Stihl 038 history

[DONLAWSON84]

Was doing some cleaning at my pops house and found an old 038 AV "electronic", looks old but in pretty decent shape (aside from top plastic engine cover broke). I cleaned the carb, fogged the cylinder and put some gas in and it fired right up. From the feel of it blipping the throttle, this machine has some power. I was wondering if it is a more rare model? I ask this because it is metal cased and the serial number (6770377) says it is a 1977 made in germany. Any thoughts or input would be appreciated.
I just finished putting a 039 kit on my 029, so don't see much use in keeping the 038

 

[stihltech]

Not necessarily rare in it's day, more so now. Replaced the 041. Same power but faster. Nice saw with a 20 inch bar. Came in Super and Magnum sizes also. Great firewood saw.

 

[DONLAWSON84]

When I look at ones online, they are made in brazil and USA. Searching around it seems the 038 were made 1980-1993. I thought it was odd the serial number says made in Germany in 1977, not sure is this was an import or just an early model.

 

[pioneerguy600]

Stihl serial numbers do not denote the year it was made.

 

[Wood Doctor]

OP said, "I just finished putting a 039 kit on my 029, so don't see much use in keeping the 038."
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I do. The 038 is a professional saw. The 039 is a clamshell. I never should have sold my 038, but I did to a good friend who has been using it for nearly ten years.

 

[DONLAWSON84]

Stihl serial numbers do not denote the year it was made.

This is where I got the year information from the serial number

workshoppist.com/decoding-stihl-chainsaw-serial-and-part-numbers/

 

[DONLAWSON84]

OP said, "I just finished putting a 039 kit on my 029, so don't see much use in keeping the 038."
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I do. The 038 is a professional saw. The 039 is a clamshell. I never should have sold my 038, but I did to a good friend who has been using it for nearly ten years.

I have been running the 029 with a 20" bar for 5 years and love it, I even used that setup and carved a 12" hollow boat from a cherry log for my kids. I think the saw has great balance and power

 

[pioneerguy600]

This is where I got the year information from the serial number

workshoppist.com/decoding-stihl-chainsaw-serial-and-part-numbers/

That site can be a year or two off, even Stihl themselves have a difficult time determining year of manufacture. Often they rely on the saw was sold if it was registered. According to Stihl some of my saws were made more than 3 years after I purchased them, I think they were going by when the saws were sold, not made.

 

[DONLAWSON84]

I ended up listing the saw on eBay Monday, seemed like a decent saw with the metal casing and all but don't need a 3rd saw.
What I really need is a top handle saw