1) spring tension (2) live (3) heart
CMC (1) unlocking pin (2) live (3) heart
Kokusai (1) unlocking pin (2) live (3) heart but trigger guard corner radius is small

MGC Tanio action type (finger action) (1) no locking block (2) live (3) oval
Richard jones show pics on the forum of buy and sell section. It has steel top cover on slide.

MGC MJQ type (1) no locking block (2) dummy on slide (3) oval

Marushin made finger action type after 1977 (1) no locking block ? (2) live (3) heart

MadMikefs P38 has locking block and live extractor, not have unlocking pin.
Trigger space is heart shape. I think it must be made by Marushin.

Post by MadMike

Hello HIGUsan! Your information is not too late, but highly appreciated and welcome! Thank you very much for this!

Post by Mark

Very informative HIGUsan!

I guess that I was unaware of just how many all zinc P38's where made and who made them. The RMI catalogs rarely seem to describe the true manufacturer of any of the zinc models as it didn't seem to matter to the collectors armory. The P38,Luger etc. where always advertized as display only dummys and they where available as "do it yourself" model kits. But, they almost never mentioned the manufacturer by name. I am curious HIGUsan, how did you get your RMI catalogs ?

It is interesting that the trigger space shape is not quite right compared to the real P38. The real P38 doesn't really have such a pronounced heart shape that I can tell.

Again, thanks for the information HIGUsan!
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Wanted to buy: MGC Sten MK3....trades?(still)

MGC MP40 Marushin MP40 Nakata MP40 TRC MP40

Modelgun manufacturers, past and present:CMC,CAW,Hudson,HWS,LS,MGC(R.I.P. 1960's~2007) Marushin,Marui,Kokusai,Shoei,Tanaka and Western Arms

Post by HIGUsan

MGC sold RMI catalogue as usual item before and I bought it.

I think Walther modified strengthen trigger pin hole and trigger space shape changed from oval to heart in WW2.

Post by Mark

HIGUsan wrote:

MGC sold RMI catalogue as usual item before and I bought it.

Fascinating! MGC sold the RMI catalogs in Japan???? That is interesting! I thought that the RMI catalogs where printed outside of Japan and only sold/given out by modelgun dealers in countries outside of Japan due to trademark issues from the use of the MGC name...